Public International Law

Overview

AGG’s Public International Law practice advises governments, sovereign entities, and private clients on matters involving treaty rights and obligations, state responsibility, sovereign and diplomatic immunity, and the interaction of international law with U.S. domestic law. We assist clients in assessing legal risk, developing strategy, and navigating complex issues that arise in international law, public policy, and cross-border business.

Our attorneys have advised governments on treaty negotiation and reform and counseled clients on a broad range of public international law issues. The team regularly counsels on matters involving international investment, trade, and diplomacy, including the legal dimensions of climate change, environmental standards in investment disputes, cultural heritage and cultural property law, international sanctions, international economic law, and human rights proceedings before regional bodies.

We also advise clients on consequential matters at the forefront of international law, high-stakes diplomacy, investment, trade, and human rights, including the international legal dimensions of climate change, environmental standards in investment disputes, cultural heritage and cultural property law, gender and human rights before regional bodies, international sanctions and international economic law. Drawing on our experience in government service, international dispute resolution, and public international law practice, AGG provides practical, strategic counsel on matters where legal, political, and diplomatic considerations converge.

Experience

  • Advised the Republic of Uzbekistan on the development of its model Bilateral Investment Treaty and related domestic laws and delivered annual government training programs on investment treaty arbitration and U.S. law to the Ministry of Justice.*
  • Advised the Republic of Kazakhstan on improving existing BIT texts and delivered capacity training for government officials.*
  • Advised the Republic of Turkmenistan on reforms to its foreign investment law (USAID-sponsored project).*
  • Advised small island and developing states on legal strategy and negotiating positions in UN COP climate negotiations.*
  • Advised Afghan human rights defenders, in coordination with the Atlantic Council Strategic Litigation Project, on efforts to codify the crime of gender apartheid and advance accountability for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.*
  • Filed amicus brief before the Inter-American Human Rights Commission challenging U.S. felony disenfranchisement laws on behalf of the UN Working Group on People of African Descent.*
  • Advised the Republic of Slovakia on international law implications on contemplate health insurance industry reforms.*
  • Advised the U.S. State Department on international disputes risks under the U.S.-Canada Kootenay River Treaty of dam closing projects to protect endangered species.*

*Representative matters handled while practicing at another law firm.

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