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Web Presence: Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter
The International Law Section is proud to announce that it now has its very own presence on both Facebook and Twitter. For cutting-edge information and news, follow us on Facebook and Twitter at:
http://www.facebook.com/CalbarILS
https://twitter.com/CalbarILS
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 winners of the Fifth Annual International Law Section Writing Competition will be announced end of April. Once again, we received many submissions from across the globe, and we thank all of the entrants for their participation.
All winning articles will be submitted for publication to The California International Law Journal . First Place Prize : $2,000.00; Second Place Prize : $750.00; Third Place Prize : $250.00
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: From the Land Down Under
by Alan Kindred
Special Feature from the Winter/Spring 2012 International Law Newsletter:
During November 2011, I travelled to Australia, where I met up with one of my Australian associates to discuss international trademark matters and the mediation of intellectual property disputes. I also took some time to visit my family in Sydney.
Upon arrival in Sydney, I caught the train from the Sydney International Airport terminal to beautiful Circular Quay (pronounced "key") on Sydney Harbor. You get spectacular views of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House both from Circular Quay and the ferry that I then took over to the north side of Sydney Harbor. On the ferry ride from Circular Quay, I watched tourists climbing to the top of the Bridge.
Sydney is famous for its fresh rock oysters and I had my fair share of them during my visit, washing them down with great Australian champagne. Australians do not celebrate American Thanksgiving, so on Thanksgiving Day, I enjoyed fresh fish on one of the Harborside beaches.
A visit to Sydney would not be complete without a performance at the Sydney Opera House. I attended a superb performance of Mahler's Second Symphony in the Concert Hall, travelling by ferry to the Opera House.
To complete my trip, I went to the Blue Mountains west of the City, where I took the steepest railway in the world down into a rain forest. On the way back, I went to a native animal reserve where I was able to get close up to kangaroos, koalas, emus and other native Australian animals.
Alan Kindred is an international intellectual property lawyer based in Los Angeles and mediator of intellectual property disputes. He is an Advisor Emeritus of the International Law Section.
Upcoming Events
Webinar: The World Is a Big Playground: Cross Over Issues Involving Foreign National Clients in Family Law, Estate Planning, and Immigration
Wednesday, July 18, 2012, 12 noon - 1 p.m.
You must register in advance in order to participate.
1 Total Participatory MCLE Credits, 0.5 of which may be applied toward Legal Specialization in Family Law, 0.5 of which may be applied toward Legal Specialization in Estate Planning; Trust & Probate Law, 1.0 of which may be applied toward Legal Specialization in Immigration & Nationality Law
This webinar will discuss the impact that separation, divorce, and death have on immigration status, international child custody issues, the role that domestic violence may have in gaining legal status, various factors that U.S. CIS uses in identifying a bona fide marriage, U.S. taxation of foreign nationals, tax planning before moving to the U.S., estate tax issues for foreign nationals living in the U.S. and related cross over issues.
Faculty: Greg Berk, Florence Phillips, Miriam Golbert and Josh Effron
The 85th Annual Meeting of The State Bar of California
The State Bar of California 85th Annual Meeting
October 11-14, 2012
Monterey, California
Save the dates! Join us for our return to Monterey. The 2012 State Bar Annual Meeting will feature cutting-edge educational programs, luncheons with renowned speakers, receptions and award ceremonies, exciting activities, the Fun Run/Power Walk, the annual art show, and more. The International Law Section will be presenting various programs on various of internationally-focused topics.
As always, the meeting offers a wide variety of MCLE choices, including credit in all of the subfields and legal specialization credit. For more information, see Annual Meeting.
Section Business
Meet Your Executive Committee Members
The International Law Section is managed by its Executive Committee, 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. This issue, we'd like to introduce you to some of our Committee participants!
Zahirah Mann, Member, is an economic development, environmental, and land use attorney with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. As part of her practice, she counsels boards on the formation and development of non-profits that assist low income communities, and represents organizations in addressing land use planning and development matters. Outside of her practice, Zahirah works on international human rights concerns with Amnesty International and CARE, and volunteers with various non-profits that work to change the lives of women and girls through education and other support. Zahirah is a graduate of Vassar College and Tulane University Law School. She also attended McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and the American University in Cairo, Egypt. Zahirah has traveled throughout Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East.
William Pao, Advisor, is an attorney at the Los Angeles office of O'Melveny and Myers. He has experience litigating and managing a wide range of complex commercial matters at the trial and appellate levels, including media and entertainment cases, consumer class actions, and cases involving Chinese companies. Will graduated Order of the Coif from the University of California, Berkeley Law School and summa cum laude from the University of Southern California. Will speaks Mandarin Chinese.
Mark Wakim, Member, represents entrepreneurs and businesses with local and international interests. Mark blends his array of business and legal experience from within the United States, the United Kingdom and the Middle East. While primarily a solo practitioner, Mark engages legal affiliates, local and expert counsel as necessary for the matter at hand. Mark is a published author. Mark formerly worked in the energy industry. He is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the Emory University School of Law. Mark is Californian and Lebanese, and speaks fluent Arabic.
Greg Berk, Executive Committee Advisor, is Chair of the Immigration Practice Group at Carothers DiSante & Freudenberger LLP, a labor and employment firm that represents California employers from its five offices throughout California. He assists employers and individuals on all aspects of immigration law. Greg is a past Chair of the Orange County Bar Association Immigration Law Section. He is also on the Board of Southern California Sister Cities – an organization dedicated to promoting international dialogue, cultural appreciation, and international trade.
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:
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, this E-Newsletter, and our Section’s presence on Facebook and Twitter. Chair: Elizabeth Foster.
The External Relations Committee is responsible for the Section’s interactions with other bar associations both within and outside of California. Chair: Enrique Hernandez.
The California International Law Journal Committee is responsible for soliciting, reviewing, and publishing articles for the California International Law Journal. Editor Mark J. Wakim.
The Law Student Committee is responsible for outreach to law students throughout the state and presents programs and networking events of interest to them. Co-Chairs: Marcus S. Quintanilla and Zahirah Mann.
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: Brian Arbetter.
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 for potential publication in future issues.
For more information on how to submit an article, please e-mail Editor :Mark J. Wakim.
Upcoming submission deadlines are:
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.
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.
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.
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
Confronting Complexity in International Law, Golden Gate University, San Francisco, April 6, 2012
Members of the International Law Section may be interested in and are invited to attend the following event free of charge:
The 22nd Annual Fulbright Symposium on International Legal Problems:
Confronting Complexity in International Law
Friday, April 6, 2012, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Golden Gate University
Room 2203, 536 Mission Street,
San Francisco, CA 94105
Golden Gate University (GGU) School of Law's Sompong Suchariktul Center for Advanced International Legal Studies invites all members of the International Law Section to attend the 22nd Annual Fulbright Symposium on International Legal Problems. The Symposium will be held at GGU on Friday, April 6, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Symposium will bring together some of the region's leading experts and scholars in international law and will feature a keynote address on "The Case for Elevating Official Corruption to the Status of a Crime in Positive International Law".
Keynote Speaker, Professor Dr. Ndiva Kofele-Kale, University Distinguished Professor & Professor of Law at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, Attorney and Counselor-at-Law of the Supreme Court of the United States & Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Cameroon. Previously served as Professor of Law at The University of Tennessee College of Law. Recipient of Woodrow Wilson Foundation, Ford Foundation, American Philosophical Society, American Political Science Association, and National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships.
A reception to honor distinguished guests and recent graduates of GGU's International Legal Studies Programs will follow.
RSVP to Brad Lai, Program Coordinator, Graduate Law Programs
415-369-5356 or blai@ggu.edu.
Networking Mixer, Los Angeles, April 19, 2012
Please join The State Bar of California International Law Section and the Immigration Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association for a networking mixer on Thursday, April 19, 2012, in Downtown Los Angeles from 6 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Cana Rum Bar, located at 714 West Olympic Blvd in Los Angeles, 213-745-7090. All are welcome.
The State Bar of California International Law Section is the official State Bar Section for all immigration lawyers, and this mixer is presented by these two groups given their natural affinity of dovetailed disciplines.
This is also a great opportunity to check out the Cana Rum Bar, which normally requires a membership to get in. The membership fee for the night will be waived for everyone attending the Networking Mixer.
The Cana Rum Bar boasts 140 variations of small batch rum. To find the Cana Rum Bar, look for the neon CANA sign on Flower Street. The entrance to the Cana Rum Bar is in the parking garage. No RSVP is needed and the only cost is what you drink payable to the Cana Rum Bar. We hope to see you there.
Webinar: Community Design Protection-Practice Tips
Co-sponsored by the International Law Section and the Intellectual Property Law Section, International Law Interest Group
Thursday, April 19, 2012, 12 noon - 1 p.m.
This program offers 1 hour participatory CLE credit. You must register in advance in order to attend.
Community Design Protection: How and Why Do It; Relationship to Design Patents; Outcome of the EU Apple Decision on Community Design Enforcement.
Speaker Dr. Holger Gauss of Grunecker , Munich, Germany is an expert in various aspects of EU IP law. He has spoken frequently on the Community Design System for non- EU practitioners and has commented upon the high profile recent European court case involving Apple and Community Design claims. Dr. Gauss co-authored McCarthy's chapter on German trademark and right of publicity law; written on use of celebrities in computer and video games; personality rights in mimics, gestures slogans and several handbooks on EU & German IP law. He speaks widely in Germany and the U.S.
International Law Members Serve as Judges at the 2012 Claremont Regional Mock Trial Tournament
International Law Section Members Jeff Daar and Diana Mack, as well as Advisor Emeritus Alan Kindred, enjoyed serving their communities as “judges” at the Claremont Regional Mock Trial Tournament on Sunday, February 25, 2012.
International Law Networking Mixer
International Law Section Members and Advisors enjoyed a Networking Mixer at the Cana Rum Bar on Thursday, February 22, 2012, in Downtown Los Angeles.
The Mixer was presented by the State Bar of California International Law Section and co-sponsored by the California Young Lawyers Association and the Los Angeles County Bar Association International Law Section. It was so successful that another Networking Mixer has been scheduled for the Cana Rum Bar on April 19. For more information, click here.
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.
Careers in International Law
Interested in developing an international law career? This traveling program, geared towards both law students and practitioners, features a panel of seasoned attorneys practicing in different fields in the international law area. The panelists 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.
U.C. Davis School of Law, March 27, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
from 12 noon - 1 p.m.
(Lunch will be served)
University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall)
Room 1002
400 Mrak Hall Drive
Davis, California 95616
Presented by the State Bar of California International Law Section Co-sponsored by the American Bar Association Section of International Law and University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall), California International Law Center and Career Services.
Admission to the program was free. See the printable flyer.
All law students in attendance will receive free student memberships in the State Bar of California International Law Section.
Panelists:
- Moderator/Speaker: Professor Afra Afsharipour, University of California, Davis School of Law
Speakers:
- Lon Hatamiya, The Hatamiya Group
- Ian Johnson, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
- Betsy Popken, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Southwest Law School, Los Angeles, March 8, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Westmoreland Building, Room 311
Southwestern Law School
3050 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90010
Presented by the State Bar of California International Law Section. Co-sponsored by the American Bar Association Section of International Law, the Los Angeles County Bar Association International Law Section, and Southwestern Law School, Career Services Office. Admission to the program was free. All law students in attendance received free student memberships in the State Bar of California International Law Section. See the program flyer for more information.
Moderator/Speaker: Jeff Daar, Daar & Newman
Speakers:
- Ismael Bautista, Jr., Fox Rothschild LLP
- Al Golbert, Golbert & Associates
- David Hirson, Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
- Robert Lutz, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School
- Zahirah Washington Mann, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
- William Pao, Jenner & Block LLP
Golden Gate University, San Francisco, February 15, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.Room 3208Golden 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. Admission to the program was free. All law students in attendance received free student memberships in the State Bar of California International Law Section. This program was be recorded by Golden Gate University School of Law.
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
Chapman University, Orange, February 16, 2012
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.. Admission to the program was free. All law students in attendance received free student memberships in the State Bar of California International Law Section.
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
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.
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.