SCU School of Law Student Clerked with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in San Jose, Costa Rica

Jessica Tillson (2L) returned from a summer clerkship with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in San Jose, Costa Rica.  Selection is highly competitive, and she shared her clerkship with students from other top law schools from the United States, Canada,  and Latin America.  Ms. Tillson is the third student from Santa Clara to clerk for the Court.  Recent graduate Elizabeth Wheeler also clerked in the summer of 2004, and Esmeralda Lopez is clerking in the spring semester of 2006.

The Court hears claims for violations of human rights against member states.  The claims arise under the American Convention on Human Right, related human rights treaties, and general international law.  The Court usually sits in panels of 7 or 8  highly qualified judges drawn from the member countries.  Ms. Tillson, who is fluent in Spanish, reviewed evidence, researched issues, and drafted documents for the Court.  The clerkships are overseen by Prof. Beth van Schaack and Prof. Robert W. Peterson.

To earn academic credit for her work, Ms. Tillson enrolled in the Judicial Externship.  She participated in the Judicial Externship Seminar from Costa Rica via web cam–a first for the Law School.

You may visit the Court’s web site at www.corteidh.or.cr

Students who are fluent in Spanish, have an interest or background in Human Rights, and are interested in applying, should contact Meher Bharucha, Program Coordinator, in our overseas office at mbharucha@scu.edu or call (408) 551-3000,  extension 6445.