The International Law Section Gazette | | |
Dear colleagues and friends,
Another exceptional iLaw is officially in the books! This year, more than 250 practitioners from over 15 jurisdictions came together in Miami to exchange ideas, strengthen cross-border relationships, and engage in thoughtful conversations about where our profession is headed. Across three dynamic tracks—business transactions, litigation, and arbitration—attendees tackled emerging issues in global commerce, enforcement, compliance, dispute resolution, and the evolving role of technology in international practice. From the keynote to the closing plenary, the energy in the room was unmistakable: iLaw is not just a conference—it is a community.
Each year, iLaw grows in both scale and substance, and that success is a direct reflection of the extraordinary work behind the scenes. My sincere thanks to our outstanding Steering Committee, led by Co-Chairs Davide Macelloni and Adrian Nuñez, whose leadership, creativity, and tireless efforts made this year’s program seamless and impactful. We are equally grateful for the continued support of our generous sponsors and, of course, to the many friends and colleagues who show up year after year to make iLaw what it is.
Our Richard DeWitt Memorial Vis Pre-Moot was also a tremendous success. The Pre-Moot remains one of the Section’s most meaningful initiatives. It gives students the opportunity to sharpen their advocacy skills in preparation for the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna, while also helping Florida law schools offset the significant costs of international competition. A heartfelt thank you to our volunteer arbitrators for giving their time and expertise, and to JAMS and Arbitration Place for their continued partnership and support. Special thanks as well to the Steering Committee led by Co-Chairs Jennifer Mosquera and Pedro Jedlicka for organizing such a well-run and competitive event. Congratulations to the University of Miami School of Law on taking first place!
And finally—the wait is over. The Second Edition of the International Law Deskbook has arrived and is now available for purchase. With contributions from over 40 distinguished authors across 31 chapters, the Deskbook offers comprehensive coverage of international business transactions, trade, finance, tax, immigration, family law, litigation, arbitration, mediation, ethics, intellectual property, environmental law, e-commerce, human rights, and more. It serves as the official study guide for those pursuing Board Certification in International Law and International Litigation and Arbitration—but it is far more than that. It is an indispensable, practical resource for any practitioner whose work intersects with international issues, whether occasionally or daily. Purchase your copy on our website.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this such a remarkable season for the Section. We are building something special—and we are building it together.
Un abrazo,
Cristina Vicens Beard
Florida Bar ILS Chair
cvb@bluestonelaw.com
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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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The ILS hosted another successful iLaw this past Friday! Thank you to everyone who joined us for an incredible conference filled with powerful conversations, global connections, and unforgettable moments.
We’re grateful to our speakers, sponsors, and attendees for making iLaw 2026 such a success! We can’t wait to do it again next year.
| This past Saturday, the ILS hosted the annual Richard de Witt Vis Premoot! Thank you to all of the students and coaches who participated, and thank you to all of our speakers and sponsors for making this year's competition a tremendous success. Congratulations to the University of Miami for taking home first place this year! We can't wait for next year's competition! | The International Law Deskbook (Second Edition) is Here! | |
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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!
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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 | |
| 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 Winter 2026 International Quarterly is Here! | |
The Winter 2026 International Law Quarterly is here!
This issue focuses on developments in Alternative Dispute Resolution, including navigating arbitral institutions in Latin America, the growth of mediation in Caribbean bankruptcies, and the use of third-party funding in international arbitration.
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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