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Friends and Colleagues, Our “best-ever” DC Spring Meeting is now behind us, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our Spring Meeting Co-chairs, Meaghan McGrath Beaumont, Lori Sostowski and Marcy Stras. The meeting is a part of our continuing history and leadership in the field of international law. We had the largest attendance “ever” for a Section meeting in Washington, the most programs “ever” (over 85), the largest representation of lawyers practicing outside the US, the most countries, the greatest number of ticketed events, wonderful venues (the US Federal Court of Appeals, the Kennedy Center, and the Diplomatic Rooms of the State Department), and terrific speakers, including our featured luncheon speakers, Michael Oxley and Abbe David Lowell. Starting with the reception on Tuesday night and continuing through the Council Meeting on Saturday morning, we presented the following major awards:
The programs were well-attended. All were truly “world class”. In the world of international law, ABA International is known for presenting the best programs anywhere. I am happy to report that our reputation remains intact, thanks to the program chairs, the speakers, the program selection process, our committees and the track coordinators. Your hard work is appreciated by all of us. In addition to Meaghan, Lori and Marcy, many individuals contributed an amazing amount of time and energy to the success of this historic meeting: Mike Burke, Mike Byowitz, Lisa Savitt, Lelia Mooney, Jennifer Dabson, Keith Loken, Section Director Leanne Pfautz and our entire staff, led by the meetings staff of Duane Propst, Jenny Abreu and Annie Wanlund. There are many others who worked extremely hard, too, and we are all grateful. Our sponsors are terrific: LexisNexis, Getting the Deal Through, Bennett Jones LLP, Hogan & Hartson LLP, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Chadbourne & Parke LLP, Kenyon & Kenyon LLP, Perini-Hegarty & Associates, P.C., Steptoe & Johnson LLP, Portolano Colella Cavallo, Thompson Hine LLP, Baker & Hostetler LLP, Salmen Navarro & Associates, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo Abogados, S. L., Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, Crowell & Moring LLP, TRACE International, Van Mens & Wisselink N.V., CUATRECASAS, GONÇALVES PEREIRA LLP, FRANKLIN, Gloor & Sieger Rechtsanwälte, Pardini & Associates, Stikeman Elliott LLP, American University Washington College of Law, Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, CAREY Y CIA. Ltda. I Abogados, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, Dillon Eustace, Foley Hoag LLP, Jun He Law Offices, King and Wood, Kelley Drye, and Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP We very much appreciated all our exhibitors at the meeting: American Society of International Law; Association Internationale des Jeunes Avocats; Bennett Jones LLP; Hogan & Hartson LLP; International Law Office King & Spaulding; Getting the Deal Through; Legal Placements, Inc.; LexisNexis; Mason Hayes & Curran; Union Internationale des Avocats; the Law Society of England & Wales and Veirano Advogados. We also want to thank all our cooperating entities for this meeting: American Branch of the International Law Association; American Society of International Law; Asian Institute of International Financial Law; Association Internationale des Jeunes Avocats; ANADE; Asociacion Nacional de Abogados de Empressa; Barra Mexicana; Canadian Bar Association; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; Connecticut Bar Association; Section of International Law; German Bar Association International Committee; Institute of Asian-Pacific Business Law; International Law Students Association; Inter-Pacific Bar Association; Korean Bar Association; LEX MUNDI; Nigerian Bar Association; Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch; Paris Bar Association; Shanghai Lawyers Association; The General Council of the Bar of England and Wales; the Law Society of England and Wales; Union Internationale des Avocats; and the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge with great appreciation the wonderful honor bestowed upon the Section and the ABA on Thursday night by our Nigerian friends and colleagues led by Chairman Bola Baderinwa, when they installed me as a “Chief” (Oloye Bamofin Owo) of one of the largest tribes in Nigeria. It is my understanding that such a ceremony is not only rare; it is particularly remarkable for its having taken place outside of Africa. It is with great pride that I am able to thank the very impressive and large contingent of Nigerians in attendance, as well as the many other active Section members from countries throughout the continent. Our increased African attendance is in large part a tribute to our wonderful Africa Committee and its continuing, strong leadership under Victor Mrozka, following in Edna Udobong’s (Division Chair) footsteps. The Section’s long history and presence in Africa is beginning to manifest itself at our seasonal meetings, and we are delighted. ILEX Brazil and Peru, here we come! Sao Paulo, April 26-28, and Lima 28-30 April, where our ILEX delegation will hold high level meetings with the Chief Justice, the justice ministers, law school deans, business organization leaders, bars and leading law firms – further strengthening our already strong relations and solid presence in the countries of Latin America. Of course, the Latin American/Caribbean Committee continues its impressive performance in the region. Led by Marcos Rios of Santiago and Guillermo Malm Green of Buenos Aires, who also edits the superb committee newsletter, the committee is doing extremely well. India – the newly-created India Committee is now setting the pace for new committees of the Section. Its co-chairs are Erik Wulff, Lalit Bhasin and Vandana Shroff. The committee grew out of the January 2009 ILEX delegation to India. The members of the delegation all contributed to a great report edited by former chair, Bob Lutz. If you’re interested in India, read the report and join the committee. Speaking of India, by now you should have received the Spring 2009 issue of the International Law News, Volume 38, No. 2, featuring India. Fali Nariman, President of the Bar Association of India, has written a provocative article entitled “Bending the Rule of Law…A Bit!” My column entitled “We are all Indians,” counters my distinguished friend’s thesis. Both articles are retrievable online at http://www.abanet.org/intlaw/mo/premium-ic/ILN38.2.pdf (login required). For all members interested in Section leadership, please register for our Leadership Retreat, immediately preceding the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago. The Retreat will take place on July 29th and 30th at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, about 1.5 hours drive from O’Hare International Airport (transportation options will be indicated on the Section website). Finally, if you have not already done so, I hope that you will click on the blue screen below the E-update on our home page to hear my brief overview of the Section and some of its attributes.
MEMBER NEWS Nominating Committee Report Posted Task Force on Financial Engineering and Economic Development. Section Awards Rona R. Mears Student Writing Competition & Scholarship Former Chairs Luncheon
For updates on programming and events, visit our Section calendar on-line at www.abanet.org/intlaw/calendar.
OTHER PROGRAMS OF INTEREST
PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT IN INTERNATIONAL LAWPathways Programs bring experienced international lawyers together with law students and young lawyers to share career paths and options. We encourage members to join Pathways panels at their local law schools. If you are interested in being a speaker at any upcoming programs, please contact Membership Director Angela Benson at bensona@staff.abanet.org or by phone at (202) 662-1664. Upcoming programs include:
ABA INTERNATIONAL CLE TELECONFERENCES ABA International hosts CLE teleconferences every month. We need your suggestions and ideas for future events. For more information about the Section’s CLE teleconference program, please contact Committees Coordinator Tally White at whitet@staff.abanet.org or by phone at (202) 662-1672. Mark your calendars for these upcoming teleconference programs taking place in conjunction with the 2009 Spring Meeting in Washington, DC:
PUBLICATIONSThe International Lawyer Vol. 42 No 4 Winter 2008 is now posted to the section website, to view the new issue please visit the International Lawyer website. The International Law News Vol. 38 No 2 Spring 2009 is now posted to the section website, to view the new issue please visit the International Law News website. The International Law Student News just launched it’s inaugural issue for Spring 2009. The newsletter is now posted on the Student Headquarters website.
KEY UPCOMING DEADLINES International Law News: June 24: Fall 2009 (Focus on Islamic Law and Finance)
STRATEGIC PARTNERS One of ABA International’s strategic partners, the International Division of the Law Society of England and Wales, is extending a special discount to Section members who want to join the International Division - 20% off of individual, affiliate and corporate membership until May 15th using this link: http://international.lawsociety.org.uk/join/ABA2009. We are very pleased to have negotiated this exceptional rate only for ABA International members. The International Division is the Law Society's international service designed to help lawyers and law firms develop their international business and build global relationships and profile. From negotiating with and lobbying the profession's regulators, government and others, to offering training and advice, the Law Society helps, protects, and promotes solicitors across England and Wales.
For the latest information on Committee programs and activities including brownbag lunches, seminars and webcasts please visit our Committees Homepage at: http://www.abanet.org/intlaw/committees/home.html We invite you to visit all of our Committee home pages — not only will you find highly relevant and valuable information relating to your interest area, you will also find updated leadership rosters. Recently updated Committee home pages include:
ABA INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE NEWSLETTERSABA International has more than 25 substantive newsletters. Our latest committee newsletters are listed below: We encourage you to click on each link.
ABA INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE PROGRAMSABA International committees organize a variety of committee programs that occur every month. Programs are organized for both live and teleconference participation. For more information, please contact Committees Coordinator Tally White at whitet@staff.abanet.org. Mark your calendars for these upcoming programs:
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