Rolland, Sonia Elise - School of Law

Sonia E. Rolland

Professor of Law

Education

Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris (France), BA 1999
Université Paris-10 (France), MA 2000
University of Michigan, JD 2003
Cambridge University (UK), PhD 2009

Bio

Professor Rolland's writings focus on the legal framework for sustainable and socio-economic development in international economic law. Her research interests include public international law, international economic law and development, international environmental law and energy regulation. Through the exploration of different subject matters, she examines the intersection of legal regimes to improve the understanding of an increasingly multi-layered international and transnational legal order. She teaches Public International Law, International Trade Law, International Business Transactions and Cross-Border Civil Litigation. Rolland is the 2020 winner of Northeastern University’s Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Innovation.

She is the author of two books: Emerging Powers in International Economic Law — Cooperation, Competition and Transformation (with David M. Trubek) (Cambridge University Press, 2019), and Development at the WTO (Oxford University Press; hardbound 2012, paperback 2013), which proposes a legal framework for development at the WTO, combining an analysis of substantive law and institutional perspectives. Professor Rolland has published widely in French and in English. Her writings have appeared in the Journal of International Economic Law, Harvard International Law Journal, Georgetown Immigration Law Journal, Global Community Yearbook and the European Journal of International Law, among others. Her article, “The Precautionary Principle: Development of an International Standard” (23 Michigan Journal of International Law 429, 2002), has received several awards and its findings have been endorsed by the International Law Commission in a Resolution by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Professor Rolland has held appointments as visiting professor at Columbia University School of Law (2015) and Georgetown University, and has taught at the University of Michigan Law School. She has also lectured at the University of Cambridge, the London School of Economics, Seikei University (Tokyo) and other prominent institutions in Europe, Asia and the Pacific.

She clerked for H.E. Gilbert Guillaume and H.E. Ronny Abraham at the International Court of Justice.

In 2020, Rolland was elected to as Member of the Executive Council at the American Society of International Law. She also continues to serves as editor of the ASIL Insights. She previously served as co-chair of the International Economic Law Interest Group of the American Society of International Law (2015-2017). Professor Rolland regularly acts as an expert for international and non-governmental organizations including the United Nations (sovereign debt restructuring), the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (subsidies) and the India Institute of Foreign Trade (WTO negotiations).

Fields of Expertise

Civil Procedure
Climate Change
Energy
International Courts
International Economic Law
International Law
International Organizations
Sustainable Development
Trade Law
WTO Law

Selected Works

- Emerging Powers in International Economic Law — Cooperation, Competition and Transformation (with David M. Trubek) (Cambridge University Press, 2019).
- Development at the WTO (Oxford University Press, 2012).
- Book Review: Emerging Powers and the World Trading System: The Past and Future of International Economic Law by Gregory Shaffer, 116 American Journal of International Law (forthcoming 2022).
- “The Impact of Trade and Investment Treaties on Fiscal Resources and Taxation in Developing Countries,” 21 Chicago Journal of International Law 48 (2020).
- “Retooling or Redesigning Trade Law?, ” 2019 University of Illinois Law Review Online.
- “Legal Innovation in Investment Law: Rhetoric and Practice in Emerging Countries,” 39 University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Law 355 (2018) (co-author).
- “The Return of State Remedies in Investor State Dispute Settlement: Trends in Developing Countries,” 49 Loyola University Chicago Law Journal 307 (2017).
- “Making International Economic Law Work: Integrating Disciplines and Broadening Policy Choices,” 48 Georgetown Journal of International Law 371 (2017).
- Book Review: “The Social Foundations of World Trade: Norms, Community, and Constitution by Sungjoon Cho,” 110 American Journal of International Law 596 (2016).
- “Are Consumer-Oriented Rules the New Frontier of Trade Liberalization?” 55 Harvard International Law Journal 361 (2014).
- “Taking Climate Change by Storm: Theorizing Global and Local Policy-Making in Response to Extreme Weather Events,” 62 Buffalo Law Review 933 (2014) (co-author).
- “International Decisions: ‘Whaling in the Antarctic (Australia v. Japan: New Zealand Intervening),’” 108 American Journal of International Law (2014).
- Book Review: “Towards Post-Modern Trade Relations? A Review of Dennis Patterson and Ari Afilalo, The New Global Trading Order: The Evolving State and the Future of Trade,” 5 Jurisprudence 173 (2014).
- “The BRICS’ Contributions to the Architecture and Norms of International Economic Law,” 107st ASIL Conference Proceedings (2013).
- “Transboundary Regulation in the Case of Nanotechnologies: A Theoretical Framing;” Editor, Special Issue: “Global Regulation of Nanotechnologies,” 9 Nanotechnology Law and Business (2013) (co-author).
- Book Review: “Regulation of Energy in International Trade Law – WTO, NAFTA and Energy Charter, ed. Y. Selivanova," 16 Journal of International Economic Law 475 (2013).
- “Considering Development in the Implementation of Panel and Appellate Body Reports,” 4 Trade, Law and Development 150 (2012).
- “Developing Country Coalitions at the WTO: In Search of Legal Support,” 48 Harvard International Law Journal 483 (2007).
- Book Review: “N. de Sadeleer, Environmental Principles: From political Slogans to Legal Rules,” 16 European Journal of International Law 164 (2005).
- Comment: “Standards for Habeas Corpus Review for ‘Enemy Combatants’ Under Hamdi, Padilla, and Rasul,” 2004 Global Community Yearbook of International Law 173 (2004).
- “The Interpretation of Article I of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees by the European Union: Toward Harmonization,” 18 Georgetown Immigration Law Journal 111 (2003).
- “The Precautionary Principle: Development of an International Standard,” 23 Michigan Journal of International Law 429 (2002) (Conclusions adopted by the International Law Commission in its Third Report to the General Assembly of the United Nations on the Legal Regime for the Allocation of Loss in case of Transboundary Harm Arising out of Hazardous Activities, UN Doc. A/CN.4/566, March 2006).
- “Development-Driven Post WTO World,” (with David M. Trubek), in Paradise Lost or Found? The Post-WTO International Legal Order, ed. Picker et al. (Springer Press, 2020).
- “Embedded Neoliberalism and Its Discontents: The Uncertain Future of Trade and Investment Law,” in World Trade and Investment Law Reimagined: A Progressive Agenda for an Inclusive Globalization (Anthem Press, 2019).
- “Consumer Protection Issues in Cross-Border E-Commerce,” in Research Handbook on Electronic Commerce Law, ed. J.A. Rothchild (Edward Elgar, 2016).
- “WTO Law,” in Transnational Law, ed. M. Reimann et al. (West, 2013).
- “Les principes généraux à l’OMC in Vincent Tomkiewicz,” in Les Sources et les normes dans le droit de l’OMC, ed. T. Garcia et al. (UFR Institut du Droit de la Paix et du Développement, Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, 2012).
- “Les groupements et coalitions ’Etats à l’OMC: la recherche d'un cadre juridique in Vincent Tomkiewicz,” in L’Organisation mondiale du commerce et les sujets de droit, ed. T. Garcia (Bruylant, 2011).
- French to English translation, selected chapters in The Law of International Responsibility, ed. J. Crawford et al. (Oxford University Press, 2010)
  Chapter 15: Relations Between the International Law of Responsibility and Responsibility in Municipal Law (P.M. Dupuy)
  Chapter 22: The Attribution of Conduct to International Organizations (P. Klein)
  Chapter 85: Obligations Relating to the Use of Force and Deriving from Peremptory Norms of International Law (C. Leben).
“NU Honors Rolland for Outstanding Research and Creative Activity,” Northeastern Law News Announcement (April 29, 2020).

“Rolland to Join ASIL Executive Council,” Northeastern Law News Announcement (January 8, 2020).

Radio Interview: “Election 2012: 30 Issues in 30 Days – Trade Policy,” Boston Public Radio, WGBH (October 26, 2012).

“China-Raw Materials: WTO Rules on Chinese Natural Resources Export Dispute, ASIL Insights,” American Society of International Law (June 19, 2012).

“You Are Here”:“Global Justice – Today’s ICC,” Public Affairs News Show, WERS Boston (July 8, 2012).