Pathways to the ILI: Kimberly Faith
By Alida Bach
Kimberly Faith in front of the ILI in Washington, D.C., in 2007 and 2024 respectively
As co-course advisor for the International Law Institute’s Advanced Legislative Drafting seminar, Kimberly Faith brings a wealth of knowledge to her participants. However, her connection to the International Law Institute (ILI) goes much deeper—after starting as an intern in 2007, she returned to the ILI in 2021 as a course advisor to lend her expertise to legislative drafters. This year’s seminar presents a special milestone as Kimberly came back in person to guide the seminar, marking her first on-site visit to the institute since her internship.
When Kimberly Faith first stepped into the ILI as an intern in the spring of 2007, she was a UCLA student with a passion for political science and international development. Kimberly’s time as an intern was, to her, underscored by the international nature of both ILI staff and participants. Her then-cohort of six ILI interns had all hailed from different corners of the world, and Kimberly had found a new friend in a co-intern from Italy. Together, they learned to navigate the fast-paced work of the ILI whilst also living in bustling Washington, D.C. During this time, Kimberly specifically recalled the beauty of the annual spring picnic under the blooming cherry blossoms—a classic ‘must-see’ Washington sight. The interns’ day-to-day work was done in a small nook—the ILI’s space for interns at that time—with just enough room to house workspaces for them. Though perhaps modest in size, the nook, for Kimberly, was rich with opportunity; “The biggest benefit of being an intern at the ILI,” Kimberly recalls, “was meeting participants from all over the world”.
Many years later, Kimberly’s return to the ILI was not as straightforward as one might think. After her time as an intern at the ILI, Kimberly pursued a law degree at Tulane University and embarked on a career as a professional legislative drafter. Her work initially with the Office of Legislative Counsel at the U.S. House of Representatives, and then subsequently in other legislative drafting roles, brought her back to D.C. However, it was a coincidence that Kimberly bumped into a past Program Administrator at the ILI, Svetlana Khyeda, at a World Bank International Law & Justice Conference. From meeting Svetlana, Kimberly learned that the ILI’s Advanced Legislative Drafting seminar needed a new course advisor, as long-time advisor Art Rynerson was preparing to step back after many years of work with the ILI. To Kimberly, it felt like the right opportunity at the right time.
Together with Warren Burke, the two became co-course advisors for the Advanced Legislative Drafting Seminar. In the past four years, Kimberly has been leading the seminar remotely, sharing her expertise with participants worldwide. However, this year’s seminar marked a special occasion – Kimberly returned to the ILI for the first time in-person to teach the seminar.
The International Law Institute is grateful to have such a passionate, proficient and knowledgeable expert in legislative drafting like Kimberly as an advisor. Her recent return to the ILI was representative of more than just career advancement, but instead an entire journey. From an intern at the ILI to, now, an experienced professional, Kimberly’s accomplished career is a testament to the lasting connections and opportunities that define the International Law Institute—and the pathways that lead some back to it.
For more information – ILI Workshop on Legislative Drafting and ILI Advanced Legislative Drafting seminar
