The International Law Section Gazette | | |
Dear colleagues and friends,
I have some exciting news: after years of hard work, the ILS is finally ready to publish the second edition of the International Law Deskbook. This new edition will feature more than 30 chapters authored by a distinguished group of international law practitioners and will provide practical, up-to-date guidance across a broad range of international and cross-border legal issues, including international trade, finance, arbitration, litigation, tax, compliance, and more.
As with the first edition, the International Law Deskbook, Second Edition will serve as the study guide for The Florida Bar Board Certification Exam in International Law. Even for those not planning to sit for the exam, the Deskbook will be an invaluable resource for any practitioner whose work intersects with international law. We will be selling the Deskbook at iLaw and through our website—more details to come soon.
This project would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of our Deskbook editors—Robert Kossick, Pamela Seay, Laura Reich, Clarissa Rodriguez, and Larry Rifkin—whose dedication, judgment, and countless hours of work brought this ambitious project to fruition. We are deeply grateful for their leadership and commitment to the Section.
Finally, a reminder that our Orlando Lunch & Learn will be graciously hosted by Greenberg Traurig next week, on January 28. Space is still available, and you may reserve your spot by emailing Whitney Jobson.
Un abrazo,
Cristina Vicens Beard
Florida Bar ILS Chair
cvb@bluestonelaw.com
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January 23, 2026 - White & Case International Arbitration Lecture: "Arbitrator Conflicts/Bias: What Rules Control and the Need for a Unified Standard?” featuring Dyala Jimenez
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January 26-28, 2026 - ABA International Law Section, The Americas Conference, Mexico City. ILS members may use the code FLILAC2025 at the end of the registration process to get a discount.
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January 28, 2026 - Orlando Lunch & Learn featuring Michael A. Tessitore and moderated by J. Brock McClane
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February 12, 2026 - Mid-Year Executive Council Meeting
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February 13, 2026 - iLaw 2026
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February 14, 2026 - Richard DeWitt Memorial Vis Pre Moot
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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
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March 10, 2026 - ILS Webinar Series - International Litigation and Arbitration: A Review
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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.
➡️ Early Bird Registration: https://bit.ly/4rKe15W
➡️ Hotel Block: https://bit.ly/3MmcJxX
Make sure to secure your registration and hotel room early! See you there.
| Our Next Orlando Lunch & Learn is Here! | |
Join us on January 28, 2026 at 12:00 PM for our next Orlando Lunch & Learn, featuring Michael A. Tessitore and moderated by J. Brock McClane.
📧 Space is limited. RSVP to Whitney (wjobson@floridabar.org) to register.
| Save the Date: White & Case International Arbitration Lecture | |
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Don’t miss out on the White & Case's International Arbitration Lecture featuring Dyala Jimenez, Arbitrator and Founder of DJ Arbitraje, on January 23, 2026, from 5:30-7:30pm hosted by the University of Miami School of Law's White & Case International Arbitration LL.M. Program and the International Arbitration Institute. The topic of the lecture is Arbitrator Conflicts/Bias: What Rules Control and the Need for a Unified Standard?”
The lecture will take place both in person, at the University of Miami School of Law Library, and virtually via Zoom with a reception to follow. This event is also approved for 2 CLE Credits!
Attendance is free but registration is required. Register for in person attendance here .Register for zoom attendance here
your opportunity to register for the ABA International Law Section’s “The Americas Conference” on January 26-28, 2026, in Mexico City. The meeting theme: Building Bridges: From Conflict to Cooperation Through Trade and Innovation will provide an excellent opportunity to address current international legal issues.
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Save the Date: ABA ILS The Americas Conference - Registration is Now Open! | |
| Don’t miss your opportunity to register for the ABA International Law Section’s “The Americas Conference” on January 26-28, 2026, in Mexico City. The meeting theme: Building Bridges: From Conflict to Cooperation Through Trade and Innovation will provide an excellent opportunity to address current international legal issues. | |
| 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
| 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
| | 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!
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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.
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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
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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!
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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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