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Colleagues and Friends, March has been an important month for the advancement of the Just Rule of Law around the world. The President of the ABA, Tommy Wells, has written to President Obama in support of the International Criminal Court. The ICC’s issuance of an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al Bashir this month is an historical event. This month’s release from house arrest of Mr. Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Choudhry, Chief Justice of Pakistan, is a tribute to many who played a role, including in particular, the ABA and the Section, as seen from the following letter just received:
Not only has March been important; April will also be a shining month in international law because April is when ABA International holds its Annual Spring Meeting – covering the entire field of international law – as discussed further below. Putting our role in context: ABA International is front and center in promoting the Just Rule of Law around the world. This year we are featuring our sixth annual “Just Rule of Law Day”. In some countries, the laws are unfair and unjust; in others, laws which, on their face, appear fair and just, are enforced in unfair, inconsistent, and unjust ways. In both cases, governments defend their evil actions in the name of the “rule of law”. Both are examples of the rule of law gone wrong. The laws of all countries must guarantee all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; otherwise, justice is lacking. Without justice, the rule of law rings hollow. On the other hand, where the law is fair and just and where it is applied fairly and with justice, the “Just Rule of Law” resounds. Hence, we celebrate the “Just Rule of Law Day.” Just Rule of Law is also one of our Spring Meeting program tracks. Examples of track programming during the meeting include:
All are part of ABA International’s Spring Meeting 2009 in Washington, DC, April 14-18th. This will be our best and our biggest Spring Meeting in history, covering international business, trade, anti-trust, regulatory matters, finance, politics, banking, employment, family law, criminal law, courts, United Nations, dispute resolution, regional developments, and much, much more. You may choose from more than 80 substantive programs in 8 tracks, covering virtually all areas and issues in contemporary international law. The world’s leading international jurists and lawyers will be with us, from dozens of countries: You should be there and be part of this event. Let’s talk very briefly about the 100+ committees and task forces we have in ABA International. About three quarters of them deal with areas of substantive law. Because committees are ABA International’s backbone, we have scheduled several times during the Spring Meeting when committees should all be planning to meet – and when you can join or get even more involved in the committee(s) of your choice: Wednesday evening in a more social context at the Kennedy Center, Friday breakfast to meet your Division Chairs, and again Friday for a working committee lunch. In addition, there are workshops throughout the week to help you improve your skills and opportunities within the Section. Substantive programming of ABA International is the best there is, and our Spring Meeting has more of it than ever before – all in a few short days, coupled with extraordinary activities and events ideal for great networking. Our receptions, lunches, and breaks – and the ambience of this truly multinational event – will be memorable and rewarding. We are expecting special delegations from the leaders of the bars of Nigeria and India, with which we have established close and very important relations. There is even talk of a special African ceremony taking place at our free, Thursday night, live music, reception. Tuesday’s opening reception features the presentation of the Mayre Rasmussen Award for the Advancement of Women in International Law as well as a short welcome by former Council member, Carolyn Lamm, president-elect of the ABA. The traditional closing reception at the State Department on Friday evening is always a special event, and we are hoping to have Secretary Clinton there as our guest. Finally, our Council Meeting on Saturday morning is open to all Section members. The World Order Under Law Award is being presented to Hans Corell, former United Nations Under-Secretary General for Legal Affairs, who will make some brief remarks. Many other renowned jurists and bar leaders are expected to attend the meeting – of course, a number of them are Council members. The policy debates should be of interest to all, and the event is open; you are all invited to attend. Please check the program now. It is truly amazing. I look forward to seeing you in Washington.
MEMBER NEWS ANNUAL ABA DAY AT THE UNITED NATIONS At lunch, the Delegation heard from Ambassador Fernando Valenzuela, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to the UN, and his thoughts on the European Union’s work with the UN and the U.S. Mission to the UN. Following lunch, the Delegation visited the U.S. Mission to the UN, where they met with Ambassadors Susan Rice and Rosemary DiCarlo, as well as the Chief of the UN Management and Reform Section, Bruce Rashkow; Chief of the ECOSOC Section, Robert Hagen; and Attorney-Advisers in the Legal Section, Mark Simonoff and James Donovan. The sense of optimism was apparent the whole day and the Delegation came away with renewed enthusiasm in its long time support of the Mission and of U.S. involvement in UN initiatives, as well as valuable insights into current issues during these challenging times.
The practice of law has always been demanding and challenging. Just ask any senior colleague and they will tell you. However, today’s lawyers face particular difficulties in balancing between a successful career and fulfilling family and personal life. Demands seem to have accelerated dramatically as the pace of living has quickened. We have all heard what happens when imbalance occurs: burn outs, depression, substance abuse, divorce and suicide. These seem to be negative “hallmarks” of the legal profession. Is it possible to excel as a lawyer while living well and enjoying life to its fullest whether you are a millennial or a baby boomer? These questions will be explored and thoughtful analysis will be given to the issues by new and experienced practitioners providing their perspective on practicing law in the 21st century and keeping it fulfilling with a sane and rewarding personal life. The Taskforce will explore these issues from an international standpoint examining the practice of law around the world. The Taskforce will be a global forum to raise awareness and facilitate an open discourse on lifestyle issues we face through out our careers. We welcome your participation in the taskforce. You can become part of the solution in providing strategic advice to implement practical changes in the profession for the wellbeing of all of our members. The Taskforce has already committed to tackling the following issues:
Joining our taskforce will be the first step in enhancing your career fulfillment! Join here!
Zack, a Cuban-American who has practiced law in Miami for more than 35 years, said he also plans to convene a commission to focus on Hispanic legal rights, including immigration, voting and consumer rights. If elected at the ABA Annual Meeting in August, he will begin his one-year term as president in August 2010. A member of the House of Delegates since 1988 and a former chair of that body as well as a former member of the Board of Governors, Zack has a long record of service to the association. Most recently, he was member-at-large of the Long Range Planning Committee of the Board of Governors, a member of the Center for Racial and Ethnic Diversity, a member at large of the Section of International Law, and secretary of the American Bar Endowment. He is a life fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He also served on the Commission on the Judiciary in the 21st Century and is a former chair of the ABA Latin American Council. A former president of the Florida State Bar, he was president of the National Conference of Bar Presidents and is a former chair of the Standing Committee on Bar Activities and Services. Zack received his law degree from the University of Florida.
SECTION AWARDS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE SPRING MEETING International Human Rights Lawyer Award 2009 Recipient: Andrew Makoni Leonard J. Theberge Award for Private International Law 2009 Recipient: Mary Helen Carlson Louis B. Sohn Award for Public International Law 2009 Recipient: James Carter Mayre Rasmussen Award for the Advancement of Women in International Law 2009 Recipient: Mary J. Harnett World Order Under Law Award 2009 Recipient: Hans Corell
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:
KEY UPCOMING DEADLINES International Law News: June 24: Fall 2009 (Focus on Islamic Law and Finance)
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:
NEW COMMITTEESIndia Committee - supports ABA members with interests in India related legal matters. Committee work, including programs, both in the US and India, includes review, analysis, comment and information sharing on matters of law, policy and legal practice. Within India, the committee intends to facilitate links and understanding between the US and legal practitioners and law students in India. Join Now! International Mediation Committee - monitors and encourages the development of international mediation and other ADR processes (excluding arbitration) internationally to resolve commercial and investment disputes. IMC will provide a community for section members who are interested in the field (through participation in the committee list serve and at committee meetings); develops CLE programs, session proposals, newsletter articles, committee newsletters, public service projects, and/or publication(s) to assist members; and may, on occasion, make policy recommendations. The Committee will promote the understanding and uses of mediation, and offer members ways to incorporate international mediation into their practice and to promote best practices in the field. The IMC will work collaboratively with the International Arbitration Committee (IAC) of the ABA SIL as well as other related ABA and non-ABA entities to promote the use of mediation and other ADR processes internationally. The IMC will also enhance the Committee's membership, as well as the diversity of the Committee's leadership. The Committee will provide information and technical assistance to members, legislators, courts, government departments and the general public on the conduct and promotion of mediation and other ADR processes internationally. Join Now! The name and mission of the International Health Law Committee has changed. The newly named “International Life Sciences and Health Law Committee” will consider, inform and engage its members, the Section and the ABA on current and developing issues of importance in both public and private international life sciences and health law, e.g., international control of emerging and other communicable diseases; managing health care costs and privatization of health care systems; international trade and sustainable health; science, genetic testing and the workplace. The Committee will also bring together lawyers from different countries whose practice areas focus on advising and counseling life science companies, such as pharmaceutical, medical device, biologics, cosmetic and food companies on regulatory issues facing those specific industries. All companies face legal and regulatory issues relating to marketing authorization, reimbursement (where applicable), privacy and human rights protections, and pricing/fair competition, to name a few. However, each country and region has its own set of rules and requirements, and the Committee will allow participants the opportunity to network with their counterparts in other countries and educate them, as well as their clients, on the respective countries' laws. Join Now!
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. International Refugee Law Subcommittee: Winter 2009 Newsletter
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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COUNCIL MEMBER STEPHEN N. ZACK NOMINATED