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News from the Section
First Annual International Lawyer of the Year Award
The International Law Section has inaugurated the International Lawyer of the Year Award to honor California legal practitioners who render extraordinary service to our profession in the field of international law.
The first annual International Lawyer of the Year Award was presented posthumously to Warren G. Christopher. The award was presented at our Annual International Law Section Cocktail Reception and Dinner on September 17, 2011 at the beautiful Sky Room overlooking Long Beach harbor. The award was accepted by Mr. Christopher's daughter, Lynn Collins.
Warren Christopher had a long and distinguished career both as a lawyer and statesman. Among his many accomplishments as the 63rd Secretary of State, Mr. Christopher brokered the Bosnian Peace Agreement during President Bill Clinton's first term in office. For many years, Mr. Christopher was a Senior Partner at the law firm of O'Melveny & Myers LLP in the firm's Century City office.
Aided by videoclips and anecdotes, we remembered Mr. Christopher's life-long commitment to the furtherance of international law and democracy around the world.
Lynn Collins and Advisor Emeritus Joseph Lestyk at the presenting of the first annual International Lawyer of the Year Award.
A Certificate of Appreciation from The City of Los Angeles was presented to Mr. Christopher's family by the Mayor of Los Angeles.
Second Annual International Lawyer of the Year Award - Call for Nominations!
Nominations for the second annual International Lawyer of the Year Award to be presented in 2012 are now being accepted.
All members of the International Law Section are invited to submit nominations for the 2012 award. Nominees must be members of the State Bar of California. There is no requirement that a nominee be a member of the International Law Section.
Please send nominations, accompanied by any material supporting the nomination, to the International Law Section's Subcommittee for the International Lawyer of Year Award, c/o Joe Lestyk, by e-mail to joe.lestyk@cox.net or by mail to 1762 Larkhaven Glen, Escondido, CA 92026.
Nominations must be received by January 20, 2012 to be considered.
Law Student Writing Competition
The Fifth Annual International Law Section Student Writing Competition is now underway. Submit a scholarly article on the topic of your choice and compete for a cash prize. All winning articles will be submitted for publication to The California International Law Journal . Deadline to submit is January 31, 2012. Any student currently enrolled in, or a 2011 graduate of, an accredited law school in a J.D., L.L.M., Ph.D and S.J.D. program may submit an article for consideration.
First Place Prize : $2,000.00; Second Place Prize : $750.00; Third Place Prize : $250.00
Congratulations to our 2010 winners:
First Place Prize ($2,000 prize):
Bioethics in the Organization of American States: Establishing a Human Rights Treaty to Combat Organ Trafficking
by Lia A. Mandaglio.
Second Place ($750 prize):
Combating Illegal Movie Piracy in China: A Three-Tiered Approach in Theatrical Films, DVDs, and Online Streaming
by Jessica Wang.
Third Place ($250 prize):
Oil Spill Pollution Solutions: International Liability for the Deepwater Horizon Crisis in a Transnational World
by Jessica Urban.
For complete rules, see 2011 Competition Rules. For general information about the competition, as well as a complete listing of past winners, see Student Writing Competition .
Note from Abroad: South Africa and Namibia
Special Feature from the Fall 2011 International Law Newsletter:
This past September, the long wait leading up to my African safari finally came to an end, and my trip to South Africa and Namibia started. I first came across the chance at this adventure with two close hunting buddies in January 2009. We were, for better or worse, the winning (and only) bidders at a live auction where all the items were donated by generous outfitters and sold to members of our group, Safari Club International. The proceeds support not-for-profit activity, conservation and hunters' rights.
I may have overstepped my bidding authority amongst my friends and co-buyers, that is, if there was any to start. Although I was confident we had a good deal at our bidding price, the shock of the gavel after that first nod along with the realization that we would eventually embark on the trip of a lifetime was clear, especially after one of my buddies called his wife to blame me for everything.
I arrived to Cape Town, South Africa a few days before our Namibian plains game safari was supposed to start. I had enough time to squeeze in a cage dive at Shark Alley, and swim (behind bars) with the Great Whites. Seeing those animals up close was like a celebrity sighting, and the fish endured a similar barrage of paparazzi-style photos and video taping from their onlookers.
Arriving in Windhoek, Namibia, I planned to spend my time in an area of the Kalahari desert about 70 miles from the country's capitol. Namibia is the second-least densely populated country, with under 7 people per square mile. It is also home to the Nama and Damara people, who speak the remarkable "click" language. On that long stretch of road leading to my outfitter's ranch of 60,000 acres, we saw 2 cars and one bushman walking along in about 3 hours, a relative traffic jam.
Each of the following days contained enough experiences to fill a book. I saw animals spanning the stretch from Africa's Big Five to the extraordinary. I ate foods I hadn't thought possible and I saw the land from a perspective that's unobtainable elsewhere. Namibia is a country full of frontiersmen, women and children. It is remarkable how all members of the family carry their weight, and the country can be as tough and welcoming as any other spot on the planet. I am looking forward to seeing it again soon.
Submitted by Mark Wakim, Beverly Hills
Upcoming Events
Law Student Career Days
Several times each year, the International Law Section, in conjunction with California law schools, presents a Law Student Career Day where law students can listen to and network with California international law practitioners. The following events are scheduled for 2012. Please watch our website for details.
February 15, 2012 – Golden Gate University School of Law.
February 16, 2012 – Chapman University School of Law.
March 8, 2012 – Southwestern Law School
Careers in International Law, San Francisco, February 15
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Room 3208
Golden Gate University School of Law
536 Mission Street
San Francisco, California 94105-2968
Presented by the State Bar of California International Law Section. See the flyer for this event here.
Co-sponsored by the American Bar Association Section of International Law and Golden Gate University School of Law, Law Career Services & Alumni Relations
Interested in developing an international law career? This program, geared towards both law students and practitioners, will feature a panel of seasoned attorneys practicing in different fields in the international law area. The panelists will discuss their respective paths in pursuing an international law practice, provide advice about starting or growing an international law practice in this global market, and answer questions from the program attendees.
Admission to the program is free. All law students in attendance will receive free student memberships in the State Bar of California International Law Section. This program will be recorded by Golden Gate University School of Law.
Confirmed Panelists:
Moderator: Neil Smith, Ropers Majeski Kohn Bentley PC
Speakers:
- Yukyong Choe, Center for the Study of Law and Society, UC BerkeleyLaw
- Dean Fealk, DLA Piper LLP (US)
- Ian Johnson, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
- Jan Nussbaum, Assistant Director for Professional Development, Golden Gate University School of Law, and former international transactions attorney at The Clorox Company
- Jesko Onken, International Legal Management
- Helena Younossi, Younossi Law
Careers in International Law, Orange, February 16
Thursday, February 16, 2012
11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Kennedy Hall, Room 142
Chapman University School of Law
One University Drive
Orange, California 92866
Presented by the State Bar of California International Law Section. See the flyer for the program here.
Co-sponsored by the American Bar Association Section of International Law, the Los Angeles County Bar Association International Law Section, and Chapman University School of Law, Career Services Office.
Interested in developing an international law career? This program, geared towards both law students and practitioners, will feature a panel of seasoned attorneys practicing in different fields in the international law area. The panelists will discuss their respective paths in pursuing an international law practice, provide advice about starting or growing an international law practice in this global market, and answer questions from the program attendees.
Admission to the program is free. All law students in attendance will receive free student memberships in the State Bar of California International Law Section.
Confirmed Panelists:
Moderator: Greg Berk, Carothers DiSante & Freudenberger LLP
Speakers:
- Qiang Bjornbak, Law Offices of Qiang Bjornbak
- David Hirson, Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
- Mauricio Leon de la Barra, Martin-Sanchez & Leon de la Barra, LLP
- Richard Schwarzstein, Law Offices of Richard J. Schwarzstein
Section Business
Get Involved with the International Law Section!
We encourage and welcome your involvement with the International Law Section. The more input we have from our Members, the better we are able to serve all of you. Volunteers are always welcome to participate in any of our Committees. Please contact the Chair of the Committee that interests you:
The E-Media Committee is responsible for the Section's website, our Section's Quarterly E-Newsletter, and our Section's presence on Facebook. Current Chair :Elizabeth Foster.
The Foreign Bar Relationships Committee is responsible for the Section's interactions with other bar associations both within and outside of California. Current Chair: Michael Newman
The Journal Committee is responsible for soliciting, reviewing, and publishing articles for The California International Law Journal. Editor: Dena Cruz.
The Law Students Committee is responsible for outreach to law students throughout the state and for putting on programs and networking events of interest to them. Co-Chairs: Harumi Hata and Brian Arbetter.
The Membership Committee is responsible for ensuring that we are providing value and content to our current Members as well as for outreach to future Members. Chair: Brent Caslin.
The Programs Committee is responsible for organizing and carrying out live and web-based programs, including all programs of the Section for the Annual State Bar Meeting. Chair: Jeffery Daar.
For more information about the International Law Section's activities, please see our Facebook page.
The California International Law Journal
The California International Law Journal is the signature publication for our Section. We welcome and encourage the submission of articles from its readers and others!
For more information on how to submit an article, please e-mail Editor:Dena Cruz.
Upcoming submission deadlines are:
Winter 2012 Issue: 12/30/2011 Final Date for submission of articles to editing team
Spring 2012 Issue: 3/28/2012 Final Date for submission of articles to editing team
Summer 2012 Issue: 6/26/2012 Final Date for submission of articles to editing team
Fall 2012 Issue: 9/26/2012 Final Date for submission of articles to editing team
The California International Law Journal is mailed in hard copy to each of our paying Members. Previous issues of The California International Law Journal are available online in our Members Only Area. Log into My State Bar Profile and select International Law "Members Only", or go directly HERE . You will need to log into My State Bar Profile to access this link.
The International Law Section is managed by its Executive Committee, which is comprised of individuals with a broad range of legal specialties who share a dedication to the expansion of cross-border and international practice. Contact information for our Officers, Members, Advisors, and Advisors Emeritus can be found HERE . For information on becoming a Member of the Executive Committee in the future, click HERE.
Meet Your Executive Committee Officers
Each year at the Annual Meeting of The State Bar of California, a new slate of officers is elected to lead the Executive Committee of the International Law Section. Here are your new officers who took office in Long Beach in September. We look forward to working with and serving our members in the upcoming year. We also encourage all of our members to apply for positions on the Executive Committee.
Brent Caslin, Chair of our Section, is a partner in Jenner & Block, LLP's Litigation Department, based in Los Angeles. He manages commercial and intellectual property disputes in the Western United States and around the Pacific Rim. Mr. Caslin has tried civil and criminal cases. He represents clients in state and federal courts, and before domestic and international arbitration tribunals. Mr. Caslin has extensive experience with applications for preliminary relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunction applications, and writs of mandamus. Although he is a U.S. trained trial lawyer, Mr. Caslin has substantial international experience, having lived and worked in Asia, Europe, and the United States. He regularly handles cross-border disputes, particularly for companies from Asia. In 2003, Mr. Caslin worked on international matters during a one year attorney exchange with the international law group at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto in Tokyo. He has served on the Executive Committee for the International Law Section of the State Bar of California since 2004 and previously served as Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
Jeffery J. Daar, Vice-Chair of our Section, has practiced law since 1982 and is a principal of the law firm Daar& Newman, based in Los Angeles. His expertise includes strategic planning, complex state and federal litigation, innovative dispute resolution, and international transactions and disputes. Mr. Daar's practice focuses on both litigation and transactional projects. In Consulegis, an international network of law firms, Mr. Daar is the Chair of its Intellectual Property, Entertainment Law and Information Technology Specialist Group coordinating lawyer specialists in these areas in more than 40 countries. He is also a member of its Marketing Steering Group (2010). Mr. Daar has served on the Executive Committee for the International Law Section of the State Bar of California since 2009 and previously served as Programs Committee Chair.
S. Elizabeth Foster, Secretary of our Section and Editor of this E-Newsletter, is a Partner with SNR Denton US 
LLP, resident in their Los Angeles and New York offices. Ms. Foster assists her clients in corporate and securities matters including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, private investments in public equity (PIPEs), and capital markets transactions. She enjoys the global platform offered by SNR Denton, which has over 60 offices in 43 countries around the world including in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Ms. Foster earned her law degree at UCLA Law School and studied at the Institute on International and Comparative Law in Paris. Prior to joining SNR Denton, she practiced with Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP in San Diego and with Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP in New York. Ms. Foster has served on the Executive Committee for the International Law Section of The State Bar of California since 2005 and previously served as Treasurer.
Brian S. Arbetter, Treasurer of our Section, is a partner with Baker & McKenzie LLP, based in San Diego. He 
has approximately two decades of experience advising and developing labor and employment strategies for multinational companies. This experience includes, among other things, employment discrimination and harassment, leaves of absence and disabilities, unions and works councils, wage and hour, restructurings and reductions in force, hiring, employment agreements and policies, codes of conduct, whistleblowing, affirmative action, health and safety, and employment law aspects of mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Arbetter represents employers and management exclusively. He frequently writes, speaks, and is quoted on labor and employment law issues. Mr. Arbetter has served on the Executive Committee for the International Law Section of The State Bar of California since 2010.
Spotlight on Members! Meet a Fellow International Law Section Member!
Greetings to Martin Perlberger, an International Law Section member who practices in both California and New York!
Martin earned his JD 1954, AB 1951, Stanford, is former Treasurer and Executive Committee member of the California State Bar International Law Section, and continues his practice at Perlberger Law Offices in Beverly Hills, New York City and Sacramento, emphasizing international, entertainment, real estate and technology deals, currently involving stage productions in London, Washington DC and New York City, animation films and television productions in Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Singapore, Los Angeles, feature film productions in Seattle and Los Angeles. He also is a WIPO domain name arbitrator, FINRA arbitrator and IFTA (International Film and Television Association) arbitrator.
His current bar association activities include chairman of the Beverly Hills Bar Association Business Law Section, Executive Committee member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Entertainment Law and Intellectual Property Law Section. His civic endeavors include membership of two Beverly Hills Unified School District Citizens Oversight Committees for respectively $90 million and $340 Million bond issues, and service on the President's Council of the American Jewish Committee in Los Angeles.
As with many of our members, travel is a passion for Martin. His more recent travels included Amsterdam, London, Patagonia (Argentina and Chile), India, Bangkok, Bali, Kuala Lumpur and China. When not abroad he plays tennis several times each week at the Beverly Hills Tennis Club, where the late Warren Christopher, JD 1949, was an active member, and he goes on horseback trail rides in various parts of California with members of the Cowboy Lawyers Association and Rancho California Caballeros. Martin may be reached at mpesq@perlberger.com
Introduce Yourself to the Membership!
Members are encouraged to introduce themselves and their areas of practice and/or services. Introductions will be included as received, subject to editing in the discretion of the Newsletter Editor and/or the State Bar, with a maximum of 3 per issue. Send introductions in an e-mail to Editor Elizabeth Foster with “Spotlight” in the “Subject” line. Feel free to include a photo of yourself!
ABA Liaison
The International Law Section for the State Bar of California is pleased to announce its continuing cooperation with the American Bar Association's International Law Section. Alexandra Darraby, the ABA SIL's liaison, recently met with the International Law Section's Executive Committee to discuss how the two bar groups can promote outreach and foster education on international issues, treaties, and conventions through joint programs, co-sponsorships, and cooperative ventures. Joint efforts are already underway, with the best interests of the ILS membership at their core. Please join us in welcoming Alexandra—a longtime member of the California International Law Section—in her new liaison role.
Online CLE for Participatory Credit - Available Anytime!
International Law Section past programs are available over the internet for participatory MCLE credit. For more information, see online CLE and select International Law. Be sure to check out CLEtoGo if you're interested in downloadable podcasts.
Recent Events
Institute for Transnational Arbitration's 1st Annual Winter Forum San Francisco, February 2-3, 2012
The State Bar of California's International Law Section was a co-sponsor of this event.
The Institute for Transnational Arbitration (ITA) , a division of the Center for American and International Law in Dallas, presented its 1st Annual Winter Forum in San Francisco on February 2-3, 2012.
The inaugural Winter Forum was designed to draw together leading practitioners and academics in international arbitration for dialogue on key issues confronting the practice today. The faculty consisted of many of the top internationally recognized experts in the field, both in practice and academia.
Executive Committee's Annual Long-Range Planning Meeting
The Executive Committee of the International Law Section held its annual long-range planning meeting in San Francisco on January 20-22, 2012. Working sessions were led by Brent Caslin, Chair, and included planning for upcoming programs, increasing the use of e-media for member outreach and education, enhancing involvement of law students in our events, and continuing to create real value for our members.
The Annual Long-Range Planning Meeting included social networking events that will allow our Members, Advisors and Advisor Emeritus to get to know each other better in preparation for the upcoming year's work.
If you are interested in joining or otherwise interacting with the Executive Committee, please contact any of our officers named above. You can find their contact information on our website . We would welcome your involvement.
Second Annual Joint Symposium with Tokyo Dai-Ichi Bar Association
Southern California, November 4, 2011
In 2010, members of the International Law Section traveled to Tokyo to participate in a three-day exchange of ideas with members of the Dai-Ichi Bar Association, including a one day seminar on proposed changes to Japan's discovery system in litigation and the promotion of arbitration in Japan. On November 4, 2011, the International Law Section joined the Dai-Ichi Bar Association in Los Angeles to present the second installment in the two bar associations' joint education series. This year's joint program held at the JW Marriott at LA Live focused on “Intellectual Property Issues Facing Japanese Companies and Cross Border Business.”
During this exciting all-day program, lawyers learned about the international aspects of intellectual property issues from top-notch leaders in the legal field as well as government representatives. The Consul General of Japan delivered the keynote address at the program.
Lunch was served and the program ended with an evening networking reception.
Left: The Tokyo Dai-Ichi Bar Association's delegation to Los Angeles.
Right: Section Chair Brent Caslin presents a gift to the delegation.
For information on our Third Annual Joint Symposium, contact Section Chair Brent Caslin.
The International Law Section has a friendship agreement with the Dai-Ichi Bar Association, under which the two bar groups have agreed to exchange information and to help each educate their membership and strengthen the relationship between the lawyers of California and Japan. This Second Annual Joint Symposium furthered those efforts. To read the Friendship Agreement click HERE.
Webinar: Doing Right by Your Foreign Investor: Ten Due Diligence Items Which Should Make Every Transaction List
This webinar was originally held on October 25, 2011 and is now available in our online catalog for 1.25 hours of participatory MCLE credit either as an online seminar or as a podcast.
Speakers Fred Rodriguez, Esq., Al Golbert, Esq. and David Hirson, Esq. discussed the various immigration and tax considerations raised by inbound international investments. Among other issues, this Webinar helps international transactional attorneys to understand visa options for foreign investor clients that impact the structure, location, source and amount of investment; when to bring in U.S. immigration attorneys to avoid jeopardizing a client's opportunity for US permanent residence; and tax planning for the client, the client's business and the client's family members. This program also covered immigration and corresponding tax issues that should be considered by foreign nationals and their advisors when investing in the U.S.
Webinar: Public International Law and Responsibility to Protect Doctrine – Compatible or in Conflict?
This webinar was originally held on October 4, 2011 and is now available in our online catalog for 1 hour of participatory MCLE credit either as an online seminar or as a podcast.
Webinar: Public International Law and Responsibility to Protect Doctrine – Compatible or in Conflict?
Attendees of this Webinar earned 1 hour of MCLE Credit. The following questions were addressed: What is the relationship between the principles of the UN Charter regarding military intervention and the evolving doctrine of Responsibility to Protect Doctrine (R2P)? Are they compatible or do they conflict? What is the legal status of R2P? May the Security Council by resolution or member states by unilateral action establish new norms for intervention without modifying the Charter? What are the justifications in public international law for military intervention in a sovereign state? What are the historical precedents for humanitarian interventions and how have these been judged in retrospect? Do developing countries have the same view of R2P as developed countries?
Speakers were: David Glazier, Professor of Law, Loyola Law School; David Kaye, Executive Director, UCLA Law School's International Human Rights Program, and; Cynthia Cannady, Attorney at Law.
Our Section webinars are a great way to earn CLE credits for a low fee while sitting in the comfort of your own office or home. For more information on our webinars and other on-line CLE materials, please click HERE.
The State Bar of California 84th Annual Meeting
September 15-18, 2011, Long Beach, California
The California State Bar held its 84th Annual Meeting from September 15-18, 2011 in Long Beach, where hundreds of California lawyers enjoyed the chance to complete all their continuing education requirements in one weekend. The four-day gathering offered over 150 MCLE courses in three focused educational tracks: substantive law, legal specialization, and practice skills and technology. Local bar associations will hold receptions, law school alumni will meet, and the weekend highlight will be “Hollywood Night” aboard the Queen Mary, sponsored by CalBar Connect, the bar's member benefits program.
As part of the Annual Meeting, the International Law Section presented the following eight programs:
- Program 26 : Global Best Practices Under Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
- Program 57 : The Legal Challenges to Addressing Human Trafficking in California
- Program 68 : Top Ten Global Employment Bell Ringers of 2011
- Program 81 : Understanding and Managing Global Data Privacy Compliance
- Program 93 : Cross-Border Litigation Issues and Strategies
- Program 108 : Immigration and Export Control: Renewed Focus of DHS
- Program 133 : Hot Topics in International Intellectual Property Law
- Program 156 : Top Issues in International Mergers & Acquisitions
The International Law Section is happy to report that several programs surpassed attendance records from previous meetings.
International Law Section Executive Committee Annual Meeting
September 17, 2011, Long Beach, California
The Executive Committee of the International Law Section held its annual meeting in Long Beach on September 17, 2011, in conjunction with the Annual Meeting.
New Officers, Members and Advisors for the Section were introduced and our Section's plans for the upcoming year were discussed. The working session was followed by dinner.
Contact Us
International Law Section
The State Bar of California
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1639
ils@calbar.ca.gov
415-538-2380
FAX-415-538-2368
The International Law Section is a State Bar of California-approved MCLE provider.