NYC Bar Council on International Affairs

​Founded in 1870, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York emerged during a period when corruption had eroded public trust in the city's courts. Its founders aimed to restore judicial integrity by holding dishonest judges accountable. Today, the organization continues to strengthen the legal profession and advocate for reforms that advance the rule of law. To address the diverse areas of modern legal work, the Bar created specialized councils—enabling it to speak with expertise and authority across various fields of law.

The Council on International Affairs serves as the coordinating body for the City Bar's global work. This council brings together and aligns the activities of multiple international committees that focus on international law, foreign legal systems, comparative law, and human rights. Through this coordination, the Council reinforces the City Bar's role as a leading voice and convener on global legal issues. Its work advances the Bar's broader mission of promoting the rule of law and expanding access to justice across borders.

Regional committees are part of the operational network through which the Council carries out its work. These monitor specific parts of the world and handle relationship building, policy analysis, justice issues, and development tracking. The Middle Eastern & North African Affairs Committee (MENA) serves lawyers who work on that region. MENA provides education to members and the public on social, legal, and policy matters affecting the area. Its African Affairs Committee monitors legal and political changes across the continent. It builds sustained relationships through direct engagement with African jurists, government officials, and legal institutions.

The European Affairs Committee unites practitioners and academics to examine issues related to European law and policy. The Asian arm covers legal, political, and economic development across East, Southeast, South, and Central Asia. The Inter-American Affairs Committee focuses on the Western Hemisphere, investigating cross-border issues and transactions, promoting human rights and the rule of law in Latin America, and strengthening ties with regional leaders and institutions.

The Council also works in partnership with several committees addressing cross-border legal issues. The Immigration & Nationality Law Committee evaluates U.S. policies through an international perspective, focusing on matters such as non-citizen detention, immigration legislation, and asylum-based human rights protections. The Vance Center for International Justice mobilizes lawyers worldwide to advance justice, with members from law firms, the judiciary, and NGOs, who fund and direct projects that promote human rights and pro bono work globally. The International Commercial Disputes Committee handles conflicts between international parties, emphasizing dispute resolution through arbitration and cross-border litigation, and serving as a bridge between different legal systems.

To engage experts, practitioners, and the public on pressing global issues, the Council hosts events, panels, symposia, and other gatherings. Rule of law discussions, such as Ukraine: Responses to Atrocity Crimes, unite legal experts to explore accountability mechanisms and the role of international law in addressing war crimes. These events also foster networking and mentorship, helping to build a more inclusive and globally connected legal community.

The Council also partners with the diplomatic community, international NGOs, and peer bar associations to expand its reach and impact. These partnerships create spaces where law, diplomacy, and advocacy meet. This convergence allows the bar to address global challenges with a broader, more representative voice. In 2025, the City Bar partnered with the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York—the world's largest consular corps—to host a two-part program on immigration policy. This event brought together consuls general, immigration experts, leaders, and city officials.

Simone Monasebian

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