Mark Drumbl

Mark Drumbl is the Class of 1975 Alumni Professor of Law and Director of the Transnational Law Institute at Washington and Lee University's School of Law. His research focuses on international criminal law, transitional justice, and the psychological and societal dynamics behind participation in mass atrocities. He has authored seminal works such as Reimagining Child Soldiers (2012) and Informers Up Close (2024), exploring themes like informers in repressive regimes and child soldiers. Drumbl's work bridges legal theory and practice, emphasizing the role of emotions and marginalized individuals in violent contexts.

• Education: Graduate program in law at Columbia University.
• Key Roles: Taught at W&L Law, directed the Transnational Law Institute, and consulted on international law matters.

Research Interests: Drumbl's work examines how ordinary individuals become complicit in mass violence, including informers in communist Czechoslovakia and child soldiers in armed conflicts. His interdisciplinary approach combines legal analysis with oral histories and archival research. Recent projects include a conference on transitional justice innovations and a book on post-conflict justice mechanisms in Sierra Leone.

His scholarship has influenced judicial decisions, such as a 2024 Fifth Circuit opinion citing his 2002 work on terrorism and legal responses. Drumbl also advocates for inclusive, global South perspectives in international law and testified before the U.N. on anti-racism protocols.

• Awards: Lewis Prize for Excellence in Scholarship (2024).
• Grants/Consulting: Secured grants for transnational law initiatives and advised on transitional justice frameworks.

Drumbl co-organized international conferences on topics like informers and environmental justice, fostering collaborations with global scholars. His Transnational Law Institute offers students internships via networks with NGOs, U.N. agencies, and government bodies.