From the White House to the Classroom: Professor Steven Hill Brings Global Experience to OU Law's International Business Law Programs
by Tami Althoff
Table of Contents
When Professor Steven Hill teaches his courses on International Sanctions Regimes, International Payment Systems, and International Sales and Other Business Transactions for the University of Oklahoma College of Law’s online International Business Law program, students aren’t just learning from textbooks—they’re gaining insights from someone who has shaped international policy at the highest levels of government and international organizations.
A Career at the Intersection of Law and Global Policy
Hill’s journey through the corridors of international power reads like a blueprint for understanding how law operates in the real world.
His expertise in international law led to his appointment as Counselor for Legal Affairs at the United States Mission to the United Nations, where he represented the United States in Security Council and General Assembly deliberations. This experience provided Hill with unique insights into how international law functions in practice.
After working at the State Department’s Office of the Legal Adviser in 2001, he went on to serve as chief legal counsel to NATO Secretaries General Jens Stoltenberg and Anders Fogh Rasmussen from 2014 to 2020 in Brussels, Belgium.
Perhaps most notably, Hill served as Director for Global Criminal Justice on the National Security Council staff at the White House in 2021 and 2022, where he worked on challenging international legal issues. His expertise in sanctions regimes and international payment systems proved particularly valuable.
Hill currently serves as Executive Secretary of the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ), based in Malta, where he leads multilateral efforts to strengthen criminal justice institutions and promote the rule of law in countries facing complex security threats. Drawing on his deep experience in international law and policy, he oversees programming that supports judges, prosecutors, police and policymakers across the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. His role at the IIJ places him at the heart of capacity-building efforts that bridge international legal norms with practical, on-the-ground implementation—an approach that mirrors the philosophy he brings to teaching.
“My teaching style is grounded in practice. Decisions have real-world implications, often with geopolitical stakes. I bring that urgency into my teaching. Whether I’m covering international sales law or sanctions regimes, I emphasize how to think critically, advise clients and structure deals in a fast-moving international environment. Students appreciate the clarity that comes from hearing how the law actually plays out in practice—including the risks, politics and trade-offs involved,” Hill said. “Because I’ve worked in both governmental and intergovernmental roles, and continue to engage with private sector partners, I often help students think about and connect with opportunities—whether that’s an internship in Brussels, an arbitration center in The Hague or a compliance position in the private sector. I view my role as not just teaching doctrine, but helping students find their place in the global legal ecosystem. That might mean making a call, writing a recommendation or simply encouraging a student to apply for something they might have thought was out of reach.”
Recognition and Leadership in the Field
Hill’s contributions to international law have not gone unnoticed. In 2021, he received the American Bar Association International Law Section’s Award for Best Lawyer in a Government and International Organization. His election as a Vice President of the American Society of International Law in March 2023 further solidified his standing as a leading voice in the field.
“At NATO, I served as the chief legal adviser and in-house counsel to the Secretary General, overseeing a legal team responsible for a wide range of international business law matters—from complex contracts and cross-border procurement to dispute resolution and international arbitration. That experience directly informs how I teach. I bring real-world examples into the classroom: how international agreements are negotiated, how sanctions clauses are drafted and how arbitration functions in the context of state and intergovernmental actors,” Hill said. “My students don’t just learn the doctrine—they see how it gets applied in high-stakes, multinational environments.”
He is regularly invited to speak and write about international law issues. In the past few months, for example, he has spoken at an international meeting of general counsels from the IT industry worldwide and addressed a prominent international gathering on cyber warfare.
Bridging Theory and Practice in Legal Education
Hill’s extensive practical experience brings a unique dimension to legal education at OU Law’s International Business Law program. His courses don’t just cover the theoretical frameworks of international business law—they explore how these frameworks operate in real-world situations.
“Students often say that learning from someone who has worked at NATO, the UN and the White House changes how they view international law—it makes it more concrete, more urgent and more accessible,” he said. “I think it helps them imagine themselves in roles where international law is not just theory, but a tool they can use to shape outcomes. For many, it’s their first real exposure to how international business law intersects with diplomacy, finance and security.”
His background in international payment systems is particularly relevant in today’s interconnected economy. Having worked on cases where financial systems became tools of international policy, Hill brings insights into how global commerce intersects with law and diplomacy that few educators can match.
The Value of Practical Experience in Online Learning
Hill’s experience teaching at institutions around the world, including KU Leuven and Vanderbilt University Law School in addition to OU Law, proves the value of accessible, high-quality international business law education. His support for OU Law’s online International Business Law (IBL) programs reflects his understanding that the legal profession is increasingly global and that lawyers and others need practical education that prepares them for this reality.
In addition, OU Law’s online IBL Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program serves business professionals who need to understand international legal frameworks without pursuing a law degree. For professionals working in international trade, global finance, or cross-border transactions, this program provides essential legal foundations taught by practitioners like Hill who have navigated these systems at the highest levels.
The online IBL Master of Laws (LLM) program offers specialized training for lawyers seeking to develop expertise in international business law. With courses covering areas like international sanctions regimes, global payment systems and international sales law, the program prepares lawyers for the complex regulatory environment that governs modern international commerce.
“Graduates of the IBL program have pursued diverse paths, often using the program to level up their work in multinational companies and organizations where cross-border legal issues are increasingly central. Some of my students have moved into sanctions compliance or trade law roles,” Hill said. “I make an effort to provide mentorship that goes beyond the classroom—sharing insights from my own career and helping students think strategically about how to position themselves in a competitive global market. Several students I’ve mentored have landed international roles where their ability to understand complex transactional or regulatory issues made them stand out.”
Why Hill's Background Matters for Students
Having someone with Hill’s background as a faculty member provides students with several unique advantages:
- Real-World Perspective: Hill’s courses incorporate case studies and examples from his experience in government and international organizations, helping students understand how legal principles translate into practice.
- Network Access: His connections across government, international organizations, and the private sector provide students with opportunities for mentorship and career development that extend well beyond the classroom.
- Current Relevance: Hill’s ongoing work at the IIJ and his continued engagement with international legal developments ensure that his teaching remains current and relevant to today’s legal challenges.
- Global Outlook: His experience working in diverse international contexts—from Kosovo to Brussels to New York—brings a truly global perspective to legal education that reflects the reality of modern legal issues.
“International law is constantly evolving, and I revise my course content each semester to reflect that. We’ve recently explored the global implications of sanctions targeting Russia and the legal challenges of digital currencies in cross-border payments, for example,” he said. “My current work leading the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law gives me a front-row seat to legal trends affecting practitioners around the world. No matter what country you’re dealing with, digital issues are at the forefront. I try to bring those developments into the classroom in real time.”
The Future of International Business Law Education
As international business law becomes increasingly important to legal practice, having faculty with Hill’s background becomes a significant competitive advantage for any program. His experience spanning academia, government service and international organizations provides students with insights that can’t be gained from traditional academic backgrounds alone.
The online format of OU Law’s IBL programs allows students from around the world to benefit from Hill’s expertise, regardless of their geographic location or professional obligations. This approach reflects the global nature of international business law and the need for legal education that can serve people wherever they are located.
Take the Next Step in International Business Law
Whether you’re a business professional looking to understand the legal frameworks that govern international commerce or a lawyer seeking to specialize in this growing field, OU Law’s online IBL programs offer access to world-class education from practitioners like Professor Hill who have shaped the international legal field at the highest levels.
The challenges facing international business law today—from navigating complex sanctions regimes to understanding the implications of digital currencies for international payments—require practitioners who can think across traditional boundaries. Learning from someone who has addressed these challenges in real-world settings provides invaluable preparation for modern legal practice.
Visit the OU Online website to learn more about OU Law’s online IBL MLS program or online LLM program and how they can advance your career in international business law.
