The United States currently faces a defining moment for its relationship with international law, as we stand at the cusp of what President Obama has called a “new era of engagement.” The defining image of this new world is not a world divided by a Berlin Wall, but a globe connected by the World Wide Web. As America resumes its leadership role on the world stage, renewed respect for international law and institutions will be crucial to achieving our goals of peace, justice, and prosperity. In this new era, the Office of the Legal Adviser will play a critical role in the development of international law and policy, both at home and abroad.
This Essay discusses the organization of the Legal Adviser’s Office and the contemporary challenges the Legal Adviser faces in playing four key roles within the Obama Administration: counselor, conscience, defender, and spokesperson.
