Dr. James Kraska

Professor

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Biography

James Kraska serves as a visiting professor at Harvard Law School and holds the Charles H. Stockton Professorship of International Maritime Law at the U.S. Naval War College. He has been a distinguished visiting professor at various institutions, including the College of Law, University of the Philippines, and Gujarat National Law University. Kraska has extensive experience in maritime law, having authored and edited numerous works in the field, including the treatise 'Benedict on Admiralty: International Maritime Law'. He is also the General Editor of International Law Studies and a permanent member of the Council on Foreign Relations. His background includes serving as a U.S. Navy officer and lawyer, where he completed multiple tours of duty in Japan and at the Pentagon. Kraska earned his J.D. from Indiana University Bloomington's Maurer School of Law and both an LL.M. and S.J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Research Interests

Experience

Visiting Professor

2026-01-01 — 2026-06-01

Harvard Law School • Cambridge, MA

Teaching courses in law with a focus on international maritime law.

Chair, Stockton Center for International Law

— Present

U.S. Naval War College • Newport, RI

Leading research and education in international law.

Visiting Professor

— Present

College of Law, University of the Philippines • Quezon City, Philippines

Teaching law with an emphasis on maritime legal issues.

Distinguished Professor

— Present

Gujarat National Law University • Gujarat, India

Conducting classes and guiding research in international law.

Courses

International Law of the Sea

Requirements for Harvard Law School

Master Program
Requirements
TOEFL
Listening
Required:25
Reading
Required:25
Writing
Required:25
Speaking
Required:25
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
J.D. from an ABA-approved U.S. law school or a first law degree (LL.B. or equivalent) from a foreign law school
Application Checklist
  • Online application form
  • CV/Résumé
  • Personal statements (Parts A and B)
  • At least two recommendations
  • Official transcripts and diplomas
  • Official TOEFL report (if applicable)
  • Application fee ($85)
Specialization Notes

Applied for under 'Department of Law', 'Department of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law', 'Department of Constitutional Law', 'Department of Japanese Legal Studies', and 'Department of Human Rights'.