Interview with Lena Raxter (Leiden University, Master in Advanced Studies in International Dispute Settlement and Arbitration) (current Attorney-Advisor, Office of the General Counsel for the U.S. International Trade Commission), 1st Place winner of the 2025 Young ITA Writing Competition. The article is titled "Jurisdiction Ratione Loci - the Effect of the Crimea Cases on Analyzing Territorial Jurisdiction in Situations of Occupation and Annexation"

In this episode of "The Advocate Next Door", hosts Kelby Ballena and Margarita Arango interview Lena Raxter, the winner of the 2025 Young ITA Writing Competition at the ITA Annual conference. Lena shares her journey from studying veterinary science to becoming a public international law enthusiast 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 and her two dogs.