While serving as an observer to the Rwandan genocide trials, attorney Natalie Rea noticed there were "a handful" defense lawyers available to represent the over 70,000 incarcerated at Kigali Central Prison. She returned home to the United States and founded Legal Aid Rwanda, which recruited lawyers to travel to Rwanda and provide pretrial defense. In 2001, Rea founded the International Legal Foundation. Rea created the ILF to address legal aid crises in foreign countries, and expand criminal defense services for the indigent. She served as its Executive Director until 2012, when she was succeeded by current director Jennifer Smith. According to its website, Rea now serves as a Senior Advisor on its Board of Directors.