The inaugural class of the LL.M program has graduated! The class consisted of eleven students from six countries. The students varied in age from 21 to 34 and all of them have worked in the Public sector of their respective countries for a minimum of two years. To view a photo album of the year please click here.

Daniela Ritan

Ms. Ritan received her law degree from the University of Belgrade in 2003. She has dedicated her professional experience to public service rule of law. She has worked as the project assistant for the Public Institution Center for Judicial and Prosecutorial Training of Republika Srpska as well as working as a Lawyer for the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council. Ms. Ritan has focused on fighting corruption and creating responsible governance. She plans to continue this work when she finishes the program and is dedicated to creating a better Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Givi Kutidze

Mr. Kutidze received his Law degree from the Academy of the State Security Ministry of Georgia in 2000. He was a Chief Advisor to the National Security Council of Georgia coordinating law enforcement bodies and intelligence services. Later he went on to be the Advisor to the Minister on Reforms Coordination where he worked on anticorruption issues. He has been involved in development of Anticorruption Strategy of Georgia and the Action Plan for its implementation as well as a national coordinator in the Anticorruption Network for Transition Economies of OECD. He has also worked with other international organizations such as the World Bank and led the creation of monitoring mechanism for governance reforms. Mr. Kutidze plans to continue work in the public sector focusing on ensuring implementation of anticorruption reforms.

Rusudan Tabatadze

Ms. Tabatadze received her Law degree with honors from the Sukhumi Branch of Tbilisi State University in 2003. While working on her degree she worked in Article 42 of the Constitution After graduation, Ms. Tabatadze worked for the Georgian Young Lawyers Association as legal officer and a project coordinator for various projects. She has focused on developing a Legal Aid System in Georgia, raising public awareness and Human Rights and Rule of Law. When she receives her LL.M., Ms. Tabatadze plans to use this experience to implement new democratic mechanisms and values in Georgia.

Tamar Vashakidze

Ms. Vashakidze received her Bachelors in Law this past July. While working on her law degree she worked for the National Security Council of Georgia, the Minister of Justice and the Department of Reform and Monitoring of the Penitentiary System. She has focused mostly on reform of the Penitentiary System and establishing mechanisms for an independent court system. After the program, Ms. Vashakidze plans to pursue a successful career in public service in order to contribute to the ongoing reforms in Georgia.

Sofiya Issenova

s. Issenova graduated from Kazakh National State University with a Bachelor’s in Law in 1997 and a Masters in Law in 1999 both with honors. She then went on to work with the Civic Foundation for “Transparency Kazakhstan,” research for CORE at the University of Hamburg and Internews Network in Kazakhstan. Her focus is on transparency and access to information as well as issues on civil service reform. Ms. Issenova plans to continue promotion of good governance and corruption prevention in both Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

Akylbek Sarbagyshov

Mr. Sarbagyshov received his Baccalaureate in Jurisprudence from the International University in Kyrgyzstan in 1998. He has been working for the Trial Monitoring Project implemented by the Human Rights Department. He worked with the goals of strengthening trust of citizens in the judicial process, defend the respect of the fundamental human rights and freedoms, ensure fair trials and educate the public. Mr. Sarbagyshov plans to continue his work in law reform and protection of human rights in the legal system after completion of the LL.M. program.

Jenishbek Arzymatov

Mr. Arzymatov graduated from Osh State University with a BA in Jurisprudence with honors in 2001 and began working for the Human Rights and Democracy Center in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. He has acted as the Chairman and Project director of multiple human rights and election related programs including “Monitoring of the Right for Fair Trial” which was supported by Freedom House, USAID. He also worked as a coordinator on “Fair Trial Monitoring Project” in OSCE/ODIHR. He plans to use his LL.M. to enhance legal awareness of the public and advocate campaigns on drafting and lobbying bills that would allow for more active participation of the public in the decision making process.

Yuri Khvan

Mr. Khvan graduated from Kyrgyz State University with a Bachelor’s in Law in 1995. He has much experience as a legal advisor and has worked with Internews Network, The Kyrgyz Republic Parliament in Legislative Drafting and the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law. After finishing the LL.M. program, Mr. Khvan plans to become an international legal expert in the sphere of promoting civil society institutions as well as practice in the public sector.

Oleksandr Kondratyuk

Mr. Kondratyuk received both a Bachelor’s of Law and a Specialist in Law Study from the National University of “ Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” in 2000 and 2001 respectively. He has worked as both a lawyer and translator. Before coming to ONU Mr. Kondratyuk worked for USAID and BIZPRO to help create the Investor’s Roadmap in Ukraine. After the program he plans to work on permit simplification for NGO’s and organized citizenry.

Olena Zadorozhna

Ms. Zadorozhna received her Bachelor of International Law from Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University Institute of International Relations this past June. While working on her degree she worked as the project coordinator for the European Law Students’ Association as well as representing clientele Pro Bono in civil and administrative cases in district and appellate courts. After the program she plans to promote the rule of law and democracy by continuing her work with ELSA, teaching, and vocal advocacy in public and in the press.

Dilrabo Djurakulova

Ms. Djurakulova graduated from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy with a Bachelor’s in Law in 2000. She went on to work in the legal department of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Coca-Cola Bottlers and the Eurasia Foundation. She also worked for the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law giving her experience in government, business and NGO sectors of law. She plans to focus on research and development in the non-profit sector after the program.