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The International Law Section Gazette

Section News

See You at iLaw THIS FRIDAY

Mark your calendars: The Florida Bar International Law Section’s flagship conference returns February 13, 2026, at the JW Marriott Marquis in Miami.


Expect to join legal practitioners from 20+ jurisdictions for plenary sessions, a stand-out keynote, incredible networking, and three breakout tracks: International Litigation, International Business Transactions, and AAA-ICDR International Arbitration.


Registration for iLaw 2026 is now open. With keynote Robert Mahari and attendees from 20+ jurisdictions, the program is expected to sell out.


➡️ Register Here: https://bit.ly/4rKe15W


➡️ Hotel Block: https://bit.ly/3MmcJxX


Make sure to secure your registration and hotel room early! See you there.

ILS Chair's News & Notes

Dear colleagues and friends,


iLaw is finally here! We officially kick things off this Thursday, February 12, with our opening cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. at Boulud Sud, and we would love to see you there. If you’re registered for iLaw, your ticket already includes access to the opening cocktail. And if you’re unable to attend the full conference but would still like to reconnect with friends and colleagues, you’re welcome to purchase a ticket for the opening cocktail only—just follow the iLaw registration link to sign up.

We are also still seeking one volunteer virtual arbitrator for the 3:15–4:15 p.m. round of the Richard DeWitt Memorial Vis Pre-Moot, hosted by JAMS on Saturday, February 14. This is a fantastic opportunity to earn CLE credit while supporting both local and international students as they prepare for the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna. If you’re interested in volunteering, please email Jennifer Mosquera at jmosquera@sequorlaw.com.

We look forward to seeing many of you this week and hope you’ll join us as we kick off what promises to be a great iLaw.


Un abrazo, 



Cristina Vicens Beard

Florida Bar ILS Chair

cvb@bluestonelaw.com

ILS 2025-2026 Calendar

  • February 11, 2026, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. - “Who Picks the Arbitrator: You or the Algorithm?”, Event hosted by JAMS and Jus Mundi, @ JAMS, One Biscayne Tower, First Floor Conference Center, 2 South Biscayne Boulevard”


  • February 12, 2026 - Mid-Year Executive Council Meeting


  • February 12, 2026, 6:30 p.m. - iLaw 2026 Opening Cocktail Reception at Boulud Sud


  • February 13, 2026 - iLaw 2026


  • February 14, 2026 - Richard DeWitt Memorial Vis Pre Moot


  • February 18, 2026 - ILS Webinar Series - H-1B Visas: Key Changes Shaping the Future of U.S. Immigration and Alternatives featuring Larry Rifkin, Juan Carlos Freire, and Elaine Weiss


  • March 10, 2026 - ILS Webinar Series - International Litigation and Arbitration: A Review

This Past Week

Episode 15 of the Florida Bar International Law Section Lightning Round Series dropped on February 4 featuring Javier Fernandez-Samaniego of Osborne Clarke! If you haven't tuned in yet, you can still watch it here:


https://www.linkedin.com/posts/internationallawsection_floridabar-floridabarinternationallaw-legalservices-activity-7424834468168859649-RXB7?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADHbRUUB6W09oFiN1AnzmWtAMh02jBGlTbs

Announcements

Reminder: iLaw Opening Cocktail THIS THURSDAY

Join us on February 12, 2026, 6:30 pm, at the Opening Cocktail Reception for iLaw 2026 at Boulud Sud.


We look forward to kicking off another fantastic iLaw with you!

Join us for Who Picks the Arbitrator: You or the Algorithm?

Join us on February 11, 2026, 5:30-8:30 pm, for an engaging event Who Picks the Arbitrator: You or the Algothrim hosted by Jus Mundi, JAMS, the FL Bar ILS, and MIAS at JAMS' office at One Biscayne Tower.


With iLaw taking place soon after, this program offers a great opportunity to connect, engage substantively, and kick off the week’s discussions in advance of iLaw. Notably, Robert Mahari— iLaw keynote speaker—will be participating on the panel, making this a particularly timely and engaging event for our members.


Register here

Robert J. Becerra, Past-Chair of the ILS, is Running for Seat 5 for the 11th Circuit Florida Bar Board of Governors

Robert J. "Bob" Becerra, Past-Chair of the International Law Section is running for Seat 5, 11th Circuit for the Florida Bar Board of Governors. The election is being held from February 27-March 15, 2026. To learn more about Bob, a Florida Bar Board Certified international lawyer and his candidacy, click here

Register to be an Arbitrator at the Richard DeWitt Memorial Vis Pre-Moot!

The Florida Bar International Law Section presents this hybrid Pre-Moot competition, giving students hands-on experience in challenging arbitration rounds and preparing them for the prestigious Willem C. Vis Moot in Vienna. This is one of our favorite events of the year, as we get a chance to give back to the law schools and contribute toward their travel costs.


Volunteer arbitrators are invited to join and earn CLE credit, while law students gain practical skills, insight into international law, and the chance to engage with peers from Florida and around the world.


Be part of this exciting tradition that shapes the next generation of international law professionals!


Schools and volunteer arbitrators can register now: https://bit.ly/3XN56TB

Our Next ILS Webinar Series is Here!

Join us on February 18, 2026, at 12 PM for for the next installment in the ILS Webinar Series featuring Larry Rifkin, Juan Carlos Freire, and Elaine Weiss.


Be sure to register here: February 18, 2026 ILS Webinar

Call for Articles for Spring 2026 International Law Quarterly

The Editors of the International Law Quarterly are making their call for articles to be featured in the Spring 2026 edition of the International Law Quarterly with a focus on Compliance in International Law. If you're interested in submitting an article, please submit a short statement of interest to co-editor Jennifer Mosquera at jmosquera@sequorlaw.com by February 27, 2026.

Save the Date - International Litigation and Arbitration: A Review

Mark your calendar! 🗓️


Join us on March 10, 2026, 9 AM – 4 PM for a full-day CLE series: International Litigation and Arbitration: A Review.


Gain expert guidance, practical tools, and key legal strategies. Registration and further details will be available soon. Stay tuned!

The Fall 2025 International Quarterly is Here!

The Fall 2025 International Law Quarterly is here!


This issue explores critical North American legal developments, including the 2026 USMCA Joint Review, cross-border trade and EV infrastructure, criminal enforcement of import duties, multinational tax challenges, TN visa requirements, AI and data regulation, and more. Dive into expert analysis on the evolving legal landscape shaping the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.


Read the full issue here: https://bit.ly/3PSwa0N

Membership Benefits

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 an ILS Committee Today!

 

Amicus Committee

 

Chair: Edward Mullins

emullins@reedsmith.com

 

Arbitration & Mediation Committee


Chair: Javier Samaniego

javier.samaniego@osborneclarke.com


Asia Committee

 

Chairs: Neha Dagley | Fred Rocafort

neha.dagley@dagleylaw.com

fred@harrisbricken.com

 

CLE Initiatives Committee

 

Chairs: Kristin Drecktrah Paz | Ana Barton

kristin.paz@pierferd.com

abarton@reedsmith.com

 

Europe Committee

 

Chairs: Susanne Leone | Davide Macelloni

sleone@leonezhgun.com

dmacelloni@drbdc-law.com

 

Foreign Legal Consultant Committee

 

Chair: Robert J. Becerra

rbecerra@rjbecerralaw.com

 

iLaw Steering Committee

 

Chairs: Davide Macelloni | Adrian Nuñez

dmacelloni@drbdc-law.com

nuneza@gtlaw.com

 

ILS Deskbook Committee

 

Co-Editors: Robert Kossick | Laura Reich | Larry S. Rifkin | Clarissa Rodriguez | Pamella Seay

robert.kossick@harrisbricken.com

lsrifkin@rifkinfox.com

lreich@harpermeyer.com

crodriguez@harpermeyer.com

p-seay@usa.net

 

ILS Gazette Committee

 

Chair: Alain Acanda

aacanda@sequorlaw.com



Immigration Liaison Committee


Chair: Larry S. Rifkin

lsrifkin@rifkinfox.com


International Law Board Certification Committee

 

Chair: Robert J. Becerra

rbecerra@rjbecerralaw.com


International Law Quarterly Committee

 

Chair: Jennifer Mosquera

 jmosquera@sequorlaw.com


International Litigation and Arbitration Board Certification Committee

 

Chair: Kristin Drecktrah Paz

 kristin.paz@pierferd.com


International Tax Law Committee

 

Chair: Jeff Hagen

jhagen@harpermeyer.com

 

Law School Liaison Committee

 

Chairs: Prof. Manuel A. Gomez | Laura Reich

magomez@fiu.edu

lreich@harpermeyer.com

 

Legislative Committee

 

Chair: Carlos F. Osorio

 cosorio@osorioint.com

 

Lunch & Learn Committee

 

Chairs: Arnoldo B. Lacayo | Edward H. Davis

alacayo@sequorlaw.com

edavis@sequorlaw.com


North America Committee

 

Chair: Nouvelle Gonzalo

ngonzalo@gonzalolaw.com

  

Richard DeWitt Memorial Vis Pre-Moot Committee

 

Chair: Priscila Bandeira

pbandeira@duanemorris.com

 

White Collar Crime Committee

 

Chair: Robert J. Becerra

rbecerra@rjbecerralaw.com

Visit Our Sponsors

The ILS Thanks its 2025 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, Jeffrey Hagen at jhagen@harpermeyer.com or Vice Treasurer, Adrian Nuñez at nuneza@gtlaw.com for more details.

ILS Board Members and Officers


Chair: Cristina Vicens Beard

Chair-Elect: Laura Reich

Secretary: Davide Macelloni

Treasurer: Jeffrey S. Hagen

Vice-Treasurer: Adrian Nuñez

Immediate Past Chair: Ana M. Barton

ILS Executive Council


Terms Expiring 2026



Matthew Akiba

Lauren Bengochea

Neha Dagley

Gary E. Davidson

Nouvelle Gonzalo

Susanne Leone

Jennifer Mosquera


Terms Expiring 2027


Priscila Bandeira

Fabio Giallanza

Penelope Perez-Kelly

Frederic Rocafort


Terms Expiring 2028



Phillip Buhler

Kristin Drecktrah Paz

Prof. Manuel A. Gomez

Omar K. Ibrahem

David O'Steen

Eve Perez-Torres

Lyubov Zeldis



To learn more about the ILS Executive Council Members, click here!

About the ILS Gazette

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.

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