Rutgers Law Alumna Selected for Competitive UN Internship in Geneva

Elaine Robbins ’26 has been selected for a competitive internship with the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, where she will work for four months this fall on international human rights issues at the Petitions Section of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. She is the first Rutgers Law student to be selected for this internship and one of only nine candidates that the UN selected from more than 600 applications. 

Robbins will contribute to ongoing work on international human rights at the United Nations while gaining practical experience in multilateral diplomacy, legal research, and international policymaking. The internship will allow her to collaborate with practitioners and experts from around the world and observe the work of the UN’s human rights mechanisms up close.

“I am thrilled to see one of our students joining the UN ranks,” said Center for Transnational Law Director and Professor Jorge Contesse, who also serves as a member of the UN Committee against Torture. “We are incredibly proud to see her represent Rutgers Law in Geneva. This is what transnational legal education is about.”

While at Rutgers Law, Robbins developed a strong interest in international human rights law. She enrolled in courses taught by Professor Contesse and later served as his teaching assistant, working on matters concerning the prohibition against torture under international human rights law. She also took the practicum course in spring 2025 where students traveled with Professor Contesse to the UN in Geneva for a firsthand look at international human rights in action.

“I have always been curious about the global rule of law and the inner working mechanisms of it,” she said. “While in law school, I took many internationally focused courses that grew my interest and understanding of international law as a field. These opportunities have helped shape me into the person I am today and my passion for international law.”

Robbins added that the internship represents an important step toward a career in international law and public service. Her selection highlights both her accomplishments and the growing opportunities available to Rutgers Law students seeking to make an impact beyond national borders.

The internship is supported by the Sylvia Lopez International Public Interest Fellowship and made possible through the Center for Transnational Law at Rutgers Law School, which expands opportunities for students and recent graduates to pursue international legal training and careers in global public service.

“Elaine’s selection for this prestigious internship reflects our strategic vision of expanding global engagement and fostering the next generation of lawyers who will make a meaningful impact on communities around the world,” said Rutgers Law Dean Johanna Bond. “We are thrilled to see her contribute to critical international human rights work and know she will represent our community with distinction.”

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