The International Law Section Gazette
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Dear ILS Members,
Felix Maradiaga is a dear friend of the International Law Section and has even closer ties to some of our Section’s most prominent members. He has participated at a variety of ILS events and meetings, including a very important conference held three years ago at the University of Miami regarding Human Rights in Nicaragua, Venezuela and Cuba. Earlier this year, in opposition to Daniel Ortega and his anti-democratic and dictatorial regime, he declared his candidacy for President of Nicaragua, which was in itself enough to have him beaten and thrown in prison without any meaningful due process, where he has remained ever since, together with dozens of other members of the opposition, journalists and people who merely spoke their mind about Daniel Ortega and his wife. Berta Valle is Felix’s wife. She has been leading the fight for Felix’s release and the release of all political prisoners in Nicaragua in a very impressive way. I urge you to read the article regarding her efforts in the article linked here https://www.genevasummit.org/the-unlikely-face-of-nicaraguas-opposition/ and that we all explore ways to support Felix and all other political prisoners in Nicaragua both as a Section and as individuals. The status quo is wholly unacceptable and the conditions in Latin American and around the Globe are worsening at an accelerated pace. It is incumbent upon us to keep fighting for human rights and the Rule of Law. We need to keep fighting for Felix.
In this same regard and on a most timely basis, the Chair of our Section’s Human Rights Committee, Emercio Aponte, offers us the following poignant words,
“Today, December 10th, 2021, we are celebrating once again Human Rights Day. This day is celebrated every year on December 10th to honor the adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly. Precisely today, I would like to draw attention to the relation between human rights and democracy. According to the Inter-American Democratic Charter, “essentials elements of representative democracy, include, inter alia, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the holding of periodic and fair elections on secret balloting and universal suffrage as an expression of the sovereignty of the people.” In fact, Democracy and the effective exercise of human rights are so closely related that it is impossible to affirm the existence of a Democracy where human rights and fundamental freedoms are routinely and openly violated.
Unfortunately, if we contrast the characteristics of a representative democracy expressed in the Inter-American Democratic Charter with the reality regarding the exercise and respect of human rights in countries such a Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba, we must conclude that the governments of these countries are far away from the principles and ideals that define a representative democracy; it is important to avoid the error to consider that holding elections alone is enough to consider the existence of a democratic government because that would imply to limit and link the importance of democracy in detriment of human rights. Solely holding elections, while part of the equation to Democracy, is not and could not be enough to consider the existence of a democratic government that is why we cannot affirm that democracy exists in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba just because they hold periodic elections.
Today, as we celebrate Human Rights Day, it is important to have in mind that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is a sine qua non condition for the existence of democracy. I would like to end my reflection by quoting Mr. George Meany, ‘No democracy without human rights, no human rights without democracy.’”
In honor of Human Rights Day, the Gazette will be painted orange!
James M. Meyer
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Please join the Miami International Arbitration Society and the Silicon Valley Arbitration and Mediation Center for their roundtable "Secret Sauce for International Arbitration in Emerging Technology Hubs." Featuring Adolfo Jimenez, Silvia Marchili, Les Schiefelbein, Nir Keidar, Humberto N. Macias, Andrea Gonzalez Sicilia, Victorino J. Tejera, and Professor Manuel Gomez, the roundtable, hosted by White & Case, LLP, will allow the panelists to share their views about the ideal dispute resolution infrastructure that should exist in an emerging technology hub. The roundtable will be followed by a cocktail reception. Starting at 6:00 PM, the event is open to the public, but registration is required as space is limited due to health and safety regulations. To register, please follow this link.
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'TIS THE SEASON! Please join The Florida Bar International Law Section for its 2021 Holiday Party! The reception will be held at Mamey on 3rd at the THesis Hotel, 1350 S. Dixie Highway, Coral Gables, FL 33146, on Tuesday, December 14th, starting at 6:00 p.m. The ILS Executive Board looks forward to celebrating with you all. Last year’s party in this same venue was a lot of fun, and we expect no less this year. To RSVP, please email ILS Chair-Elect Jacqueline Villalba at jvillalba@harpermeyer.com.
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Please join JAMS and CONEXIG on December 15, 2021, for their seminar "Disruption, Delay and Dilemma: Resolving Cross Border Construction, Infrastructure and Energy Disputes in Latin America," which will be held in person at the JAMS Miami Resolution Center. The seminar, starting at 6:00 p.m., and co-sponsored by the ILS, will be moderated by Joe Tirado, international Arbitrator and Mediator for JAMS (New York and London), Kate De Brown Vejar, Global Co-Chair of International Arbitration, DLA Piper (Mexico City), Diana Garate, Regulatory and Compliance Manager, APM Terminals (Lima), Felipe Gutierrez, Founder and Managing Partner of CONEXIG(Houston), and Al Lindsay, Partners at Hogan Lovells (Miami). The panelists will explore the future of construction, infrastructure, and energy disputes in Latin America while reviewing the impact of regional developments such as the US-driven B3W initiative, increasing political instability and the looming effects of the COVID pandemic on the legal construction climate. To register for in-person attendance, please follow this link. For virtual attendance, please click here instead. 1.5 CLE credits available for New York and Florida.
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Save the Date - 2022 Richard DeWitt Memorial Vis Pre-Moot
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Save the Date for the 2022 Richard DeWitt Memorial Vis Pre-Moot! The ILS invites all members to join for the annual Richard DeWitt Memorial Vis Pre-Moot Competition, co-hosted with JAMS on Saturday, February 19, 2022. The event aims to give students an opportunity to practice and sharpen their skills by presenting and defending their legal arguments and receiving feedback from some of the best practitioners in the field. This year's event will be a hybrid format, hosting schools both in Miami, FL and virtually. To register a team, please contact ilspremoot@gmail.com. For any other questions or to volunteer as an arbitrator, please contact ilspremoot@gmail.com.
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The ILS Participation Challenge
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The ILS Executive Board invites all ILS Members to compete in the 1st Annual ILS Participation Challenge and win amazing prizes and, more importantly, bragging rights. Here is how it works:
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Download your ILS Participation Challenge “bingo” card using this LINK, or come pickup your “hard card” at our upcoming September 22, 2021 cocktail event with the Haitian Lawyers Association to benefit the Ayiti Community Trust (see the invitation in the Gazette below). You will note that you can also check-off a square by attending that same event.
- To win, you must be an ILS member. If you want to play but are not a member, then you have yet another compelling reason to join!
- Mark the tiles on the ILS Participation Challenge “bingo” card as you complete each activity or event marked on that tile.
- You may only mark one tile per event or activity and only during the period from June 30, 2021 until the June 2022 Executive Council Meeting.
- Bring your marked ILS Participation Challenge card to the June 2022 Executive Council meeting OR scan and submit your card to me by that date.
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Any ILS member to mark the most squares (regardless of their position on the card) will enter the competition in the form of a drawing to win the first place prize: free attendance for one (1) at the next ILS retreat (including hotel, meals and other VIP treatment).
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Any ILS member that covers the card with two diagonal lines, from corner to corner (in the form of an “X”) will enter the competition in the form of a drawing to win second place prize: one complimentary ticket for iLaw2023.
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Any ILS member that completes any 5 consecutive squares (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal) will enter the competition in the form of a drawing to win third place prize: dinner for two at il Gabbiano in Downtown Miami.
Ready, set, GET INVOLVED WITH THE ILS!
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International Law Deskbook 2020
The International Law Section is proud to announce that its International Law Deskbook 2020 is now ready for shipping! Get yours today!
To purchase the International Deskbook 2020, please click HERE to log into your account on the Florida Bar's website. Once logged in, please click HERE to search for the International Deskbook 2020 by entering the course number 4039. You will then find the International Deskbook 2020 under "Course Materials."
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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.
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ILS Past Chairs Robert Becerra and Peter Quinter Present for the Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association
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On December 8th, ILS Past-Chairs Peter Quinter and Robert Becerra, joined by Homeland Security Investigations Supervisory Special Agents James Weir, presented the Webinar "Trademark Violation Enforcement by CBP and HSI: Counterfeit or Gray Market Merchandise" for the Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association. Bob and Peter discussed how CBP targets, stops, examines, detains, and seizes hundreds of millions of dollars every year of merchandise that infringes the trademark of a trademark owner, and how many of these detentions and seizures of "gray market" merchandise affect shipments of products which are often perfectly legal to import or export. The panel also taught attendees about "gray market" goods, how to best interact with CBP whenever the Trade Enforcement Team detains a shipment, and how to effectively persuade the Fines, Penalties and Forfeitures Office to release seized gray market merchandise.
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Osorio Internacional, P.A.
Osorio Internacional, P.A., Brickell based, is looking for a Florida Bar Licensed attorney for fast-paced international litigation and arbitration practice. Our cases are complex and high stakes. 5 year minimum required, with strong leadership and cross-cultural skills. Foreign law degrees, foreign practice and additional languages a plus. Please send CV/resume and writing samples in languages spoken. Pay is competitive. For follow up, please contact Office Manager, Gabriela Saavedra, at gsaavedra@osorioint.com.
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MPA Law Firm
Senior Litigation Attorney
The MPA Law Firm is seeking to hire an experienced litigation attorney to work on complex, multimillion dollar commercial matters in state, federal and appellate courts. Candidates should have 5+ years of experience fluently handling all functions of a case from the initial client meeting through case resolution and large volumes of information. Must have excellent writing and analytical skills and be able to work independently as well as with others. Trial experience or experience as a public defender or prosecutor is a plus. This is a position with growth opportunity based on performance. The hours are flexible and the candidate can choose to work remotely or from MPA’s Brickell office. Competitive salary.
The MPA Law Firm focuses exclusively on complex commercial litigation in a variety of industries, including banking, financial services, securities, real estate and cross-border partnerships and investments. MPA’s clients are foreign and domestic businesses and sophisticated entrepreneurs in a wide range of federal, state and international litigation and arbitration matters involving business torts, complex contractual disputes, unfair trade practices, breaches of fiduciary duties, professional negligence, partnership dissolutions, civil RICO claims, international disputes, and appellate litigation. www.theMPAlawfirm.com
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The International Law Quarterly - Fall 2021
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The Fall 2021 Issue of the International Law Quarterly - Focus on Haiti is now available. Click on the image above to download! For all previous issues of the International Law Quarterly, please follow this link.
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The ILS Thanks its Sponsors
In light of what we accomplished this past year, we hope you will continue to support the Section as a sponsor. In 2019-2020, various firms, companies and suppliers sponsored the Section.
We look forward to another year of innovative programs where we can advance international law and further promote our sponsors. To learn more, read the Section's sponsorship package. You can also contact our Treasurer, Ana Maria Barton at abarton@reedmith.com, or Vice Treasurer, Cristina Vicens Beard at cvicens@sequorlaw.com for more details.
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The ILS Gazette
Editor: Davide Macelloni
Chair: James M. Meyer
Immediate Past Chair: Robert J. Becerra
Chair-Elect: Jacqueline Villalba
Secretary: Richard Montes De Oca
Treasurer: Ana Barton
Vice-Treasurer: Cristina Vicens Beard
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© 2021. All Rights Reserved.
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