Today’s interview is with Kim Marie Eberhardt, a foreign law intern working with Foreign Law Specialist Jenny Gesley in the Global Legal Research Directorate of the Law Library of Congress.
- Describe your background.
I was born and raised in Bochum, Germany, which is part of the “Ruhrgebiet,” an area famous for its steel and coal industries. It is also the most densely populated area in Germany.
- What is your academic/professional history?
I went to law school at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum in my hometown. During these studies, I also spent two semesters abroad in Rome, Italy, at the Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali Guido Carli. After completing my first state examination in Germany, I further deepened my knowledge of European Union (EU) law by completing an LL.M. program in European law at Leiden University in the Netherlands.
I am currently completing a two-year legal traineeship at the Higher Regional Court of Berlin. As part of this traineeship, I have already gained interesting insights into the work of a civil law judge, a public prosecutor, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and a big German law firm.
- How would you describe your job to other people?
As an intern with the Law Library of Congress, I support my supervisor, Foreign Law Specialist Jenny Gesley. I research current legal developments, such as recent judgments and bills adopted within Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the EU. Based on this research, I also help with drafting articles on these issues for the Global Legal Monitor to inform and update Congress and the general public. Additionally, I also write articles for the blog In Custodia Legis about legal (fun) facts and comparative law.
- Why did you want to work at the Law Library of Congress?
While studying abroad in Italy and the Netherlands, I really enjoyed the exchange with students from all over the world regarding their legal systems. Comparing legal systems, as well as different traditions and cultures, has been a great interest of mine ever since. Working at the Law Library of Congress alongside many foreign law specialists from all over the world is, therefore, a great pleasure for me.
- What is the most interesting fact you have learned about the Law Library of Congress?
While the Library of Congress today is the world’s largest library, I found it very interesting that it was rather small in the beginning. Eventually, the copyright law helped create its large collection. For a copyright to be effective under this act, one had to send a copy of the work to the Library of Congress, which led to a rapid growth of the collection.
- What’s something most of your co-workers do not know about you?
I have been dancing ballet since I was five years old. I even passed a dance exam by the Royal Academy of Dance when I was still in elementary school. After taking a break from dancing ballet during high school for a couple of years, I rediscovered the joy of dancing. Now I really enjoy the weekly classes as a creative and active way to relax after work.
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