Students graduating from the UCLA School of Law will hear one last bit of legal advice, before embarking on their own careers, from one of the most prominent lawyers in the field of international law.
Stephen Rapp, the U.S. State Department’s ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues, was chosen to deliver the commencement address for UCLA’s 2010 law school graduates.
The ceremony will take place on May 7 in Dickson Court North at 3:30 p.m.
“(Rapp) is a terrific fit for our school,” said Stephen Yeazell, interim dean of UCLA School of Law. “We have a lot of students interested in international law, and he’s our country’s foremost lead figure when it comes to it.”
Rapp has an extensive background in law, having served as a United States district attorney in Iowa and the chief prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Before assuming the position of ambassador-at-large, Rapp was responsible for convicting those involved in the genocides and sex slave trades of Rwanda and Sierra Leone.
He also led the prosecution against Charles Taylor, the former Liberian president accused of crimes against humanity.
In September 2009, President Obama appointed Rapp to the position of ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues.
Although Rapp’s work does revolve around war crimes in volatile regions of the world, students will still be able to relate to his experiences, said David Kaye, executive director of the UCLA International Human Rights Program.
“In a lot of ways, (Rapp) is a perfect commencement speaker because of the work he has done over the years,” Kaye said. “What he does is very much in the mainstream of what lawyers do, but he is also very public interest oriented, which is what (the UCLA School of Law) is all about.”
Several students said they were pleased with the selection for this year’s commencement address.
“Rapp seems to be doing a lot of important work right now, and we (students) need that type of person to give us encouragement and broaden our legal horizons,” said Jarin Jackson, a third-year law student.
According to Kaye, much of Rapp’s job involves thinking from a global perspective.
“Rapp prosecuted those who were accused of genocide,” Kaye said. “He is the one in charge of thinking about questions like, “˜How does the U.S. assist in bringing justice to Sudan?'”
Rapp’s stories will be a valuable asset, Kaye said, especially for graduating students who have an interest in international law.
“Having somebody like Ambassador Rapp come here is really a capstone for those students who care about international justice,” he said.