Special Message to Our Non-US Lawyer Members
Friends and Colleagues – We are extremely proud of your active roles - as members and as important leaders of our ABA International. Non-US members (you hail from over ninety different countries) bring us the international balance we strive for in our business and legal practice outreach across the globe. Most of our committees are led by a combination of US and non-US lawyers, and our policies, publications, projects and programming in the US and abroad increasingly reflect the transnational scope of our activities. Thanks to you, ABA International has a very special role at the interface of US and non-US law and practice – made relevant by the international perspective that you contribute on a regular basis. As an organization, we deal with legal issues that transcend US law and US thinking, but our treatment of them enhances their relevance to US and international practitioners alike.
Did you know that four of our twelve division chairs are not US-qualified lawyers? They are currently based in The Netherlands, Argentina, Nigeria and Canada. Moreover, more than forty of our committee chairs/co-chairs are non-US lawyers. A very large number of our Council members, our committee officers and other leaders are based outside the US; some are US lawyers; many are not. All of you make the difference in ABA International – our diversity is our strength.
Special Message to All Members
If you read the preceding paragraphs, you know. Even if you did not read them, you know how important our non-US members are to all that we do. All of us are very serious about continuing to expand our membership base (and our leadership) of non-US lawyers. Increasing our non-US lawyer base is “priority one” for us as a Section of the ABA. It is one of the key things that sets us apart from (but that makes us relevant to), the rest of the 400,000+ members of the ABA. Each one of you, each member, can contribute in a meaningful way to this unique and special quality of ABA International.
I challenge each of you to take the time to recruit new members, particularly non-US lawyers, into the Section and into the scores of committees in the Section. It’s a great way for you, yourself, to reach out to meet new friends and members. You will see how gratifying it will be. Get new colleagues to see the value of what we do and to join our ranks – its fun, it’s fulfilling, it’s important for our cross-cultural experience, and it enhances the quality of all our membership, geometrically.
Those of you who are active know first-hand how valuable your free committee memberships are. And, by reaching out to our colleagues around the world, we will continue to highlight ABA International’s very special role, leading the world’s international lawyers for over 130 years.
One of our Danish committee leaders sent me an email a couple of weeks ago. Here’s an excerpt:
“For me, participating in ABA International gives me a unique platform in terms of exchanging knowledge regarding international legal matters. As opposed to organizations like the IBA, I find the co-sponsored programs at the ABA seasonal meetings to be one of a kind, and as a specialized expert in labor law, I find it very important to be aware of other substantive legal areas where there may be overlaps. In the past we have developed many great programs together with the international tax law committee, privacy committee, anti-corruption committee, M&A committee, etc.
“Moreover, as Denmark is a country with a high presence of US controlled subsidiaries, it has been a great value for me to better understand the US way of thinking in terms of handling legal issues and doing business. This allows me to better understand the clients I am advising on a daily basis.
“Finally, ABA International is for me truly international, which is confirmed by among other things, the leadership in our committee, with vice-chairs and chairs coming from Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, France, US and Spain, We have our newsletter, The International Employment Lawyer with articles from around the world and we will soon launch our world map with employment law updates and links from around the globe. We publish books on employment law, covering more than 35 countries, including Denmark and Sweden “.
ABA International: your gateway to international practice
ABA International is the gateway to international practice for US lawyers with transborder practice issues and for lawyers outside the US. We help US lawyers transcend the legal, cultural and linguistic gaps in international practice, and we help non-US lawyers bridge the gap between their jurisdictions and the US, providing invaluable input and assistance multi-dimensionally. We are proud of the fact that ABA International has very close links with the major bars and lawyers’ associations outside the US. Our leaders are in constant contact with the leaders of the CCBE, the bar associations of India, Japan, China, Australia, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Nigeria, Austria, the German Federal Bar, the Law Society of England and Wales, the Bar Council, the Paris Bar, the Danish Bar, the Deutsche Anwaltverein, the bars of Brussels, of Israel, the UIA, AIJA, the IBA, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Korea, Hong Kong, Turkey, Lebanon, the Brazilian Bar, the Peruvian Bar, the Chilean Bar, and quite a few others – and we attend their annual and other important meetings on a regular basis – so the exchange among the world’s lawyers across the ABA International bridge is fluid and dynamic.
Retreat: Annual Meeting; Council Meeting
Although it is only an hour and a half north of Chicago, ”Lake Geneva,” Wisconsin will be as international as its name when we have our leadership Retreat there on July 29-30. All of you - leaders and aspiring leaders – all of you are welcome. It’s an exceptional opportunity to meet and socialize with your colleagues who are active in the Section, it’s a great learning experience, and it will be a lot of fun – yes, enjoying life is part of our Section’s amazingly rich international culture. Please join us, and meet new and old friends from around the world. And for those of you who will be in Chicago during the days immediately following – please make plans to come to our Council Meeting on Friday at 1 PM – it’s free and its inspiring membership and the world bar leaders who will be in attendance – on the Council and as guests – will provide you with insights and perspectives that will surprise you – they may even change your professional lives. Join us next month.
Aaron Schildhaus, Section Chair
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Policy Developments:
The Section submitted joint comments with the Section of Antitrust Law this past month to:
- Anti-Monopoly Enforcement Division of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce of China on its SAIC Draft Regulations on the Prohibition of Acts of Monopoly Agreements and of Abuse of Dominant Market Position. Cover Letter | Comments
- Competition Bureau of Canada regarding its Draft Enforcement Guidelines on the Revised Merger Review Process. Cover Letter | Comments
- Canadian Competition Bureau on its Draft Updated Enforcement Guidelines on the Abuse of Dominance Provisions. Cover Letter | Comments
The Section also submitted joint comments with the Sections of Antitrust Law, Business Law, and Criminal Justice this past month on:
- Revised Draft Information Bulletin on Sentencing and Leniency in Cartel Cases issued by the Competition Bureau of Canada. Cover Letter | Comments
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ABA INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR
For updates on programming and events, visit our Section calendar on-line at www.abanet.org/intlaw/calendar.
July 28-30, 2009
Leadership Retreat
The Abbey Resort
Lake Geneva/Fontana, Wisconsin (just a 1.5 hour drive from Chicago)
For the schedule click here and to register click here.
Click here for more details about the Leadership Retreat
July 31-August 3, 2009
ABA Annual Meeting
InterContinental Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Register for the Annual Meeting
For a more information including the full Section programming schedule with speaker listings and Sponsorship opportunities, click here.
September 21, 2009
Resolution of Russia-Related Business Disputes: The Next Wave
Marriott Moscow Grand
Moscow, Russia
Meeting flyer
For sponsorship opportunities, click here.
October 1, 2009
The Tenth Annual “2009 LIVE from the SEC”
12:00 p.m. EDT – 2:00 p.m. EDT
This program will be available by videoconference, teleconference and webcast globally.
Look for more details in upcoming E-Updates.
October 27-31, 2009
Fall Meeting
Eden Roc, A Renaissance Beach Resort & Spa
Miami Beach, Florida
Register for the 2009 Fall Meeting
Click here for a flyer listing highlights of the meeting.
If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for the 2009 Fall Meeting available to LAW FIRMS ONLY, click here.
For additional sponsorship information, please contact Jenny Abreu, Sr. Meeting Planner, at abreuj@staff.abanet.org or 202-662-1663.
ABA INTERNATIONAL CLE TELECONFERENCES
ABA International hosts CLE teleconferences every month. We need your suggestions and ideas for future events. For more information about the Section’s CLE teleconference program, please contact Committees Coordinator Tally White at whitet@staff.abanet.org or by phone at (202) 662-1672.
Mark your calendars for this upcoming program:
July 31, 2009
The Financial Meltdown and Its Aftermath: What's a Lawyer to Do?
3:45 PM – 5:15 PM EDT
OTHER PROGRAMS OF INTEREST
October 22-24, 2009
International Law Weekend
New York, NY
November 11-14, 2009
ABA International/AIJA
AIJA Fall Conference 2009
New York, New York
Click here for more information and to register,
Click here for a full list of Section Co-Sponsored Programs.
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CONGRATULATIONS
Tim Bugg, Section Liaison to the Law Council of Australia, has been appointed as Chair of the International Legal Services Advisory Council (ILSAC). ILSAC provides advice to the Government on advancing the Australian legal profession’s participation and performance internationally.
NEW LAWYERS LIFESTYLES TASK FORCE – BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION!
The ABA Section of International Law is proud to announce a new task force, the Lawyers Lifestyles Task Force. The task force is comprised of both new and experienced practicitioners, who focus on exploring the difficulty today's lawyers face in balancing a successful career and a fulfilling family and personal life. The Taskforce will explore these issues from an international standpoint examining the practice of law around the world. The Taskforce will be a global forum to raise awareness and facilitate an open discourse on lifestyle issues we face throughout our careers. You can become part of the solution in providing strategic advice to implement practical changes in the profession for the wellbeing of all of our members.
>>> Click Here to Join the Task Force Today! <<<
NEW STUDENT ASSOCIATE CATEGORY OF MEMBERSHIP
The Student Associate category of membership that the Section brought before the ABA House of Delegates along with the support of Business Law and 13 other Sections has now been implemented. The category is applicable to any person not eligible for Lawyer or Law Student membership in the ABA who is currently enrolled in a post-secondary education program. Individuals likely to seek this membership category include those enrolled in LLM programs, Non-ABA Accredited Law Schools, Paralegal programs, and Undergraduate programs. Members enrolled in this category will receive the same benefits as an Associate member. To join as a “Student Associate” call the Service Center at 1.800.285.2221, or go online to http://www.abanet.org/join/
PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT IN INTERNATIONAL LAW
Pathways Programs bring experienced international lawyers together with law students and young lawyers to share career paths and options. We encourage members to join Pathways panels at their local law schools. If you are interested in being a speaker at any upcoming programs, please contact Membership Director Angela Benson at bensona@staff.abanet.org or by phone at (202) 662-1664. Upcoming programs include:
- George Mason University School of Law – September 2009
- University of Maryland School of Law, College Park – September 2009
- University of Southern California School of Law – September 2009
- University of St. Thomas School of Law – October 2009
- International Law Weekend New York City – October 2009
PUBLICATIONS
ABA Guide to International Business Negotiations: Cross-Cultural Issues and Successful Approaches, Third Edition
This updated, expanded edition provides information on fundamental international negotiation strategies that every lawyer should know before going into the new, e-commerce based international negotiations, including: how to build trust in negotiations when using internet communications technologies; negotiating with governments; substantive laws and regulations which impact negotiations; current issues in negotiating business agreements online; online alternative dispute resolution; and more. Product Code 5210205. $169.95; $149.95 for Section of International Law Members.
The International Lawyer Vol. 43 No 1 Spring 2009 and Vol. 43 No 2 Summer 2009 Year-In-Review are now posted to the section website, to view the new issues please visit the International Lawyer website.
KEY UPCOMING DEADLINES
International Law News: September 14: Winter 2010 (Focus on Corporate Social Responsibility)
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