Senior Legal Specialist

Benina
(Rizvanolli) Kusari

Benina Kusari

Over 15 years advancing justice reform, victims' rights,
and the rule of law across Kosovo and the wider region.

Legislative Drafting Sentencing Guidelines Gender-Based Violence Victims' Rights Capacity-Building
Explore my work
Profile

A career built on
reforming justice

With a background spanning international law, criminal justice, and institutional capacity-building, I have dedicated my career to ensuring that Kosovo's justice system is transparent, accountable, and protective of its most vulnerable citizens.

As Senior Legal Specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Pristina / U.S. Department of Justice for over 15 years, I authored sentencing guidelines adopted by courts nationwide, led training programmes for judges and prosecutors, and managed multi-million-dollar reform budgets from inception to delivery.

I believe in justice that is both principled and human — from the courtroom to the classroom, from policy documents to the child-friendly books I helped write to ease a minor's experience of going to court.

15+ Years in justice reform
8 Major policy documents authored
4 Languages spoken
3 Awards from U.S. DOJ & Kosovo Supreme Court
Career

Work Experience

March 2010 — June 2025

Senior Legal Specialist

U.S. Embassy in Pristina / U.S. Department of Justice

  • Led Kosovo-wide justice reform initiatives in sentencing, confiscation, and legislative drafting, advising the Supreme Court and senior prosecutors.
  • Authored landmark documents including the Definitive Sentencing Guidelines (2018, revised 2024), Criminal Fines Guidelines, and Corruption-Specific Guidelines.
  • Designed and delivered training programmes for legal professionals across Kosovo's justice sector.
  • Managed multi-million-dollar programme budgets, overseeing finance, procurement, and strategic oversight.
  • Co-authored the "Going to Court" book for child victims (2021, updated 2024).
  • Recipient of awards from the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Embassy, and Kosovo Supreme Court.
March 2009 — March 2010

Translator & Legal Officer

IJPC — Independent Judicial and Prosecutorial Commission

  • Analysed candidate files and prepared briefings for Commissioners to support judicial appointments.
  • Delivered in-house legal interpretation training to staff interpreters.
September 1999 — February 2009

Administrative Assistant

UNMIK Police, Kosovo

  • Managed administrative, logistical, and financial operations supporting police command structures.
  • Provided legal assistance and interpretation/translation services for Police Operations planning.
January 1999 — March 1999

Field Assistant

OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission, Gjakova

  • Supported field monitoring operations during a critical period of transition in Kosovo.
Teaching
2013

Criminal Law Professor 1 semester

Kolegji Biznesi, Prishtinë

1998

Constitutional Law Teacher 1 semester

Nexhmedin Nixha High School, Gjakova

Scholarship

Publications & Policy Work

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Journal Article

"Faceless and Forgotten Victims"

Kusari, B., Rizvanolli-Kusari, B., & Thana, E. (2013)

Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 4(10), 234–239

View Article →
Book

"Crime Victim Rights — State Obligation"

Rizvanolli-Kusari, B. (2013)

Gjon Buzuku · ISBN 978-9951-08-174-0

Policy Documents for Kosovo's Justice System

2016 Domestic Violence Bench-book for Judges and Prosecutors
2018 / 2024 Definitive Sentencing Guidelines (original & revision)
2020 Criminal Fines Guidelines and Calculator
2020 Prosecutor Guidance on the Role of State Prosecutors at Sentencing
2021 Corruption-Specific Sentencing Guidelines
2023 Sentencing Hearing Manual
2023 Trainer Handbook
2021 / 2024 "Going to Court" Book for Child Victims
Community

Professional Memberships

⚖️

European Working Group on Sentencing and Policy-making

Current Member

🌍

World Society of Victimology

Former Member

👩‍⚖️

International Association of Women Judges

Former Non-Judicial Member

Education
2013
Master of International Law

University of Prishtina
Thesis: Victims' Rights — State Obligation

2000
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

University of Prishtina

2022
Kosovo Bar Exam

Licensed to practise law in Kosovo

Get in Touch

Let's work together

Available for legal advisory, policy consulting, training, and speaking engagements.

Benina.kusari@gmail.com LinkedIn Profile
Albanian · Native English · C2 Fluent Serbian · Very Good Italian · Conversational