Elon Law students engage foreign diplomats in nation’s capital

“While on the trip to Washington, I was struck by the sense of legal cooperation that is required in foreign diplomacy,” said Jason Pruett, Class of 2017. “Both of the delegates with whom we had the opportunity to meet and converse discussed the importance of understanding foreign laws, cultures and even adversities in order to assist their native countries and governments in participating in global cooperation efforts.”

The following Elon Law students participated in the embassies trip to Washington, D.C.: Kelsey Mattison Chilton, Anne Evangelista, Landon Hodges, Jason Pruett, Adam Roberts, Rene Russell, Meghan Smith, Gonzalo Ventura and Ebony Vincent.

“These students represented Elon Law well, offering thoughtful questions and commentary, and displaying an impressive knowledge and interest in global issues,” said Elon Law Professor Antonette Barilla.

“The trip was very eye opening, revealing how much legal interaction the U.S. has with some foreign countries,” said Anne Evangelista, Class of 2016. “My favorite conversation was with a diplomat who explained differences in our criminal justice systems and how different countries handle legal matters involving citizens abroad.”

Pruett offered further reflection about the trip:

“The delegates discussed the transformation of embassies in light of technological advances; embassies used to be vital in conversing and representing the needs and desires of their countries, while today the internet has enabled a more global society. Through the use of technology, delegates have the ability to almost instantaneously converse with their government’s leaders.

“As a future attorney, I was struck by the term ‘ambassador’ and what it truly means for lawyers: like the delegates we met, as international attorneys or even local attorneys, our job is to become engaged with our surroundings, represent our clients and then assist clients in becoming engaged themselves with those same surroundings. As attorneys, but especially when participating in international law, we become the eyes, ears and voices of clients and countries – a heavy responsibility, but one that allows us to gain a variety of other perspectives which we can then use to shape the way we think and operate as attorneys.”

The Elon Law group ended their trip, first at the French Embassy with lunch in the private dining hall, followed by a visit to the United States Supreme Court. Victoria Hinton, Class of 2016, contributed significantly to planning and organization of the Elon Law embassies trip to the nation’s capital.