Rajika Shah

Rajika Shah is a Visiting Clinical Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Loyola Justice for Atrocities Clinic (LJAC) at Loyola Law School, Loyola Marymount University. She specializes in international law, human rights, genocide studies, and property restitution. Her work focuses on post-Holocaust reparation, accountability in international tribunals, and transitional justice mechanisms. Shah directs the LJAC, providing students hands-on experience in real-world cases involving mass atrocities.

Education:

• B.A. in Comparative Religion, Oberlin College
• J.D. Magna Cum Laude, Pepperdine University School of Law
• LL.M. with Distinction in Public International Law, London School of Economics and Political Science

Shah’s research emphasizes the intersection of law and postgenocide recovery, including property restitution’s role in healing societies. She has authored peer-reviewed articles on Armenian genocide restitution, the Rohingya crisis, and California’s art recovery statutes. Her litigation experience includes representing victims of Sudanese and Armenian genocides, indigenous groups, and Libyan hijacking victims in high-stakes disputes against sovereign states and commercial entities.

Key Awards & Recognition:

• LLM Distinction (LSE)
• J.D. Magna Cum Laude (Pepperdine)
• Semifinalist in Jean Pictet Competition (2015)

Shah’s advocacy extends beyond academia: she served on the Executive Board of ASIL Insights, contributed to Oxford Reports on International Law, and participates in the Pacific Council’s Gitmo Taskforce. Her work bridges academic rigor with practical impact, shaping legal strategies for global justice issues.