The International Law Section Gazette | | |
Dear friends and colleagues:
I am happy to report that we had an insightful conversation with Judge Kevin Emas at last week’s Lunch and Learn moderated by our own past chair, Arnie Lacayo. Judge Emas spoke about the importance of mentorship and civility in our profession, his experience in trial court and transition to the Third DCA, and his plans for the future—among other things. Those who attended enjoyed some good food and an even better discussion. We have also had great interest in the Orlando Lunch and Learn and we are excited to see our Central Florida members this Wednesday, September 24th for our next installment.
I am also excited to let you know that we have had a tremendous amount of interest from Dominican lawyers who will be attending our cocktail during the Annual Retreat. There will be a mix of corporate, real estate, intellectual property, and litigation attorneys, and a couple of judges, too! If you are on the fence, I hope that (and the beach Olympics!) convinces you to take the leap and sign up for the Annual Retreat in Punta Cana.
I encourage you to scroll down the Gazette and find meaningful ways to connect with others and promote your practice. Opportunities abound!
Un abrazo,
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September 24 - Orlando Lunch and Learn featuring Phil Buhler
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October 3 - Deadline to Submit Statement of Interest for International Law Quarterly Call to Articles
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October 31 – Application Period Closes for Board Certification in International Litigation & Arbitration
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October 16 - 19 - ILS Retreat at the Hard Rock Hotel, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
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November 5 - ILS Webinar Working in the United States as a TN Professional: Visa Requirement for Canadian and Mexican Citizens featuring Larry Rifkin, Juan Carlos Freire, and Elaine Weiss
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November 20 - Orlando Luncheon at the Citrus Club
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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
| | On September 17, the ILS hosted a Lunch and Learn featuring Judge Kevin Emas of the Florida Third District Court of Appeal and moderated by Arnoldo "Arnie" Lacayo. Thank you to our sponsor Fiduciary Trust International and to everyone who joined. We're looking forward to seeing you all at the next event! | | Our First ILS Lunch & Learn in Orlando is Here! | | |
The ILS is bringing its Lunch and Learn series to Orlando for the first time! Join us on September 24, 2025, at 12PM for a riveting discussion with Philip Buhler, Board Certified in Admiralty & Maritime Law and International Law, moderated by J. Brock McCLane, Past Chair of the ILS.
📧 RSVP to Whitney Jobson at wjobson@floridabar.org to reserve your spot!
| | Our Next ILS Webinar is Here! | | |
Join us on November 5, 2025, 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: November 5, 2025 ILS Webinar
| | Save the Date: ILS Retreat at Punta Cana! | |
Call for Articles for International Law Quarterly Winter 2025 Edition | If you're interested in submitting an article for the Winter 2025 Edition of the International Law Quarterly, please submit a Statement of Interest to Co-Editor Jennifer Mosquera (jmosquera@sequrolaw.com) by October 3, 2025. | |
Call for 2026 Richard Dewitt Memorial Vis Pre-Moot Committee Members | |
The Richard Dewitt Memorial Vis Pre-Moot hosted by the Florida Bar International Law Section returns February 14, 2026, and planning is officially underway!
If you're interested in joining the Committee please reach out to Co-Chairs Jennifer Mosquera (jmosquera@sequrolaw.com) and Pedro Jedlicka (pjedlicka@jedca.law).
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Call for iLaw 2026 Steering Committee Members and Topic Proposals | |
The Florida Bar International Law Section’s flagship conference returns February 13, 2026, and planning is officially underway!
If you're interested in joining the Steering Committee or submitting a panel proposal, please reach out to Co-Chairs Davide Macelloni (dmacelloni@drclaw.com) and Adrian Nunez (nuneza@gtlaw.com).
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Save the Date: iLaw 2026! | |
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.
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Get Florida Bar Board Certified in International Litigation and Arbitration! Deadline to Submit Your Application is October 31, 2025! | |
Did you know that only about 30 Florida Bar members are Florida Bar Board Certified Specialists in International Litigation & Arbitration. If you are an international litigation or arbitration practitioner, you should consider the advantages of Board Certification by the Florida Bar. Board Certified International Litigation& Arbitration Lawyers can objectively state to their clients that the Florida Bar has certified that they are experts in International Litigation & Arbitration and that they have been rigorously vetted and tested for expertise! Board Certified lawyers earn the title “B.C.S.” meaning “Board Certified Specialist”.
Minimum standards for international law certification, include:
- Practice of law as a Bar member for at least five years, in either the United States or abroad, or four years with an LL.M. in international law or a related field;
- Substantial involvement in the specialty of international litigation and arbitration during the three years immediately preceding application;
- Substantial involvement in a minimum of 16 contested international litigation and arbitration matters during the eight years immediately preceding application;
- 50 hours of continuing legal education in the field of international litigation and arbitration in the five years immediately preceding application;
Peer review;
The application filing period runs September 1 - October 31 of a given year to determine eligibility to sit for the exam in March of the subsequent year. Applications must be postmarked by October 31. Eligible applicants who pass the exam will be officially certified in June. Certifications are valid for 5 years, the expiration upon which the expert must be re-certified.
Concerned about getting enough International Litigation and Arbitration Certification CLE credits to apply? No worry! The International Law Section provides ample opportunities to earn those credits through its CLE programs, including the annual iLaw ILS Forum on International Law, speaking opportunities and the ability to earn certification credit by writing articles for the ILS’ International Law Quarterly magazine.
The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization has found that the likelihood that a client will choose a Board Certified lawyers over one that is not Board Certified is between 25 and 40%! Don’t miss out on getting a step ahead of the competition! For more information, consult the Florida Bar website at International Litigation & Arbitration Certification – The Florida Bar or the International Law website at Board Certification – International Law Section.
| | The International Law Quarterly | | The ILQ Publishes its Spring 2025 Issue, Focus on International Law Under the Trump Administration, Available Now! | | |
The Spring 2025 Issue of the International Law Quarterly - "Focus on International Law Under the Trump Administration" is now available, featuring the latest submissions by ILS members, including articles focused on the Trump Administration's effects on immigration, economic security, tariffs, and more!
Click on the images above to download or please click here!
For all previous issues of the International Law Quarterly, please follow this link.
| | 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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