Season 4: Episode 4: Aura Guerrero

Legal Advisor on Food and Nutrition Policy at Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Aura Guerrero

Legal Advisor on Food and Nutrition Policy at Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

How can you leverage a BigLaw internship to transition into public interest law?

If you are looking to make the most of your LLM year, read Aura’s story. Dual-licensed in the New York and Mexico, Aura began her career at BigLaw as a bilingual paralegal at Covington & Burling, before pursuing her LLM at Georgetown. In the first semester, she secured an externship with the international arbitration group at Foley Hoag while working as a research assistant for the O’Neil Institute for National and Global Health Law. Now she’s legal adviser for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a NGO on human rights and a Global Health Advocacy Incubator.

Aura answered the questions in her interview:

When should the LLM students start the job search?

How to network effectively in law school to boost your chance of getting hired after graduation?

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What do you think is the greatest advantage of pursuing the LLM degree?

I think it really depends on your specific goals. You can tailor your LLLM to suit your objectives. For me, I chose a variety of subjects across different fields to get a broad overview. My main goal was to prepare for the bar exam, so I focused on subjects relevant to that, rather than public issues. Since I already had a master’s in human rights from my home country, I wanted something different, so I took seminars on anti-corruption and international arbitration.

One of the biggest advantages for the LLM is networking with your colleagues and professors. Your peers can provide valuable professional advice and opportunities. For example, I found my current job through connections I made with classmates at Georgetown.

If you are planning to take the bar exam, think about what’s important for that path. Review the main subjects tested and ensure you cover at least one or two of the more challenging topics. For example, you might consider subjects like torts or real property. It’s all about making the most of the resources and connections available to you.

Could you share your experience on how to secure internship and job opportunities? When should LLM students start their job search process?

Sure. I managed to balance my job search with my studies at Georgetown. I focused on securing an externship during my first semester.

In my first semester, I tried to network as much as possible, and I was involved in various organizations within Georgetown also outside, and I was involved in the Hispanic Bar Association of DC, which allowed me to meet professionals, that are Latin Americans and that had gone through similar experiences, or with whom I share a social background. And it allowed me to get to know like other career opportunities. Before joining Georgetown, I worked at a law firm. I got to meet various attorneys. I also reached out to Mexican attorneys that are already working in D.C. in various firms and fields and they always gave me good advice.

Could you tell us more about your work experience in the U.S. and how your previous positions in BigLaw led you to your current role at a NGO?

I had a professional background in Mexico, and when I moved to the US, I knew I wanted to try something different. Since I didn’t have an LLM at the time, I started as a paralegal at various US law firms. I wanted to gain experience in the private practice before pursuing my interest in public interest law.

I began with immigration law and then moved to Covington & Burling. My interest in international law, both public and private, was a driving force. At Covington, I worked on international arbitration and anti-corruption cases. I saw how human rights, anti-corruption, and international arbitration intersect.

Later I joined Foley Hoag as an extern because I was intrigued by a case where Philip Morris went up against Paraguay in an arbitration case. Paraguay had imposed restrictions on unhealthy products like tobacco, and it was fascinating to see how Foley Hoag successfully argued that Paraguay had the right to regulate business activities affecting public health.

Currently, I work in health law and focus on the impact of business activities on human rights, including issues related to marketing and the health effects of certain products. I also explore the rights of states to regulate these activities. My experience in both the private and public sectors has been valuable. Working in the private sector helps me understand arguments used in international arbitration and trade regulations, which are crucial for international health law.