ILSA Student Directors – International Law Students Association

What is a Student Director?

Every spring, ILSA’s Board of Directors selects three law students from around the world to serve as Student Directors. Student Directors serve as ILSA Board Members and attend ILSA’s Board of Directors meetings (in person or by conference call), and communicate with schools in their region to help improve and increase participation in the Jessup Competition and other ILSA programming. Student Directors are also invited to attend the Jessup International Rounds in Washington, DC and potentially other events. Modest financial support for travel to these events is provided by ILSA. Terms begin in the summer and run for a period of one year.

Who is eligible to be a Student Director?

To be eligible to become a Student Director, one must be a current law student, and remain a law student during their term of service on ILSA’s Executive Board. Student Directors are eligible for re-selection so long as they remain students.

How do I apply?

The application process opens typically around the start of the calendar year. To apply, submit your curriculum vitae and a personal statement describing your reasons for seeking to serve as a Student Director. Applicants may also choose to include statement(s) of support from a third party (maximum of two). Students may nominate themselves or be nominated by another. ILSA’s board of directors will announce the Student Director selections in the Spring. Please email [email protected] with any questions regarding the application or selection process.

How are candidates evaluated?

Candidates are reviewed by a committee of ILSA Board Members and voted on by the entire Board at the Spring Meeting. Student Directors are evaluated according to the following criteria:

The commitment of the candidates to ILSA’s goals and to international legal education;
The competence and skills demonstrated by the candidates in their other activities;
The undertakings of the candidates that, absent an unanticipated emergency, they will in fact commit to completing their terms of office if they are selected; and
The need for the leadership of the ILSA to reflect the diversity of its constituencies, in terms of geography, nationality, background, ethnicity, gender, religion, culture, and other variables.

2026-2027 Student Directors

Lloyd Hero B. Abuan – Tarlac State University School of Law (Philippines)

Lloyd is currently a Juris Doctor student at Tarlac State University School of Law in the Philippines. He serves as President of the TSU Law Moot and Debate Society, where he has led the development of a structured advocacy program and strengthened institutional partnerships. He has been actively involved in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition as an oralist and Team Captain for three consecutive years, and has also competed in and mentored national and international debate and moot court competitions. Beyond mooting, Lloyd serves on the Editorial Board of Juris Experientia and is an active law student practitioner at the Marc Andrei Marcos Legal Aid Center. He has participated in legal aid and youth advocacy initiatives and currently serves as a parliamentarian at the 13th National Youth Parliament of the Philippines. As an ILSA Student Director, he aims to expand regional outreach, strengthen mentorship for emerging law schools, and promote global connectivity in international legal education.

Joy Azu – University of Calabar (Nigeria)

Joy Azu is a law student at the University of Calabar in Nigeria. She previously served as Vice President of the International Law Association within her institution, where she played a key role in strengthening student engagement in international legal discourse. Beyond academics, she has contributed to international initiatives, including serving as a Legal Intern with the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ).

She is the Founder of The LawForge, a fast-growing initiative redefining how international law is taught, understood, and experienced by students. Through innovative programming and cross-border collaborations, the initiative equips students with the tools to think beyond the classroom and engage meaningfully with global legal issues.

An active mooter, Joy has participated in prestigious competitions such as the John H. Jackson WTO Moot Court Competition, among others. Her work reflects a deep commitment to building a generation of globally conscious legal professionals by expanding access to quality legal education and fostering meaningful international connections.

Carol Orbegoso – Universidad Nacional de Trujillo (Peru)

Carol Orbegoso joins the ILSA board as a Student Director. Carol is currently a senior law student at the Universidad Nacional de Trujillo in Peru, where she has maintained strong academic performance in public international law. During her exchange studies at the University of Granada in Spain, she received Highest Honors in Victimology. Her strong interest and passion for international law are reflected in her involvement in research and participation in academic conferences, including her recognition as a recipient of the Jean Monnet Prize for Young Researchers. Her distinguished participation in international competitions includes the 50th Edition of the Jean Pictet Competition, as well as serving as Team Coordinator and oralist of the first Peruvian team to qualify twice for the oral rounds of the Nuremberg Moot Court, in 2024 and 2025, achieving 4th place worldwide in the written phase in 2025. She is currently coaching a new team for the 2026 edition. As Academic Coordinator of the International Studies Program at her university, Carol promotes academic initiatives and competitions, including organizing the first International Criminal Law Moot Court in English at her faculty, focused on sexual and gender-based crimes. She is also the co-founder of Peru’s first Women’s Criminal Law Association, aimed at promoting the empowerment of women students in the legal field. She is currently a legal intern at APRODEH, a human rights NGO in Peru recognized for its work addressing serious violations during the country’s internal armed conflict. Carol is committed to promoting international legal education among students from underrepresented communities and generating impact for new generations.

31 July 2026	Anticipated Release of Official Jessup Rules National Rules Supplements will be posted as they become available.
3 August 2026	Team Registration Opens
15 September 2026	Anticipated Release of the Jessup Problem
7 October 2026	Anticipated Launch of Basic Materials All Basic Materials will be posted to the ILSA’s website, and materials will be added from time to time over the course of the Jessup season. Teams are encouraged to continue checking the Basic Materials webpage for updates.
17 October 2026	Deadline for Requests from Teams for Corrections and Clarifications to the Jessup Problem Requests must be submitted through the online form found on your Team’s Home Page.
6 November 2026	Deadline for Eligibility Inquiries This is the last day on which individuals may request the Executive Office’s special permission to compete under Official Rule 2.4.
17 November 2026	Anticipated Release Date of Corrections and Clarifications to the Jessup Problem
20 November 2026	Deadline for Registration, Payment, and Submission of Team Roster This is the last day on which teams may register as well as submit the names of their team members and advisors. In addition, all teams must have submitted payment by this date or risk disqualification.
12 January 2027	Deadline for Submission of Memorials If a Team fails to submit its Applicant and Respondent Memorials by this day, the Team will be disqualified from the Competition. Memorials must be submitted to the Executive Office in accordance with the Official Rules. A National Supplement to the Official Rules may impose additional submission requirements. It is the responsibility of teams to understand the submission requirements of the Official Rules and of their National Rules Supplement, if any, which are posted on ILSA’s website.
January – March 2027	National & Friendly Rounds Teams from jurisdictions with more than one team registered must take part in Qualifying Rounds. National and Friendly Rounds may take place virtually or in-person. Advancing Teams will go on to compete in the White & Case International Rounds.