In 2004, Monica Hakimi had a unique opportunity as an attorney-adviser in the Office of the Legal Adviser of the U.S. Department of State: She worked with local authorities in Iraq to set up a property claims commission.
The commission was intended to help Iraqis reclaim their expropriated land after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Hakimi stayed in Hussein’s former palace in the secured “green zone” (for civilian protection) and got a first-hand look at the complex situation on the ground.
“Once Hussein was overthrown, people started returning to their expropriated properties to reclaim their land, and some of these people were resorting to violent self-help measures against the current occupiers,” she said. “The United States and its allies set up the commission to provide a legal venue to resolve the outstanding claims. But of course, the commission had to have legitimacy among the local population to work.”
The property claims commission in Iraq eventually disintegrated due to the intense political disagreements between groups in the country. Hakimi returned to the United States to continue her work at the State Department, on projects ranging from civil aviation to international investment disputes.
Hakimi now is professor of law and associate dean for academic programming in the Law School. Her passion for international affairs and problem solving started as an undergrad.
As a student at Duke University, Hakimi created her own major in public policy and psychology and studied abroad in Costa Rica. Before entering law school, she spent a year teaching English in Ecuador. These experiences abroad pushed Hakimi to further explore international law.
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“I went on to law school not sure exactly what I wanted to do. It was much more interesting than I thought it would be,” she said.
As associate dean for academic programming, Hakimi has a full plate, balancing her research, teaching and student support.
“I have a very good balance between the research, the teaching, and working with students; the administrative work can actually be rewarding,” she said.
Hakimi’s current research focuses on the use of armed force in international law and on how international law handles conflict more generally.
Q&A
What moment in the classroom stands out as the most memorable?
I’ll tell you what would be the most memorable: I once saw a trained bald eagle named Challenger fly around a football stadium while “God Bless America” played in the background. I would love to reproduce that experience on the first day of my foreign affairs class. But alas, Challenger’s retainer fee is too high.
What can’t you live without?
My morning coffee.
What is your favorite spot on campus?
The Law Quad (at dusk).
What inspires you?
People who overcome great adversity.
What are you currently reading?
I have a large stack of New Yorkers by my bed. I am also finally reading Haruki Murakami’s “Norwegian Wood.”
Who had the biggest influence on your career path?
No one person. Lots of people have influenced my path in different ways.
