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The International Law Section Gazette

Section News

ILS Chair's News & Notes

ILS 2025-2026 Calendar

  • January 23, 2026 - White & Case International Arbitration Lecture: "Arbitrator Conflicts/Bias: What Rules Control and the Need for a Unified Standard?” featuring Dyala Jimenez


  • 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.


  • January 28, 2026 - Orlando Lunch & Learn featuring Michael A. Tessitore and moderated by J. Brock McClane


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


  • 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

Announcements

Save the Date: iLaw 2026 - Registration is Now Open!

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

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.

Save the Date: ABA ILS The Americas Conference - Registration is Now Open!

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.

Save the Date: 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

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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