Paul R. Williams

Experience

1. Co-founder

   Public International Law & Policy Group

   Jan 1995 — Present

   The Public International Law & Policy Group, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, is a non-profit organization, which operates as a global pro bono law firm providing free legal assistance to states and governments involved in peace negotiations, drafting post-conflict constitutions, and prosecuting war criminals. To facilitate the utilization of this legal assistance, PILPG also provides policy formulation advice and training on matters related to conflict resolution. I have served an eclectic array of clients in over two dozen different peace negotiations, including the Darfuri rebel delegation to the Doha Peace talks, the Georgian government delegation to the Abkhaz peace talks, and the Somali Civil Society delegation to the Eldorett peace talks. I have contributed to the drafting of multiple complex, post-conflict constitutions, including the transition from a unitary to a federal system in Yemen, the crafting of a democratic constitution in Iraq, and the constitution marking the transition of Kosovo into a new independent state. I have a rare specialty in self determination and state succession, and have been engaged in structuring the legal approach to questions of self determination, state succession and territorial integrity in over two dozen different instances. I frequently travel to the countries where PILPG practices, meeting clients in the environments that often shape their approach to, and understanding of peace processes. I have put my briefcase on the ground in over 50 different countries throughout the course of my career. Since founding PILPG, I have personally mentored over 700 young professionals in the field of Public international law and peacebuilding.

Education

• UC Davis

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Highest Honors, Political Science

  1987 — 1990

• University of Cambridge

  Ph.D

  1993 — 1996

• Stanford University Law School

  Doctor of Law (JD), Distinction

  1987 — 1990