About ALEP
What we do
The people of Afghanistan have established a democratic government through competitive elections. A new Constitution guarantees human rights and the free exercise of all religions, and provides women with equal protection under the law. Much work is still needed, however, to institutionalize the rule of law in Afghanistan. The assistance of skilled practitioners is critical as the Afghan people work to reconstitute their justice system.
Founded in 2007 as a student-driven initiative, the Afghanistan Legal Education Project at Stanford Law School (ALEP) develops innovative legal curricula to help Afghanistan’s universities train the next generation of lawyers and leaders.
ALEP’s principal focus is researching, writing, and publishing original legal textbooks. Since 2007, ALEP has published three textbooks, which are among the first to specifically address Afghanistan’s post-2004 legal system: An Introduction to Afghan Law (now in its second edition), Afghan Commercial Law, and Afghan Criminal Law. These textbooks have been rigorously vetted by Afghan and international legal experts. ALEP’s latest textbook, International Law from an Afghan Perspective, will be available in the fall of 2010. All of ALEP's publications are available online for free use and distribution (click on the "Publications" link above). Dari and Pashto translations are forthcoming.
ALEP has formed a partnership with the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) to design a unique and innovative legal studies curriculum for the students of Afghanistan. More than sixty students have completed courses designed by ALEP in conjunction with AUAF, and an additional sixty-six students currently are enrolled in the three legal studies courses offered in the spring of 2010. Beginning in 2011, students who complete the full legal studies curriculum will receive a Certificate in Legal Studies.
ALEP builds support for the program through site visits to Afghanistan, conferences, and fundraising initiatives. We host visiting professionals and hold symposia to improve the quality of the textbooks we produce. ALEP has obtained generous support from public and private sources, including a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of State.
Who we are
Stanford Law students Alexander Benard ('08) and Eli Sugmarman ('09) conceived of the project and invited Jason Berg (’08), Ben Joseloff (’08), and Anne Stephens (’09) to join them in founding ALEP.
Today, the project is led by a dedicated team of students: Team Leaders Raaj Narayan (’10) and Max Rettig (’10); Curriculum Chairs Una Au (’10) and Scott Schaeffer (’10); and team members Evan Berquist (’11), Morgan Galland (’11), Stephenie Gosnell (’11), and Michael Sulmeyer (’11).
ALEP’s second-ever postdoctoral fellow, stationed in Kabul, is Hamid Khan (Michigan ’02). Hamid has extensive experience in academia, government, and private practice and is an expert in Islamic law. The postdoctoral fellow supports ALEP’s academic programs and represents ALEP in Afghanistan. This position previously was held by ALEP co-founder Ben Joseloff.
ALEP’s faculty advisors are Erik Jensen (Co-Director of Stanford Law School’s Rule of law program) and Stanford Law School Dean Larry Kramer.
Visit the "People" page to read more about the ALEP team.
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