Job Description

Summary
Sidley Austin is a global, full service firm with 2,300 lawyers practising on four continents (North America, Europe, Asia and Australia). We are committed to providing practical solutions and value-added legal services in each matter on which we work.
Established in May 2002, Sidley's Geneva office is home to top-ranked international commercial arbitration, international trade, life sciences and ESG practices. Our lawyers are qualified in both civil and common law jurisdictions, and our team includes a diverse set of experienced lawyers, policy advisers, analysts and economists.
The International Policy Intern will support the Sidley team by analyzing global policy developments, conducting policy research, monitoring legislative and regulatory changes, and contributing to client-facing and internal work products. This internship is ideal for students interested in international trade policy and law, public international law and diplomacy, global economic policy, and regulatory affairs.
The intern will have the opportunity to work closely with lawyers, policy advisors, and other subject-matter experts on issues including trade compliance and export controls, supply chain management, global health policy, intellectual property management, technological innovation and technology transfer, along with negotiations at global institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Duties and Responsibilities
The International Policy Intern must possess the experience and knowledge required to provide substantive analysis and recommendations about proceedings at WHO, WIPO, and WTO.
Research & Analysis

• Conduct research on laws and regulations, negotiations, and policy developments, notably in relation to intellectual property and innovation, public health, and trade.
• Prepare written memos, comparative regulatory analyses, and issue summaries for internal teams and clients.
• Support the development of policy recommendations and analysis for client advisories, newsletters, and thought leadership publications.

Policy & Legislative Monitoring

• Track relevant activities and publications, negotiations, legislative and regulatory proposals and changes, and other developments at the national, regional, and global levels.
• Participate in meetings at Geneva-based international organizations (notably, WHO, WIPO, and WTO) and prepare meeting reports and analysis for internal teams and clients.
• Support internal teams and clients to identify and engage with relevant policy developments and processes in Geneva.

Client & Project Support

• Assist in preparing presentations, reports, and other materials for client engagement and/or internal strategy sessions.
• Help review public comments, regulatory filings, and submissions to select governments and Geneva-based international organizations.
• Contribute to due diligence projects involving export controls, sanctions compliance, and global trade risk assessments.

Cross-Team Collaboration

• Participate in team meetings, roundtables, and training sessions on trends in international trade, intellectual property and innovation, global public health policy, and other areas.
• Collaborate with lawyers, economists and subject matter experts.

Qualifications
Candidates are required to have a Master's degree, or higher, in International Law (with a focus on international trade) or Economics. The post also requires a native- or equivalent-level of both spoken and written English.
In addition to the above, candidates are expected to possess the following:

• Well-developed research, analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail;
• A high level of discretion and confidentiality, with good judgment;
• An ability to prioritize, to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and to respect deadlines on short- and long-term projects;
• A collaborative approach to work, with an exceptional ability to work as part of teams;
• A proven ability to communicate effectively, particularly in writing.

Skills Required