You currently do not have JavaScript enabled in your web browser.
The ABA website relies on JavaScript for display purposes.
To fully experience the ABA site, please enable javascript.
American Bar Association

ABA Career Counsel
Your Career Partner on the Web


Attorney By Attorney
Career Profiles of the Profession

Who?

Jaylene Sarracino
Partner
j_sarracino@yahoo.com

 

What?

Primary Practice Area & Subspecialty Fields:
Intellectual Property, international, and general.

When?

Years in the Practice Area:
Since 1997

Years in the Legal Profession:
Since 1997

Where?

Employer:
Law Offices of Raju-Sarracino

Size/Sector:
Small law firm

City/State:
Washington, D.C.

Law School:
University of New Mexico School of Law


Undergraduate School/Degree:
University of New Mexico, Criminal Justice
Why?

Pluses/Challenges of Practice Area:
Many employment opportunities in International Law are project-based, so it can be difficult to experience longevity with a given employer. However, the variety can be energizing and there is never an end to the interesting work that can be done in this area of law.

Core Skills/Key Knowledge Needed in Your Practice Area:
Understanding Administrative Law as it relates to foreign policy.

Advice to Lawyers and Law Students Interested in Your Practice Area:
Join your local chapter of the United Nations Association. They are non-profit, community-based organizations that support the United Nations. They host many high-level events and the members are politically involved in all aspects of international law and business. Getting involved will give you access to many professional networking opportunities.

How?

Career Path to Current Position:

  • Spent a semester in London with the University of Detroit Mercy
  • Worked as a Research Assistant with a member of the International Law Commission
  • Took a Department of State Internship
  • Worked overseas as Of Counsel during 1999-2000.

Influences and Mentors:

  • Dr. Linda Spedding, British Solicitor & Author,
  • Gudmundur Eirikson, Legal Advisor to Iceland & Member to the International Law Commission of the UN (c.1995),
  • Bill Richardson, US Representative to the United Nations (c.1996) (& former Congressman from New Mexico)
  • Ted Parnall, former Dean, University of New Mexico, International Law Consultant

Suggested Reading About Your Practice Area:
Books and writings by and about Eleanor Roosevelt.

Job Search Techniques Used in Finding Your Position(s):
Make a personal connection with the person that has the power to hire you. Share your original opinions about at least one current event/controversy/philosophy in international affairs.

Bar Affiliations and Activities:

  • American Bar Association:
  • Maryland State Bar Association
  • Bar of the District of Columbia

Recent Professional Publications:

How to File a Trademark in a Foreign Country, by the US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration's Export America (March 2001)

Recent Professional Presentations:

Panel Member, Outgoing Student Orientation, US-Israel Fulbright Office (Spring 2000)

Memorable Career Moment:

Attending a speech by then UN Secretary Boutrous Boutrous-Ghali during law school (Spring 1995)
Intriguing Interests:

Trend-spotting.