Interview with Professor David Akerson: International Criminal Law Practicum
The inspiration for this course, offered this semester at the Sturm College of Law, dates back to 2006, when Professor Akerson worked on case management systems for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda special tribunals. At the time, cases were managed through spreadsheets and Word tables, creating inconsistencies. The Chief Prosecutor asked Professor Akerson to implement a uniform system for complex international cases: one that could track team activities, submissions, and handle large volumes of evidence analytically.
In 2007, at DU’s Korbel School, Professor Akerson assembled a student team to continue to explore how case and evidence management systems could best be used. Over eight years, the idea evolved and has now taken shape as this semester’s practicum, with Professor Akerson returning as Visiting Assistant Professor of the Practice of Law. Technology has advanced, and the need for simple, AI-driven tools is urgent to document and safeguard massive amounts of evidence of war crimes. Drawing on his experience building investigative platforms for the UN to analyze atrocities committed by ISIS in Iraq, Professor Akerson partnered with Justice Rapid Response and the World Organization Against Torture to support three Ukrainian human rights groups in evidence collection.
Students in the practicum adapt existing tools to meet the constraints of field investigations. They assess strengths and weaknesses, demonstrate solutions, and recommend cost-effective options for organizations with limited resources.
“Students have the luxury of testing the limits of these technologies when we operate in a clinical environment. We don’t have the same type of pressure and obstacles that people can have in the field. We have time to develop and refine these ideas”, says Akerson.
Students begin with sample cases, then progress to real testimonies and evidence, learning to handle sensitive data ethically and securely under the “do no harm” principle. This hands-on work also simulates attorney-client relationships, preparing students for future practice.
All students receive foundational training in international criminal law and apply these principles and theories to real and current cases. Professor Akerson emphasizes that students value working with real-world tools when law school tends to focus on the theoretical. The practicum will expand into a year-long clinic, enabling successive cohorts to build and improve the system.
Beyond academic experience, the program opens professional doors: four students will intern remotely with NGOs and human rights organizations next year. As Akerson notes, technology not only supports justice and eases lawyers’ workloads but also creates new opportunities for DU students in international law.
