Harold Hongju Koh is a renowned American lawyer and academic who has had a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors. Born on December 8, 1954, in Boston, Massachusetts, Koh is the son of Korean immigrants and grew up in a family that valued education and public service. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1975 and went on to earn his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1980, where he was a Harvard Law Review editor.
Academic Career at Yale
Koh began his academic career at Yale Law School in 1985, where he quickly established himself as a leading expert in international law and human rights. He served as the Gerard C. and Bernice Latrobe Smith Professor of International Law and was the director of the Orville H. Schell Jr. Center for International Human Rights at Yale Law School. During his time at Yale, Koh taught a range of courses, including international law, human rights, and transnational litigation. He was also a pioneering scholar in the field of international human rights law, publishing numerous articles and books on the subject.
Notable Publications and Awards
Koh has written extensively on international law and human rights, and his publications include “The Trump Administration and International Law” and “Transnational Legal Process”. He has also received numerous awards for his work, including the American Society of International Law’s Manley O. Hudson Medal and the Yale Law School’s Yale Law Journal Award. In addition, Koh has been a visiting professor at several universities, including Harvard, Stanford, and New York University.
| Notable Position | Year |
|---|---|
| Gerard C. and Bernice Latrobe Smith Professor of International Law | 1993-2009 |
| Dean of Yale Law School | 2004-2009 |
| Legal Adviser to the U.S. Department of State | 2009-2013 |
Public Service and International Law
In addition to his academic career, Koh has had a distinguished career in public service. From 2009 to 2013, he served as the Legal Adviser to the U.S. Department of State, where he played a key role in shaping U.S. foreign policy and international law. During his time at the State Department, Koh worked on a range of issues, including human rights, counterterrorism, and international humanitarian law. He was also a key player in the development of the U.S. government’s policy on targeted killings and drone strikes.
International Human Rights Law
Koh has been a leading advocate for international human rights law and has worked to promote human rights and the rule of law around the world. He has written extensively on the subject and has been a strong critic of human rights abuses. In addition, Koh has served as a member of the board of several human rights organizations, including Human Rights First and the International Justice Resource Center.
- Human Rights Watch: Koh has been a member of the board of Human Rights Watch and has worked to promote human rights and the rule of law around the world.
- International Justice Resource Center: Koh has served as a member of the board of the International Justice Resource Center and has worked to promote international justice and human rights.
- American Society of International Law: Koh has been a member of the American Society of International Law and has served as a president of the organization.
What is Harold Koh’s most notable contribution to international law?
+Harold Koh’s most notable contribution to international law is his work on transnational legal process, which has helped to shape the field of international law and promote human rights and the rule of law around the world.
What is Harold Koh’s current role at Yale Law School?
+Harold Koh is currently the Sterling Professor of International Law at Yale Law School, where he continues to teach and write on international law and human rights.
