The International Law Section Gazette |
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Dear ILS Members,
The Florida Bar International Law Section means different things to different lawyers. For some of us, it is an ideal way to network and socialize with like-minded colleagues who are passionate about the field of international law. For others, it is a source of all important CLE programing on important and timely internationally oriented topics. However, for all of the foreign lawyers living and working in Florida without a license to practice Florida law, it is the institution that facilitates their very livelihood. For almost 30 years, for and on behalf of the Florida Bar, the International Law Section has been administering the Foreign Legal Consultancy Program in Florida. The program began on January 1, 1993, after the ILS authored and petitioned for the Supreme Court's adoption of Chapter 16 (Foreign Legal Consultancy Rule) of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, which authorizes an attorney who is licensed to practice law in one or more foreign countries to be certified by The Supreme Court of Florida, without examination, to render services in Florida as a legal consultant regarding the laws of the country in which the attorney is admitted to practice. For the past two years, the Chair of the Foreign Legal Consultant Committee, Jaqueline Villalba (also Chair-Elect of the Section) has been tirelessly working with our Section’s Florida Bar Administrator, Angela Froelich, on streamlining what has been often characterized as a cumbersome, difficult and time consuming application process, and converting the formerly paper intensive process to a simplified, electronic, online format. After years of hard work and an extra hard push by Jackie and Angie over the course of the past ten months to overcome a number of daunting obstacles right up to the last minute, I am beyond pleased to announce that an online portal the Foreign Legal Consultancy Program is now officially up and running - LIVE!
With help from Chase Early, Director of Professional Development at The Florida Bar, Jackie, Angie and the FLC Committee impressively built the online application quite literally from scratch. The new system will make it much easier for applicants to complete and file their applications. Phase Two of the FLC Committee’s streamlining project includes development of an online portal where FLC Committee Members will be able to log-in and review assigned applications, request information, and communicate with applicants. This Phase Two portal for FLC Committee Members is already in development and currently undergoing testing. The Florida Bar website has a specific page for the Foreign Legal Consultancy Program and that too, has been updated to reflect the new application procedures, as follows: https://thefloridabar-pqvvv.formstack.com/forms/foreign_legal_consultant_application. Additionally, the ILS has dedicated a page for the Foreign Legal Consultancy Program on our own new website where foreign attorneys can find information about the program, the Foreign Legal Consultancy Rule (Rule 16) (https://www.floridabar.org/rules/upl/upl005/) and click on the link to submit their applications, as follows: https://internationallawsection.org/foreign-legal-consultancy-rule/.
As Members of the International Law Section, we can all be proud knowing that we are providing an important service to the international legal community by initiating, preserving and improving upon the FLC Program. For that, we are very grateful to Jackie and Angie for their tenacious and persistent efforts over the past two years. However, while the FLC Committee has been successful at implementing these much needed reforms to and modernization of the Program, the hard work of reviewing and processing applications continues. For this, the Committee still needs our help. More specifically, the Committee currently is requesting the assistance of 10 International Law Section Members who are ready, willing and able to review applications and assist with completion of Phase Two of the streamlining project. This would be a great opportunity for any of our members who are looking to get more involved and make an important and positive impact on the international legal profession in Florida. If you would like to volunteer, please reach out to ILS Chair-Elect and FLC Committee Chair, Jacqueline Villalba, at jvillalba@harpermeyer.com.
James M. Meyer
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Fabio Giallanza Joins Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, P.L. |
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Fabio Giallanza has joined Weiss, Serota, Helfman, Cole + Bierman, P.L. in their Coral Gables office, where he will continue to represent businesses and investors in the acquisition and financing of property, along with business transactions and corporate matters. Fabio specializes in cross-border transactions involving clients based in the United States, Europe, and Latin America.
Prior to joining the Firm, Fabio practiced at a South Florida law firm where he assisted foreign investors and entities with structuring inbound U.S. investments. He also represented purchasers and sellers of commercial and residential property, including complex FIRPTA questions and assistance with title issues and corporate documentation for foreign clients.
A graduate of the University of Miami Tax LLM program, the Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, where he received his J.D., and Roma Tre University in Rome, Italy, Fabio earned certificates in European Private Law from Universität Salzburg and in Transnational Intellectual Property from the University of Washington. Prior to law school, Fabio graduated from the Francesco Morosini Naval Military School in Venice, Italy. He is fluent in Spanish and Italian.
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Peter Quinter Joins Gunster |
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Quinter has nearly 30 years of experience as a U.S. customs and international trade attorney, working on complex import, export, international trade, and international transportation Federal regulatory and litigation matters. His practice touches nearly all industry groups, with clients that range from importers and exporters to customs brokers and international freight forwarders. Quinter counsels his clients in all aspects of international supply chain matters, including regulatory compliance and enforcement by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC).
Quinter specializes in navigating unique legal issues involving detained or refused merchandise regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as licensing, investigation and penalties issued by other U.S. agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). For the full press release, please follow this link.
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Jennifer Diaz Speaks at the U.S.-Caribbean Business Conference |
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On April 13, 2022, Diaz Trade Law's President Jennifer Diaz participated as a featured speaker at the U.S.-Caribbean Business Conference hosted by The South Florida District Export Council in collaboration with Enterprise Florida and the U.S. Commercial Service. Jen's panel, "Export like a Pro! Part 2: Business Resources to Help you Succeed in Exporting," provided private sector expert presentations on keys to success in exporting to the Caribbean while covering topics such as correct documentation, payment methods, financial payments and taxation, trade framework, and regulations. For more information on Jennifer and Diaz Trade Law, please follow this link.
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Call for Members: Europe Committee |
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Given the increasing interest of our members, the Florida Bar International Law Section has established a Europe Committee.
The purpose of this committee is to cover legal and policy related developments in Europe. Beyond this general purpose, the committee will lead efforts to develop and maintain professional and cultural ties with legal and other professionals in Europe. Additionally, the committee will work to foster professional relationships between members of The Florida Bar and members of the various bar associations in Europe. Lastly, the committee is planning to organize events/webinars to improve understanding of the various legal, economic and cultural frameworks in various parts of Europe.
Please contact the Chair of the Europe committee Susanne Leone at sleone@leonezhgun.com to obtain more information and to join the committee.
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ILS Members! Your good friends on the Int’l Law Board Certification Committee want YOU to apply to become Board Certified in International Law. Here’s how you can earn credits! Apply today!
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Be a Mock Arbitrator at the ILS Richard DeWitt Memorial Vis Pre-Moot Competition (8.5 CLEs) Email Adrian Nunez for details (Nuneza@gtlaw.com)
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Make Plans to the Attend the iLaw 2022 Global Forum on International Law this April 1, 2022 (8.5 CLEs)
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Make Plans to Join Us at the ILS Retreat April 28-30 at Bimini (2-4 CLEs)
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Attend ILS Webinars! In person and on-demand at The Florida Bar (2-6 CLEs per course) Go to https://member.floridabar.org/TFB_CLECourseProdSearchResults?opPrms=International+Law&optType=4
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Prepare and Present an ILS Webinar. Want to learn more? Email Katherine Sanoja for your next big presentation (3-6 CLEs per course) (katherine.sanoja@gstllp.com)
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Publish an Article in the ILQ. Email Laura Reich, ILQ Editor, with your pitch (3-6 CLEs per article) (Laura@reichrodriguez.com)
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Did you write a Chapter for the ILS Desk Reference Book? Did you give a Webinar? Publish in the ILQ? Receive Credit. Email Clarissa Rodriguez for details (Clarissa@reichrodriguez.com)
WHO MAY APPLY?
Minimum standards for international law certification, provided in Rule 6-21.3, include:
· Practice of law 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 law — 50% or more — during each of the three years immediately preceding application;
· 60 hours of approved international law certification continuing legal education in the three years immediately preceding application;
· Peer review; and,
· A written examination.
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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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Don't forget to register for the Webinar: "Options for Ukrainian Nationals in the Present Crisis." Larry S. Rifkin and Juan C. Freire, of Rifkin & Fox-Isicoff P.A., will teach attorneys how to assist Ukrainian nationals in the United States, as well as those abroad who may want to come to the United States. Participants will also learn how to access the most current information in a situation where policy is fluid and changing rapidly. Enrollment is free; however, as a condition to participate, each attorney must commit to handling one case pro bono. The names of all registered will be distributed to organizations rendering assistance to Ukrainian nationals. The Webinar will be on June 7, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. and will last 50 minutes. To register, please click on the image above or follow this link.
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On July 20, 2022, Past Chair Larry Rifkin, together with Juan Carlos Freire and Elaine Weiss, will present the Webinar "Expanded Professional Employment Opportunities for O-1 Visa Holders and National Interest Waiver Applicants." Starting at 12:00 PM, the program will discuss substantial changes occurred to immigration policy in the interpretation and application of the regulations with regard to the qualifying criteria for O-1 visas and National Interest Waiver applicants with regard to professional workers, opening up increased opportunities to U.S. companies to employ foreign professional workers. To register for the program, please follow this link. The following CLE are offered: 1 CLE for International Litigation & Arbitration, Immigration & Nationality, and International Law Certifications.
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The International Law Quarterly - Winter 2022 |
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The Winter 2022 Issue of the International Law Quarterly - Focus on Legal Globalization 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 cvicens4@gmail.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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© 2022. All Rights Reserved. |
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