There is a strong network of talented Australian lawyers in The Hague - the City of Peace, Justice and Security. So how can you become one of them? Alice Ramsay spoke to three successful lawyers to find out

Judith Levine

Judith Levine is one of six legal counsel at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), the world's oldest intergovernmental organisations devoted to the peaceful resolution of disputes through arbitration. Housed in the iconic Peace Palace, the PCA's recent caseload has encompassed arbitrations involving territorial, treaty, trade and human rights disputes between states, as well as commercial and investment disputes.

"One of the things that I love about this job is that it is different every day. Every case involves a different country, a different culture, different legal issues, and legal systems. A dispute may be civil war in Sudan over a boundary dispute, or a commercial dispute involving gold mines in Kyrgyzstan."

Levine's bio is impressive - she has a distinguished academic career (including BA/LLB with University Medal from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), and a Masters from New York University (NYU) on not one, but two prestigious scholarships. Her early career in Australia includes work as an adviser to the Australian Attorney-General, an associate to a High Court judge, and as a lecturer in contract law at UNSW.

After serving as a law clerk at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Levine was an attorney in the international arbitration group in the New York office of White & Case LLP.

Moving from New York to The Hague meant a big change in lifestyle, but it was a natural move professionally. As Legal Counsel, Levine's work involves "the best" of her work in private international practice and is made up of legal, organisational and educational elements. The work of the PCA combines a mix of public interest as well as private cases.

"I have moved between the two [public and private arenas] and this job has the best of both worlds."

Levine is unmistakably lit up as she describes her work and her colleagues.

"The calibre of my colleagues is extraordinary. I get to work with some of the most prestigious international lawyers in the world - I am often under the supervision and guidance of the most amazing jurists."

Most recently, Levine worked as the Registrar on the Abyei Arbitration, an arbitration between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement on delimiting the hotly contested oil-rich Abyei Area - the first arbitration of its kind involving an internal civil dispute. The timeframe was previously unimaginable - from constitution of the tribunal to rendering of the award in less than nine months.

And the result?

"A difference to world peace on the ground."

Melinda Taylor

Also making a difference of this magnitude is Melinda Taylor, Counsel, Office of the Public Counsel for the Defence at the International Criminal Court. The Office is the first of its kind and provides assistance and representation to defence teams at the ICC.

Taylor graduated in Arts/Law at university in Queensland, with a focus on international relations and political science. Despite being told at the end of her studies that there were, "no careers for international lawyers", she has gone on to achieve a remarkable international career.

Taylor was already active in the international legal scene in her early career as an intern at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague. She was travelling around Europe when the news arrived that she had been offered her latest opportunity. Much to the security guard's chagrin, she arrived quite literally wearing a backpack.

"He wouldn't let me put my backpack down!"

As Taylor describes her first months as an intern, she recalls: "I couldn't sleep - everything was new, most notably the law."

The cultural exchange was also novel, and provided different views and approaches to working in the law, as well as a wonderful chance to share and enjoy anecdotes from other parts of the world.

An internship may almost be described as a prerequisite to working in the UN system. In the area of international criminal law, there are few other opportunities to gain the practical experience of an internship.

"I would say almost everyone I know working in The Hague has done an internship. And certainly now when I am looking at applications, an internship is very favourably looked upon."

A Masters degree is also important in equipping yourself for an international legal career. (Taylor almost forgets to mention that she has a Masters from Oxford).

When asked about communicating in the international environment, Taylor explains that extra care must be taken when working with people who do not have English as their first language, and gives the following unforgettable example: "... during the trial of Slobodan Milosevic, I was explaining his detention rights to a group of Kosavar journalists. I gave the example that he did not have the right to conjugal visits. One journalist then asked me what 'conjugal' meant."

"As an Australian, I have noticed we can be a bit blunt compared to other cultures. I have had to learn to tone it down a bit."

Having another language is essential for a career in international law - in particular French. Arabic and Spanish are also highly valued.

When asked what she found most satisfying about her role, Taylor replied: " [it is] satisfying to follow cases and ensure that there is a fair trial."

"This is about a fair trial - for both sides. A defendant has a right to a fair trial. A victim has a right to the truth. There must be a fair trial for a judgement to have traction in local communities. If there is not a fair trial - if there is injustice - it can lead to future conflict."

Kirraley Bowles

Bowles describes herself as, "incredibly lucky". If that is so, then perhaps it is true that a person can make their own luck.

After a successful corporate legal career, Bowles sat down and made the decision to find her "dream career". And she has. How did she do it?

"It's a cliché," she says, "but be persistent. Although the process of forging a new career path can be disheartening at times, if you can deal with disappointment and delay, and be able to stay focussed, eventually an opportunity will present itself."

Farewelling a successful corporate career in Sydney and London, Bowles gained further qualifications in human rights from the London School of Economics, and a Masters in International Law and International Relations (with Distinction) in Brussels. While working on her dissertation on international criminal law and conflict resolution, she applied for, and was offered, an internship at the ICTY in the Office of the Prosecutor.

"To translate studies into a career in this area, an internship is essential."

"The internship made it clear to me that international criminal law was the area I wanted to be in. When you work for free for five months and can't wait to get to work each day, it is a clear indication that you are in the right area. I wasn't working for money or status, but because I was deeply committed to the field itself. And that was transformative."

Today Bowles is an Associate Legal Officer in the Office of the Prosecutor at the ICTY, working directly for the prosecutor and deputy prosecutor. The job involves a mix of legal and policy work, including legal research, drafting speeches, reports and conference papers.

"The role provides an overview of the different cases on trial and appeal, the tribunal's relationships with external stakeholders and its operations in context."

Bowles's enthusiasm for her work is intoxicating - she is living proof that doing what you love is good for you.