International Law Prof Blog

American Society of International Law Annual Meeting

Online registration closes on April 1 for the 2018 Annual Meeting of the American Society of International Law. Rates increase significantly once the meeting starts on April 4, 2018. Click here for more information.

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Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Named as National Security Advisor

John R. Bolton, the former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, has been named as the National Security Advisor, replacing Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster. The move follows other firings in the Trump White House, including the replacement of U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson with the Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo.

When he was nominated for the U.N. position, Mr. Bolton had been considered so controversial and undiplomatic that the U.S. Senate refused to confirm him. He became the Ambassador to the United Nations only through a recess appointment by President George W. Bush. The recess appointment is a process that allows the President to appoint certain officials without Senate Confirmation when the Senate is in recess.

The position of National Security Advisor does not require Senate confirmation. 

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Judge Joan Donoghue of the International Court of Justice to Speak in Chicago

Judge Joan Donoghue of the International Court of Justice will deliver the 2018 Herzog Memorial Lecture on April 10, 2018 at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. The topic will be "Common Law and Civil Law Influences on International Adjudication." The program runs from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.

The lecture is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. You can register online at by clicking here.

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Program Highlights from the Upcoming ABA Section of International Law Annual Conference in New York

The American Bar Association Section of International Law will hold its 2018 Annual Conference from April 17-21 at the Grand Hyatt in New York. (Many section members will remember Spring and Fall seasonal meetings for the Section of International Law; those are now merged into a single annual section meeting).

Highlights of the Annual Conference include:

• A plenary panel with the Honorable Marc-Andre Blanchard, Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, Avril Haines, former White House Deputy National Security Advisor, Stephen Mathias, United Nations Deputy Legal Counsel, Patrick McCarthy, PwC Global Intelligence Operations Center, and Andrew Shapiro, Managing Director, Beacon Global Strategies;
• A Dialogue with Dr. Daniel Ellsberg during the Thursday luncheon; and 
• A Dialogue during the Friday luncheon with the Honorable Colleen McMahon, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and the Honorable Elizabeth Stong with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on the current status of international law in judicial decision-making.

Hope to see you there!

(mew)

ABA Section of International Law Annual Conference in New York

The American Bar Association Section of International Law will hold its Annual Conference in New York from April 17-21, 2018 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. This "Annual Conference" replaces the Section's Spring and Fall Meetings, so it's even more important to attend. Lawyers and other legal professionals from around the world will gather to consider and discuss "The Fusion of Private and Public International Law," the theme of this year's conference. Click here for more information about the ABA Section of International Law Annual Conference in New York.

About the ABA Section of International Law

The ABA Section of International Law develops policy in the international arena, promotes the rule of law, and enhances the education of international law practitioners. The Section focuses on a full range of international legal issues and is involved in a wide variety of substantive legal activities.

The Section's purposes are to:

• promote interest, activity, and research in international law and to further its development;
• increase knowledge among members of the legal profession and the general public;
• promote professional relationships with lawyers similarly engaged in foreign countries; and
• implement Goal IV of the Association – "To advance the rule of law in the world."

The Section has more than 60 regional and practice specific committees, task forces, and working groups within twelve divisions – Africa/Eurasia, Americas/Middle East, Business Law I, Business, Law II, Business Regulation, Constituent, Disputes, Finance, Legal Practice, Public International Law (Treaty) I, Public International Law (Treaty) II, and Tax, Estates & Individuals. Committees closely monitor and disseminate information on domestic and international policy developments with implications for law practice. Click here for more information about ABA Section of International Law.

Upcoming Section Regional Meetings

In addition to the Section's Annual Meeting in New York, the Section of International Law is also hosting

• Singapore, May 10-11, 2018. Investment Arbitration and Trans-Pacific Transactions Conference.
• May 21-22, 2018, Cape Town, South Africa. Challenging the Perception of Risk in Africa.
• Copenhagen, Denmark, June 10-12, 2018. Life Sciences Conference.

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Reminder: ABA Section of International Law Conference in Singapore

Here's a reminder that the American Bar Association Section of International Conference will hold a Conference on Investment Arbitration and Trans-Pacific Transactions in Singapore on May 10-11, 2018. Early-Bird registration rates are now available.

On the first day of the conference there will be panel discussions that explore recent rules and regulations to investment arbitration. The second day will feature workshops that continue discussions of investment arbitration and four panels that will explore emerging issues that challenge parties and their counsel in high-tech, Trans-Pacific transactions. Topics to be addressed include:

• Cybersecurity Due Diligence in M&A Transactions
• Intellectual Property and Cybersecurity Issues Arising from Internet-of-Things Devices in Connected Cars
• Regulation of Foreign Direct Investment
• Averting and Responding to Corporate Ethical Crises

Contact the ABA Section of International Law for more information about the conference.

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