A NEWLY qualified lawyer from Denton has secured a job at a London law firm after completing a university degree in America with Rotary support.
James Brown said the opportunity across the pond has “changed my life entirely”.
In 2021, James was sponsored by Tameside Rotary and a Rotary International Global Grant to study for a Master of Law Degree at the University of Michigan Law School.
When based in the States, he took on various research roles in international law – specifically around human rights violations and rebuilding after conflict.
James then completed an internship at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, acting as Legal Assistant to Commissioner, Galvao Teles, of the International Law Commission.
After completing his degree, he worked as a paralegal for over a year but then decided to further develop his interest in human rights.
To do this, James needs to become a regulated lawyer and, following a tough recruitment process, has now clinched a job at A&O Shearman, London, which is due to begin this summer.
However, not being one to rest on his laurels, James seized an opportunity at the start of this year to expand his expertise and he’s currently spending a semester at Columbia University in New York to study an educational programme, based at the Centre for Public Research and Leadership, intersecting law with policy and governance.
“Human rights is just as much about policy as it is law,” James explained. “Sometimes policy is required to change the laws and frameworks that exist but are failing”.
It is hoped that the short programme at Columbia will add to James’s knowledge and provide a further springboard to advance his career in humanitarian law.
When signing off his last message to the Rotary, James said: “I wanted to thank everyone at Tameside Rotary again as none of this would be happening without Rotary. It has changed my life entirely and I owe everything to you.”
Cliff Hall, Tameside Rotarian, Foundation and International Lead, said: “We are always delighted to hear from James and feel very proud that our club and the Rotary Foundation have played such an important role in his career development.
“We would encourage others who may be interested in, and eligible for, scholarships to explore the opportunities afforded by Rotary International.”
Rotary International, through the Rotary Foundation and Clubs, invest in future leaders and philanthropists by funding a range of scholarships.
In James’s case, his extensive voluntary work, passion and interest in humanitarian rights qualified him to be fully sponsored as a Peace-building and Conflict Prevention Scholar.
Scholarships last from one to four years and can include an entire degree programme. More details can be found at www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/scholarships