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The International Law Section Gazette

Section News

ILS Chair's News & Notes

Dear friends and colleagues:

 


Thank you to everyone who joined us at last week’s events. We kicked things off with a terrific Lunch and Learn featuring Judge Jordan and Ed Davis, where Judge Jordan spoke with refreshing candor about what inspired his legal career, his years on the appellate bench, and offered thoughtful, practical tips for effective appellate advocacy. The following day, we enjoyed an excellent turnout at the Orlando Annual Luncheon. Both gatherings gave our ILS community the chance to connect, learn about each other’s practices, and strengthen the professional bonds that make our Section thrive. When we elevate each other, we elevate the Section as a whole.

Looking ahead, our next opportunity to come together will be at the ILS Holiday Party on December 11 at 6:30 p.m. at The River Oyster Bar. If you haven’t registered yet, please RSVP here.

This season also offers a meaningful opportunity to give back. We are supporting a toy drive benefiting immigrant children in detention centers, organized by Americans for Immigrant Justice. If you’re able, please consider contributing by purchasing a gift directly from their Amazon Wishlist, here.

I look forward to celebrating with you soon — and to making a difference together this holiday season.

PS: As a reminder, Miami Arbitration Week (and Art Basel) is quickly approaching! If you would like to attend MIAS’s LatAm Investor-State Arbitration Conference, ILS members can use the code “ILSMIAS” for a 15% discount on their ticket price. See details below.




 

Un abrazo, 

Cristina Vicens Beard

Florida Bar ILS Chair

cvb@bluestonelaw.com

ILS 2025-2026 Calendar

  • November 29 - December 5 - Miami Arbitration Week


  • December 11 - Holiday Party at The River Oyster Bar, 6:30pm


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


  • February 13, 2026 - iLaw 2026


  • February 14, 2026 - Richard DeWitt Memorial Vis Pre Moot

This Past Week

Yesterday’s Annual Orlando Luncheon was a success! Thank you to all who joined us at the Citrus Club for an afternoon of networking and collaboration. 🍊

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for our Lunch & Learn! A huge thank-you to Sequor Law for hosting, Judge Adalberto Jordan for sharing his insights, and Edward H. Davis, Jr., for leading such an engaging discussion.

Episode 10 of the Florida Bar International Law Section Lightning Round Series dropped on November 19 featuring Ed Davis of Sequor Law! If you haven't tuned in yet, you can still watch it here:


https://www.linkedin.com/posts/internationallawsection_floridabar-floridabarinternationallaw-legalservices-activity-7396916911868911616-nxwK?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADHbRUUB6W09oFiN1AnzmWtAMh02jBGlTbs

Announcements

Save the Date: ILS Holiday Party!

Join us at the River Oyster Bar on December 11, 2025, for the Florida Bar International Law Section's annual Holiday Party!

Save the Date: Miami Arbitration Week 2025!

The Miami International Arbitration Society is hosting its annual Miami Arbitration Week from November 29 to December 5, 2025. Be sure to sign up for outstanding events throughout the week, including Miami Arbitration Week's LatAm Investor-State Arbitration Conference on November 30, 2025. ILS Members can use promo code ILSMIAS for 15% off the ticket price on the LatAm Investor-State Arbitration Conference!

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.

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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