The Georgetown University Law Center (GULC) named a former U.S. security official and economic expert as the new executive director of its Institute of International Economic Law (IIEL) on April 11.
Daniel Schuker is the former deputy policy director for former Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign and a fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at Harvard University. Schuker took over the role at IIEL from the interim executive director after serving in the office of the national security advisor for international economics under former President Joe Biden.
Kathleen Claussen, IIEL co-faculty director, said the institute is focused on a wide range of international economics issues.
“There are over a dozen faculty who are affiliated with the Institute, each of us working on a different area of international economic law policy — like tariffs, just to name the one that people are thinking about — but also investment, finance, monetary law,” Claussen told The Hoya.
Claussen, who participated in IIEL’s hiring process, said Schuker’s broad and extensive experience will provide important perspectives to the university.
“Dan really stood out on the basis of his background and the many qualities he brings to the role: his government experience across all three branches of government, as well as his expertise in the area of international economic law and policy,” Claussen said.
In addition to his experience in policy advising, Schuker served as general counsel for Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on the Senate Judiciary Committee, worked in the Office of General Counsel in the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and clerked in the U.S. Court of Appeals.
Gregory Shaffer, another co-faculty director at the IIEL, said Schuker’s comprehensive experience would benefit the IIEL’s mission and future.
“He has had a fascinating career, working with Larry Summers at Treasury, with Cory Booker in the Senate, with Mike Pyle on the National Security Council concerning international economic policy and with Kamala Harris, coordinating policy positions on her campaign,” Shaffer wrote to The Hoya. “He has wide-ranging experience on key policy issues in a world of considerable uncertainty as we reconsider the future of international trade, investment, finance, tax and international economic law more broadly.”
Since Jan. 20, President Donald Trump’s administration has moved to restructure international economic policy through sweeping tariffs. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), an international financial institution with near-global membership, warned April 22 that prolonging the uncertainty that has accompanied this move could harm the global economy.
Claussen said Schuker’s experience comes at a significant time for IIEL and international economics at large and will be key in pushing IIEL into a new era.
“It’s been a couple of years since we’ve had an executive director, so he’s really going to be the mover and shaker at a time where the faculty directors have been trying to lead that on our own,” Claussen said. “We’re really delighted to have Dan take this on. We’re going to contribute to important conversations that are now underway in the global space.”
Andrew Bellah (LAW ’25), an IIEL fellow, said he is hopeful about Schuker’s future contributions to the institute.
“I’ve appreciated the IIEL and look forward to his contributions,” Bellah wrote to The Hoya. “I hope the IIEL continues to engage with issues in international law and economic policy proactively and continues to welcome a diversity of opinions to speak at and attend its events.”
Claussen said Schuker’s addition to the faculty is already impacting the institute as he begins to spearhead programs and host events on international trade.
“He’s already off to a terrific start,” Claussen said. “We have a big program next week that he’s helping to lead called our Global Trade Academy and more in May.”
“We’re so thrilled to have him on board,” Claussen added.
