Today’s blog post is an interview with a foreign law intern at the Law Library of Congress, Raksmei Dara. She works with Foreign Law Specialist Sayuri Umeda in the Global Legal Research Directorate.
Describe your background.
My name is Raksmei Dara, but people call me Mei. I was born in the heart of Phnom Penh city, Cambodia. I have an older brother, and I am the youngest one in my family.
What is your academic/ professional history?
I have a bachelor’s degree in law from the American University of Phnom Penh and a Bachelor of Arts in law from the University of Arizona. I interned at the Fraud Prevention Unit in the U.S. Consular Affairs Office at the United States Embassy in Cambodia during my undergraduate program. Shortly after, I was offered a scholarship from Pennsylvania State University for an LL.M. program, where I earned my concentration in international, foreign, and comparative law. While at Penn State, I was chosen and coached as a competitor for Penn State Law in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Moot Court Competition 2025. That is when my passion for international law grew.
How do you describe your job to other people?
I am a foreign law intern in the Global Legal Research Directorate of the Law Library of Congress. I research and analyze Cambodian legal frameworks, draft articles on new laws and other regulations, and compile those findings into clear, up-to-date reports and articles for our global audience.
Why did you want to work at the Law Library of Congress?
The Law Library of Congress is an open door for me to deepen my legal skills, gain new research knowledge, and collaborate with incredible scholars from around the world. Most importantly, the Library of Congress is a place of rich history and unparalleled resources, making it the perfect stepping stone for my legal career. I am grateful to have such an honorable institution like the Law Library of Congress as part of my legal professional journey.
What is the most interesting fact you have learned about the Law Library of Congress?
I am blown away by how professional and talented everyone is in the workplace. The Library of Congress feels like a jungle of unmatched resources and archival treasures you simply cannot find anywhere else in the world. Its global network of scholars and the depth of its collections make it a truly one-of-a-kind institution that words cannot do justice.
What’s something most of your co-workers do not know about you?
I always find myself interested in the psychology behind laws and how law shapes both legislation and enforcement.
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Comments
Impressive credentials!