Leila Sadat

Leila Sadat is a scholar of Public International Law and human rights who holds the James Carr Professorship of International Criminal Law at Washington University School of Law. Her professional experience includes serving as Special Adviser on Crimes Against Humanity to the International Criminal Court Prosecutor from 2012 to 2023. In 2008 she launched The Crimes Against Humanity Initiative, a multi-year project focused on studying crimes against humanity and drafting a comprehensive international convention for their punishment and prevention, an effort in which she has spearheaded the international effort to establish a new global convention.

Sadat’s scholarly work is widely recognized for its focus on international criminal law. She has contributed significantly to the establishment and study of the International Criminal Court (ICC), having served as a delegate to the U.N. Preparatory Committee and the 1998 Diplomatic Conference in Rome that established the ICC. Her expertise covers a range of topics, including the law of crimes against humanity, the U.S. war on terror, and the use of force. She has authored or co-authored numerous publications, including *International Law: Cases and Commentary* and *Forging a Convention for Crimes Against Humanity*.

Beyond her work on international criminal law, Sadat has held leadership roles within international legal organizations. She was elected to membership in the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations in 2012 and was elected President of the American Branch of the International Law Association in 2018. She has also served as a Commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom from 2001 to 2003. Sadat has published over 100 articles, essays, and books, and is bilingual in French and English.