Georgetown Law

J.D., University of Ankara; LL.M., American University Washington College of Law

Dilek Barlas is an Adjunct Professor of Law and co-teaches the International Law Seminar on Poverty Reduction and Accountability with Professor Eduardo Abbott. She is an international consultant on accountability issues to the World Bank and FinDev Canada.

Dilek Barlas served as the Executive Secretary of the World Bank Inspection Panel during 2014 -2021. In her capacity as the Executive Secretary, Ms. Barlas provided strategic support and advice to the Panel Chair and Panel members; managed the Panel’s Secretariat, its staff, consultants and resources; and maintained the Panel’s relations with internal stakeholders (the World Bank Board of Executive Directors, World Bank senior management and staff) as well as external ones (complainants, civil society organizations, academia and the media). Ms. Barlas was the Inspection Panel’s Deputy Executive Secretary from 2007 to 2014.

Ms. Barlas has extensive experience in the field of development. A lawyer by training, she joined the World Bank in 1992 and served as the Senior Counsel in the World Bank Legal Vice Presidency for the Europe and Central Asia Region. As Senior Counsel Ms. Barlas was responsible for the legal aspects of World Bank operations and conducted negotiations in numerous countries. Her work also included an overseas field assignment to the World Bank Office in Ankara, Turkey, from 2004 to 2006.

Prior to joining the World Bank, Ms. Barlas served with the Under Secretariat of Treasury and Foreign Trade of Turkey and played a critical role in the preparation of Turkey’s anti-dumping and subsidies legislation. Her private law practice includes working as an associate with White and Case in their Washington, D.C., office.

Ms. Barlas holds a law degree from the University of Ankara, Turkey, and an LLM in International Legal Studies from the Washington College of Law at American University, Washington, D.C.