David Nersessian

Dr. David Nersessian is an Associate Professor in the Accounting and Law Division of Babson College, where he teaches Business Law to undergraduate and MBA students and an elective in Public International Law. He earned his D Phil (PhD) in Law from Oxford University, where his research concentrated in public international law and human rights. He earned his JD magna cum laude from Boston University School of Law and his BSBA summa cum laude from Boston University School of Management.

Prior to completing his doctoral work, Dr. Nersessian practiced for six years with several large law firms, representing clients in complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts, administrative proceedings, and private arbitrations throughout the United States. He later spent five years as the vice president and general counsel of an international educational nonprofit.

Before joining Babson, Professor Nersessian spent many years at Boston University in a variety of roles. He was Assistant Dean of Global Programs and a Senior Lecturer at the Questrom School of Business and both a Visiting Assistant Professor and Lecturer in Law at BU’s School of Law. He also served as the founding Executive Director of Questrom’s Susilo Institute for Ethics in a Global Economy. Prior to joining BU, he was Executive Director of Harvard Law School’s Center on the Legal Profession and a Supreme Court Fellow at the US Supreme Court, where he worked for the Chief Justice’s chief of staff. Before that he taught Criminal Law for St. Edmund Hall and St. Benet’s Hall at Oxford University.

Dr. Nersessian’s research concentrates on public international law, human rights, legal ethics, globalization, and the management of legal and ethical risk in the corporate setting. He has a particular focus on the intersection of human rights and new technologies and the role of corporate lawyers in human rights issues. His other research focuses on the impact of globalization on the ethical regulation of attorneys. In addition to his work in technology and ethics, he continues to write, speak and consult in public international law and human rights.

Dr. Nersessian’s book “Genocide and Political Groups” was published by Oxford University Press in 2010. His second book, “International Human Rights Litigation: A Guide for Federal Judges” was published in early 2017. This book, which is a scholarly monograph on the Alien Tort Statute and related topics, was commissioned by the Federal Judicial Center to educate ~1,400 federal judges and magistrates nationwide on how to effectively hear and resolve human rights cases on their dockets. Prof. Nersessian also has taught international law subjects to federal judges on behalf of the Federal Judicial Center.

Professor Nersessian’s current journal scholarship analyzes: (i) the intersection of artificial intelligence, “big data” analytics, and other cutting-edge technological advances with international human rights law, and (ii) the governance implications and ethical risks for corporate lawyers arising out of legal work that facilitates human rights violations abroad. Dr. Nersessian also worked with a major global hotel chain on a case study about the hospitality industry’s efforts to combat human trafficking. This case, Hilton: Combatting Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Industry, received the Best International Case Award at the 2018 annual meeting of the Academy of Legal Studies in Business.

Academic Degrees

• Ph D, Oxford University, St. Catherine’s College
• LLM, Oxford University, St. Catherine’s College
• JD, Boston University School of Law
• BS, Boston University School of Management

Academic Interest / Expertise

• Human Rights and New Technologies; Public International Law; Public Policy; Business and Legal Ethics; Integrated Sustainability

Awards & Honors

• 2022 — Babson Research Scholar Award, 2022-2025, Babson College
• 2021 — Finalist, Outstanding Interdisciplinary Paper Award, Academy of Legal Studies in Business
• 2020 — Finalist, Virginia Maurer Outstanding Ethics Paper Award, Academy of Legal Studies in Business
• 2018 — Babson Research Scholar Award, 2019-2022, Babson College
• 2018 — Best International Case Award - Hilton: Combatting Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Industry, Academy of Legal Studies in Business
• 2018 — Babson College Provost’s Office Conference Grant, Babson College
• 2018 — Babson Faculty Research Fund Award, 2018-19, Babson College
• 2016 — Virginia Maurer Outstanding Ethics Paper Award, Academy of Legal Studies in Business,
• 2016 — New Case Writer Fellowship - Hilton: Combatting Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Industry, The Case Centre
• 2016 — Case Study Research Award - Hilton: Combatting Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Industry, Babson College (Center on Engaged Learning & Teaching) Teaching Innovation Fund