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The American Bar Association provides its members with a variety of
interesting opportunities to improve the law in the United States
and around the world. I have been
lucky to be a participant in a number of these initiatives. But, I found that one of the most
gratifying roles I have been able to play has been as a commission member
and contributor to ABA President William H. Neukom’s World Justice Project.
This presidential initiative to which Bill Neukom has devoted more
time, energy and commitment than most people could imagine is based on the
principle that the Rule of Law gives traction to efforts to address
society’s gravest ills, including violence, poverty, corruption, sickness
and ignorance.
The Project consists of three related initiatives -- (1)
multidisciplinary outreach conferences, (2) development of a rule of law
index, and (3) a research program involving the very best experts who will
examine the impact of the rule of law on countries. The Project
has brought together people from all walks of life and from all over the
world to talk about what the rule of law means for them in their work and
in their lives.
Later this year, from July 2-5 in Vienna, Austria
the World Justice Forum will bring together 500 governmental and non-governmental leaders from
diverse disciplines from throughout the world to officially launch the World
Justice Project as well as launch a new, multidisciplinary, multinational
movement on behalf of the rule of law.
All of us involved in the Project are reminded daily that the
practice of law has become more and more international in focus. Those of us who focus on criminal justice
may not always think in international terms. But, the plain truth is that
international issues that affect us arise with increasing frequency,
particularly as the debate continues on how to fight a war on terror. Within the Criminal Justice Section the International Committee focuses on many criminal
law-related issues that have an international scope such as war crimes,
crimes against humanity, international tribunals, extradition, rendition,
transnational crimes, and prison transfer treaties.
In May, a contingency of Section representatives will travel to
Bilbao, Spain to take part in “The Comparison of Jury Trials
and Mystery Art Theft” program.The Section is
collaborating with the ABA Section of Litigation, and the Union
Internationale des Avocats Litigation Commission and Art Law Commission to
present a two-part event that will compare and contrast the American Jury
Trial and Spanish Jury Trial systems through the eyes of seasoned judges
and lawyers, and examine some of the more fascinating thefts and stolen art
scenarios that have occurred along with a discussion on the international
perspective of recovering stolen art and prosecuting the thieves. All Section members are invited to
attend.
Other upcoming Section-sponsored events focusing on the field of
criminal law in an International context include The National Institute on Civil
False Claims Act and Qui Tam Enforcement, the Second Annual National Institute
on Cyberlaw, the upcoming conference
focusing on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the Money Laundering Conference.
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