🎧 The Advocate Next Door: Scientist and International Law Enthusiast Lena Raxter

We meet Lena Raxter, writer, international law enthusiast, and winner of the winner of the 2025 Young ITA Writing Competition, during the 37th ITA Annual Conference and Workshop.

Lena shares her journey from studying veterinary science to obtaining JDs in Canada and the U.S. and an award-winning legal scholar. She discusses her paper on the Crimea cases dealing with the 2014 annexation by Russia, which has sparked scholarly debate on territorial jurisdiction in international law.

Lena recounts her diverse educational background, international experiences, and her path to law through American University. She emphasizes the importance of passion in a law career and shares insights from her multicultural perspective, as well as her love for animals.

STORY

00:00 Sound Check

00:18 Sleep Habits and Excel Skills

01:29 Winning the Writing Contest

03:09 The Crimea Cases and Territorial Jurisdiction

05:13 Journey to International Arbitration

05:25 From Vet Dreams to Law School

13:38 Navigating Law…