The International Law Section Gazette | | |
Dear ILS Members and Friends,
Have you thought about getting involved with an ILS committee? It’s one of the best ways to make the most of your ILS membership!
With committees covering a broad range of regions, substantive practice areas, and initiatives, committee participation lets you connect with colleagues who share your interests and practice areas. Our committees also contribute directly to the ILS’s mission of elevating and shaping the practice of international law in Florida.
There are already many opportunities to participate in the months ahead. For example, the Asia Committee and Europe Committee will host a Joint Committee Networking Event on August 6 for current and prospective committee members. Our CLE Committee is currently looking for new content creators, speakers, and members interested in helping plan educational programming. The iLaw Steering Committee and Vis Pre-Moot Committee are beginning preparations for those signature events next February, making now an excellent time to join the planning process. Our newest ILS committee, the revamped Human Rights Committee, is excited to be getting organized and developing its activities for the coming year. The Immigration Liaison Committee, which has historically been one of our biggest CLE content creators, is holding a committee meeting by Zoom on September 15.
These are only a few of the many activities underway across the Section, and the complete list of committees appears below in this edition of the Gazette and is also available on the ILS website, along with each committee’s chair and contact information. Look for committee meetings, programs, and networking opportunities in the Gazette and posted on the ILS events calendar. I hope you will find a committee that interests you, introduce yourself, and become part of its work. Your involvement strengthens both the ILS community and the international law practice we serve.
Onward together,
Laura M. Reich
Florida Bar ILS Chair
lreich@harpermeyer.com
| |
|
-
August 6, 2026, 5pm-7pm - Joint Committee Networking Event, hosted by the ILS's Europe & Asia Committees at Americana Kitchen, 2950 Coconut Grove Drive, Coral Gables FL 33134
-
August 13, 2026, 12pm-1pm - ILS Webinar Series International Space Law: A Primer featuring Neha Dagley
-
August 19, 2026, 12pm-1pm - ILS Webinar Series Florida's Certified Legal Consultant Program: Requirements, Applications, and Practice featuring Robert Becerra
| |
|
Join the Europe & Asia Committees for a Joint Committee Networking Event! | |
|
Join us on August 6, 5pm - 7pm, at Americana Kitchen for a Joint Networking Event hosted by the Europe and Asia Committees! This is a great opportunity to learn more about these committees and connect with its members.
Please RSVP by contacting committee any of the committee co-chairs Susanne Leon sleone@leonezhgun.com, Neha Dagley ndagleyils@gmail.com, and Fred Rocafort fred@harris-sliwoski.com
| The Next ILS Webinar is Here! | |
|
Join us on August 13, 12pm - 1pm, for the next installment in our ILS Webinar Series, International Space Law: A Primer featuring Neha Dagley
Register here: 9910 International Space Law: A Primer
| Report from Immigration Liaison Committee: Dept. of Homeland Security Published New Final Rule | |
On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security published a Final Rule in the Federal Register entitled: “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media.” This Rule amends DHS’ regulations to change the admission period in the F, J, and I classifications from duration of status to an admission for a fixed time period, and additional changes to admission and extension requirements. The Rule will become effective September 15, 2026.
The new fixed period of time for students is based on the validity dates of a student’s program of study as listed on Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day period for arrival and an additional 30-day period for departure. The new fixed time period of I nonimmigrants is until they complete the activities or assignments consistent with the I classification, not to exceed 240 days. J-1 visa holders will be admitted for the length of their program as listed on their DS-2019, not to exceed 4 years.
Prior to the end date listed on Form I-20 or on Form I-94, students must apply for an extension of stay (EOS) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if they need additional time to complete their program of study, begin a new program of study, or to engage in post-completion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) OPT. Current F students admitted for duration of status who are present in the United States on the final rule’s effective date may remain in the United States without applying for an extension of status (EOS) up to the Program End Date on their Form I-20 or the end of their post-completion OPT or STEM OPT that is valid on the final rule’s effective date.
The Rule also implemented the following changes:
- F-1 students enrolled in programs below the graduate level cannot change educational levels during their first year of study, unless Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances.
- F-1 students enrolled in programs at the graduate level or above cannot change educational levels during their program of study.
- F-1 students, following the completion of a program of study, are prohibited from changing to a program of study at a lower educational level (e.g., moving from a master’s program to a bachelor’s program); or changing to a program of study at the same educational level (e.g., moving from a bachelor’s program to a bachelor’s program).
- F-1 students enrolled in programs below the graduate level cannot change their major during their first year of study, unless SEVP authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances.
- F-1 students enrolled in programs at the graduate level or above cannot change their majors at any point during their program of study.
- F-1 students now have 30 days to depart the United States after ending their studies early or completion of their program of study or post-completion OPT or STEM OPT extension, a decrease from the previous 60-day period.
- I nonimmigrants and J-1 nonimmigrants who are employment authorized with a specific employer incident to status continue to be authorized for such employment for up to 240 days while their timely filed EOS application is pending.
Contact Immigration Liaison Committee Chair Lary Rifkin lsrifkin@rifkinfox.com for more details.
| The Spring 2026 International Quarterly is Here! | |
The Spring 2026 International Law Quarterly is here!
This issue focuses on compliance under a variety of legal frameworks across various jurisdictions including foreign investments under U.S. law, E.U. sustainability and franchise law compliance matters, and compliance with immigration law developments in the United States.
Read the full issue here: https://bit.ly/3PSwa0N
| |
The International Law Deskbook (Second Edition) is Here! | |
|
The International Law Deskbook 2026 (Second Edition) is finally HERE! The Second Edition of the International Law Deskbook features 31 in-depth chapters: From international business, trade, finance, tax, immigration, and family law to litigation, arbitration, mediation, ethics, IP, environmental law, e-commerce, human rights, and international criminal and travel law, this edition covers it all.
This Deskbook is not only for Florida practitioners or those seeking Board certification in International Law. The Deskbook provides real-world guidance for navigating today’s complex international legal landscape, and includes highly anticipated “Doing Business” chapters, which offer jurisdiction-specific insights on Mexico, Canada, China, India, the European Union, and Africa. You can see the Deskbook’s table of contents and a sample chapter on our website.
Get your copy today!
| |
| Call for Member Submissions for the ILS Gazette! | |
Join the International Law Section! | | |
If you are reading the Gazette, chances are that you are a practitioner or a student with an interest in International Law, one of the most wide-ranging, exciting and challenging legal specialties. Everyone in our field knows how crucial it is to stay on top of diverse and evolving national legal regimes, and at the same time, the difficulty of keeping meticulously up-to-date on developments around the world.
The International Law Section (ILS) of The Florida Bar is here to help you, the practitioner, navigate both the everyday and big-picture challenges of our field. Our Section is your forum to share knowledge and best practices, and to meet and mingle with peers in professional collaborations that can only enhance your grasp of the specialty and your standing among clients and peers.
Let ILS membership assist you in developing a thriving international practice through peer network development that includes important shared learnings and reciprocal referrals of clients and casework.
If your practice transcends borders, join us in making this the authoritative, go-to forum for Florida and the gateway to the region for anyone practicing International Law. Our Section is open to lawyers from other states and countries, full-time faculty at U.S. law schools, and full-time U.S. law students, all of whom may participate as associate members. For more information regarding membership with the ILS, click HERE.
Turn in your membership application TODAY!
| | Join the Human Rights Committee! | | The Human Rights Committee is looking for new members! Interested in joining? Reach out to Committee Chair Richard Junnier rjunnier@junnierlaw.com for details. | | Join the Immigration Liaison Committee! | | The Immigration Liason Committee is looking for new members! Interested in joining? Reach out to Committee Chair Lary Rifkin lsrifkin@rifkinfox.com for details. | | |
Congratulations to Edgar de Leon on being recognized in Best Lawyers Dominican Republic Volume II! This recognition highlights the expertise of our membership. To read the full feature on Edgar, click here
Edgar has over two decades of experience advising clients on structuring, safeguarding, and assessing the risks of investments in the Dominican Republic with a focus the real estate and tourism sectors. You can reach Edgar at edgard@edllaw.com
| | |
The ILS always looks forward for opportunities to connect new members with the wider ILS community. To that end, we highlight our new member Terry Steele.
After spending nearly four decades living and working in Costa Rica as an entrepreneur, business owner, and investor, Terry returned to university to study law and was admitted to the Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Costa Rica. Terry serves as Founder and Managing Attorney of American Law Partners, where his practice is devoted to representing foreign investors, international businesses, expatriates, and families in cross-border legal matters throughout Costa Rica.
Much of Terry's work involves collaborating with attorneys and professional advisors in the United States and other jurisdictions on matters involving real estate transactions, legal due diligence, corporate law, foreign investment, estate planning, residency, and other international legal issues. My years as an entrepreneur continue to influence how I practice law, particularly my emphasis on practical advice, careful due diligence, and helping clients understand legal risks before significant decisions are made.
You can reach Terry at t.steele@americanlawpartners.com
| | |
The ILS Thanks its 2026 Sponsors
We look forward to another year of innovative programs where we can advance international law in Florida and further promote our sponsors.If interested in sponsoring the ILS, please contact our Treasurer, Adrian Nuñez at nuneza@gtlaw.com or Vice Treasurer, Omar Ibrahem at omar@okilaw.com for more details.
| | |
ILS Board Members and Officers
Chair: Laura Reich
Chair-Elect: Davide Macelloni
Secretary: Jeffrey S. Hagen
Treasurer: Adrian Nuñez
Vice-Treasurer: Omar K. Ibrahem
Immediate Past Chair: Cristina Vicens Beard
| | |
ILS Executive Council
Terms Expiring 2027
Priscila Bandeira
Fabio Giallanza
Penelope Perez-Kelly
Frederic Rocafort
Terms Expiring 2028
Phillip Buhler
Kristin Drecktrah Paz
Prof. Manuel A. Gomez
David O'Steen
Eve Perez-Torres
Lyubov Zeldis
Terms Expiring 2029
Matthew Akiba
Neha Dagley
Gary E. Davidson
Nouvelle Gonzalo
Susanne Leone
Jennifer Mosquera
To learn more about the ILS Executive Council Members, click here!
| | |
The ILS Gazette is a weekly publication of the Florida Bar International Law Section that informs members about upcoming programs, initiatives and resources.
If you have any questions about the Gazette or wish to include an announcement in future publications, please contact our ILS Gazette Editor, Alain Acanda at aacanda@sequorlaw.com.
| | Connect With Us on Social Media! | | © 2025. All Rights Reserved. | | | | |
