WASHINGTON, D.C., March 17, 2011 — The American Bar Association Section of International Law will host one of the world’s largest annual gatherings of international legal experts during its 2011 Spring Meeting, which will focus on cross-border international legal issues. The meeting will be held April 5-9 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, located at 400 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.

On April 6, general counsel of the U.S. Copyright Office, David Carson, will present the luncheon keynote address. He will speak about the challenges of copyright law in the digital age. Thomas Buergenthal, retired judge of the International Court of Justice, will speak during the April 7 luncheon. His remarks are expected to be titled “International Courts and the Transformation of International Law.”

More than 1,000 international law practitioners, scholars, corporate counsels, government and regulatory lawyers, and representatives of nongovernmental organizations from some 50 countries will be in attendance.

The agenda includes more than 80 programs on international business, energy and environment, and international rule of law and development. The following are among the sessions relating to international business.

“When Saying No is Not an Option – A Primer for Non-U.S. Companies about Managing Complex Litigation in the United States, and Strategies for Minimizing Costs and Exposure”
Many non-U.S. companies — among them, BP, Toyota and others — have been the focus of complex litigation in the United States.  These companies have discovered the complications and costs of complex civil litigation in this country.  This panel will help de-mystify the major flash points in U.S. litigation, during which strategic thinking, artful litigation and insurance coverage expertise can help minimize potential exposure for non-U.S. defendants.
April 5, 2 – 3:30 p.m.

 “Looking for a Needle in a Foreign Haystack: Due Diligence Review on Corporate Pitfalls in Other Jurisdictions”
During this interactive program, lawyers from different jurisdictions and continents will lead a discussion in comparing their corporate checklists, and discuss what they usually examine and why, during corporate due diligence reviews.  Speakers will also point out specific pitfalls in their jurisdictions in order to help audience members understand how issues change from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.   
April 5, 3:30 – 5 p.m.

“International Practice Boot Camp: Nuts and Bolts of International Commercial Transactions”
The presenters of this program will talk about the broader issues an international practitioner must address — and how — when structuring a cross-border commercial transaction. By touching on their own personal experiences, panelists will offer guidance on issues ranging from negotiating to drafting to “sealing the deal.”
April 5, 4 – 5 p.m.

“Selecting, Retaining and Working with Foreign Counsel:  Pitfalls and Successes”
Because the ultimate success of a transnational deal, international litigation or international arbitration may hinge on the selection and management of foreign counsel, the program will instruct and illustrate the topic by role-playing, with panelists playing foreign and U.S. lawyers. The U.S. general counsel and her U.S. colleague will strategize about their needs when conducting “interviews” of various foreign counsel candidates overseas. The panelists will then step out of their roles and have a roundtable discussion of the issues raised by the scenario.
April 6, 9 – 10:30 a.m.

“The Aftermath of the Financial Crisis: Part 1 –The Regulatory Response:  New Regulation of Hedge Funds and Private Equity Funds; Changes in the Regulation of Banks; and Extra-Territorial Reach of National Securities and Banking Laws”
The financial meltdown is still being felt around the world and has impacted the way business is being done by market participants — including hedge funds and private equity funds and banks. The crisis has prompted several regulatory responses around the world, including new proposals and regulations in the United States and European Union. Part one of this panel will examine regulatory changes and their effectiveness in preventing future financial crises.
April 6, 9 – 10:30 a.m.

“The Aftermath of the Financial Crisis: Part 2 – Recent Enforcement Cases and Litigation in the Aftermath of the Financial Crisis”
This panel is part two of the program and will discuss recent enforcement and litigation cases in the aftermath of the financial crisis.
April 6, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

“Opportunities and Challenges in Cross-border Defense Sector Collaboration”
In difficult global economic times, defense-sector firms are increasingly looking abroad to enhance revenues and solidify their standing.  This presents opportunities but also substantial risks.  American, Canadian and European panelists will talk about challenges particular to defense firms in their countries, and address their country’s varying legal regimes. The panelists will debate best approaches, and invite the audience to join the discussion and to ask questions.
April 6, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

“Corruption: Enforcement, Compliance and Futility; Fighting Corruption in the Second Decade of the 21st Century”
The United States, along with members of the European Union, China and Russia, are intensifying their enforcement efforts and now target entire industries for enforcement of anti-corruption. This panel, which will include experienced lawyers from private practice, government, academia and non-governmental organizations, will discuss current enforcement activities and the elements of a strong anti-corruption compliance program.
April 8, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

For more information about the 2011 Spring Meeting, visit http://www2.americanbar.org/calendar/section-of-international-law-2011-spring-meeting/Documents/PreMeetingBrochureMailer.MeetingAgenda.pdf.

For media credentialing, please contact Alexandra Buller at Alexandra.Buller@Americanbar.org. This event is free and open to members of the press.

ABA International was founded in 1933 and leads the development of international legal policy, the promotion of the rule of law, and the education of international law practitioners. It is the only ABA entity that focuses exclusively on international legal issues. ABA International has over 23,000 members in 90 countries, including 1500 in-house counsel. The section has more than 60 committees, task forces, and working groups devoted to substantive legal issues or focused on geographic areas all over the world, monitoring and disseminating information on international policy developments that effect international legal practice.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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