American University Washington College of Law

Thomas F. Morante ’77: A Global Legal Mind Shaped at AUWCL How international focus, language skills, and mentorship propelled a worldwide career.

AUWCL alum Thomas F. Morante ’77 exemplifies how an international mindset can transform a career. Read how AUWCL helped ignite his passion for international law and set the stage for a worldwide career: https://tinyurl.com/Tom-Morante-77

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YouTube video by pijipvideo Cox Communications, Inc. vs Sony Music Entertainment - IP at the Supreme Court Series

Watch the discussion here: youtu.be/R1vxL3si1V4

The @pijip.bsky.social at AUWCL hosted counsel of record and amici for post-argument insights on Cox v. Sony Music, a major IP case before the U.S. Supreme Court—part of an ongoing IP@SCOTUS series.

Prof. Sylvia Lu presented emerging regulatory approaches for agentic AI at the National Conference of State Legislatures. Her talk examined legal and societal harms associated with autonomous AI and outlined an innovation-oriented, harm-based legislative framework designed for state policymakers.

AUWCL faculty members are providing expertise on some of the most pressing issues across legal disciplines and current events. See where AUWCL faculty are making their mark in the media:

#ChampionWhatMatters

A person sitting at a desk speaking into a microphone at an event hosted by American University Washington College of Law. The desk displays various academic insignias and there's a banner with the word "Releg" in the background.

Participants at a workshop seated at tables with laptops in front of them, engaging in their tasks. A whiteboard in the background lists rules in Spanish about open space usage, emphasizing respect and collaboration.

Panel of eight people at a conference table, participating in a discussion at a "Rise" event, with banners displaying logos for the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and the Community College Innovation Challenge.

AUWCL hosted the 4th Discussion Roundtable on Strategic Litigation on Gender-Based Violence in Latin America.
Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/ReLeG-Roundtable
#ChampionWhatMatters #human #rights

We are proud to celebrate Professors Brenda Smith and Angi Porter (@angimaryssa.bsky.social) Porter, honored with Society of American Law Teachers (SALT) Teaching Awards for their extraordinary contributions to teaching, scholarship, and justice. #ChampionWhatMatters

PEEL Launches Fellowship to Bridge the Gap for New Environmental Lawyers Postgraduate Fellowship Provides Paid Legal Experience, Critical Mentorship, and Real-World Placements for 2025 Graduates

A new AUWCL fellowship is opening doors for aspiring environmental lawyers, providing mentorship, training, and support at a critical moment for the field. Explore the full story at tinyurl.com/PEEL-Fellows.
#ChampionWhatMatters #environmentallaw

AUWCL’s Kovler Project Against Torture student scholars took their research abroad, participating in the 83rd session of the UN Committee Against Torture. Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/KPAT-in-Geneva

The Shuker Scholarship Wine Tasting celebrated this year’s recipients, Josie Tarin (3L) and Jason Osorio (2L). Thanks to all who support the continued growth of the Shuker Scholarship Fund. See additional photos here: tinyurl.com/Shuker-Scholarship

Congratulations to AUWCL students Shannon Moloney (JD Candidate) and Shalala Valiyeva (SJD Candidate), recipients of the NCITD International Trade Scholarships. The scholarship supports students who show a strong commitment to international trade. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/NCITDScholarship

Ten AUWCL students supported the World Bank’s Law, Justice & Development Week, assisting with logistics & delegate guidance. As co-sponsor, AUWCL also featured Interim Dean Heather Hughes at a reception at the French Ambassador’s residence. Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/AUWCL-LJD-Week

Congrats to AUWCL’s ADRHS Arbitration team for winning the ABA Regional Arbitration Competition! Nicole Hurst (3L), Naziha Kabbani (2L), Jackie Vanacore (4L Evening), and David Stout (3L) will advance to the ABA National Competition in Chicago. Photos: tinyurl.com/ABA-ADRHS

AUWCL faculty are weighing in on some of the biggest issues we face today. From AI driven art theft to the future of the Supreme Court, here’s where faculty and staff made headlines recently:

7pm Nov 12, 2025 event with NYT Magazine staff writer, Emily Bazelon, hosted at American University

It's not too late to register! Join @rlswrites.bsky.social @jessicalwaters.bsky.social & me @americanuniversity tonight for what promises to be an illuminating conversation, traversing criminal law, judicial ethics & reproductive rights, with NYT Magazine staff writer Emily Bazelon. Details below:

After fifty years, Prof. Ira Robbins reflects on the journeys, challenges, and joys of teaching law. From the Model Penal Code to habeas corpus, his stories capture the students who shaped him, the lessons learned, and why he is still here. https://tinyurl.com/Robbins-50yrs

American University hosted a campus-wide Veterans Day celebration at the Washington College of Law, bringing together the AU community to honor those who have served under this year’s theme, “Service to Our Nation.”

Meet Daphne Singer ’26, championing creative freedom in IP law. At AUWCL, she's taken advantage of D.C. access, law review, study abroad, presented at AIPLA, written a NYT feature, and has a forthcoming article in the Richmond Journal of Law and Technology. Read: https://tinyurl.com/Daphne-Singer

Over the weekend, 33 law school teams from across the country competed in AUWCL’s Burton Wechsler First Amendment Moot Court Competition, arguing a case on the Establishment & Free Exercise Clauses. Read the story here: https://tinyurl.com/2025-Wechsler-Moot-Court

Join AUWCL’s Health Law & Policy Program and Gender, Theory, Law & Practice Program for “Preventing Stillbirth: Legal, Policy & Public Health Perspectives” on Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. Hear from experts in law, medicine & public health. Register today: https://tinyurl.com/FutureHealthcareSeriesFall2025

2025 Law, Justice & Development Week (LJD) at The World Bank American University Washington College of Law was proud to co-sponsor the 2025 Law, Justice & Development Week (LJD) at the World Bank, a global forum uniting law and development professionals to address legal challenges and advance solutions for sustainable progress. The week featured an invitation-only Deans of Law Faculties Dialogue moderated by Interim Dean Heather Hughes and participation from leaders across international organizations, government, academia, and civil society. A special thanks to our LL.M. students who supported the event. One of the week’s biggest highlights was an inspiring evening reception at the French Ambassador’s residence, celebrating collaboration and impact.

AUWCL co-sponsored the 2025 Law, Justice & Development Week at the World Bank, bringing together global leaders to advance legal solutions. Shout-out to our LLM students for their support. Highlights from the reception at the French Ambassador’s residence: tinyurl.com/AUWCL-LJD

Join AUWCL’s U.S. & International Anti-Corruption Law Program for the 2025 Frank H. Menaker Jr. Lecture on Corporate Integrity and Ethics on Nov. 13 at 4 PM with Mouhamadou Diagne, senior vice president for Integrity at the World Bank. Register: http://www.tinyurl.com/Menaker-Lecture-2025

Congrats to Decarceration and Re-entry Clinic students Ameerah Thomas and Brittany Walker, who represented their first client before the Maryland Parole Commission. Also pictured: Stanley Mitchell, director of Re-entry Services at L.I.V.E., and Professor Rachel Kamins

AU’s MFA in Creative Writing hosts an evening with Emily Bazelon, New York Times Magazine writer and Truman Capote Fellow at Yale Law School. Joined by Professors Rachel Louise Snyder and Jessica Waters. Nov. 12, 7 p.m., Kerwin T01 or via Zoom.
@aucollege.bsky.social @au-spa.bsky.social

The 2025 Cicchino Public Service Awards, recognizing students and alumni whose commitment to public interest reflects the legacy of Prof. Peter M. Cicchino (1960–2000), honored Shanti Martin Brown ’09, Elizabeth Lewis ’15, & Tabitha Pitzer ’26. See photos: tinyurl.com/2025-Cicchino-Awards

AUWCL congratulates alumna Diane Seltzer ’91 on being named one of Washingtonian’s Most Powerful Women in Washington 2025, recognized as a Legal Power for her leadership in employment law and service as President-Elect of the D.C. Bar. Full list: https://tinyurl.com/PowerfulWomenDC

AUWCL Fall Speaker Series brings top scholars to campus, including Spencer Overton, Steve Vladeck, Britney Wilson, Sarah Davila, and Ana Santos Rutschman, discussing issues from tech and democracy to civil rights and global health law.

YouTube video by American University Washington College of Law WCL Abroad in Geneva - Trade & IP

Law students took their studies global in Geneva! From the WTO & WIPO to learning from trade & IP experts, they earned credits on an accelerated schedule while exploring one of the world’s top hubs for law & business. Watch: https://youtu.be/IY1fottqzzc

YouTube video by American University Washington College of Law Championing Global Justice: AUWCL Alumna Puts Peacebuilding Skills to Work

Emma Brandon ’17, project officer at the International Nuremberg Principles Academy. credits AUWCL’s international training, the War Crimes Research Office, ICC Moot Court & Lawyering Peace for launching her path. In her own words: https://youtu.be/voCHPGI0a0c