Legal Education and Development (LEAD) Fellowship Program for Tajikistan

Education, International Education, Eurasia

The Legal Education and Development (LEAD) Fellowship Program for Tajikistan provides master’s level study of law in the United States for current resident citizens of Tajikistan.

The purpose of the program is to strengthen rule of law culture in Tajikistan by providing exceptional legal professionals with a broader understanding of comparative systems of law and increased opportunities to discuss both Tajik and U.S. law.

LEAD is a program of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the U.S. Department of State and is implemented by ABA ROLI and IREX.

Information for Applicants

Information for LEAD STEP Applicants

Goals

Through an intensive legal educational and cultural exchange, legal professionals from Tajikistan will do the following:

• Expand their understanding of the judicial system and legal culture in the United States.

• Gain exposure to core values of the American legal profession.

Background

As Tajikistan’s system of educating future legal professionals continues to mature, there remains a need for greater understanding and exposure to the judicial systems of Tajikistan and other countries. LEAD provides an opportunity for broader understanding of comparative systems, and increased opportunities to experience and discuss the systems of Tajikistan and the United States. Program participants return to Tajikistan better able to contribute to the strengthening of rule of law culture.

Project Activities

In the United States, LEAD Fellows pursue a one-year master of laws (LLM) degree program at an ABA-accredited law school, collaborate with a mentor from the American Bar Association, participate in a volunteer community service project, and gain professional experience and skills during a full-time summer internship.