ILS News – February 2025

Did you know California was the first state to add international commercial arbitration to its Code of Civil Procedure (See section 1297.12) in 1988?  Its potential remained untapped until Gary Benton and Jeff Daar teamed up in 2022 to provide a free, virtual, five-day California International Arbitration Week (CIAW) conference. CIAW offered over 27 hours of remote MCLE with programming from the leading arbitration institutions, dozens of monetary and non-monetary sponsors. US Senator Alex Padilla welcomed the participants and by all measures it was a huge success with over 800 people attending.

Suddenly, California was on that map and competing with Paris and New York. It makes sense as California is the fifth largest economy, has a variety of industries, sophisticated courts, and California updated its international commercial arbitration law to reflect the established global standard, the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (1985), with amendments as adopted in 2006 (See Assembly Bill 1903).

And behind the scenes, CalArb and the CLA ADR Committee with its Senior Section Manager Kristina Robledo continued to labor quietly behind the scenes with up to 35 – 50 volunteers to put on the annual event again in 2023 and 2024. Within three years their efforts transformed CIAW into a signature event.

On March 11 – 13, 2025, CIAW will be in-person at West Los Angeles offering up to 24 hours of MCLE, with includes 5.0 hours technology in the practice of law and 1.0-hour recognition and elimination of bias. Co-Chairs Jeff Daar and Laura Abrahamson have planned an engaging and insightful program that will build on CIAW’s success in 2024, featuring thought-provoking panel discussions, exciting evening events and valuable networking opportunities with users, institutions and practitioners from California and around the world. Once again, CIAW will be the premier opportunity to focus on the ever-larger opportunities for California international arbitration. Event details can be found here.

I hope to see you at CIAW.

Theresa Leets
Chair, International Law and Immigration Section
California Lawyers Association

The International and Immigration Law Section (ILS) is excited to share key initiatives, focused on immigration, designed to keep our members informed and engaged. I’m Radhika Balaji, Vice Chair of ILS, and I’m pleased to highlight some of the exciting immigration developments ahead.

We are thrilled to announce the relaunch of our Immigration News Updates, which have been live since November 2024. These updates provide timely insights into immigration law, policy changes, and key developments. We invite you to explore the latest editions on our [Immigration Update Archives – California Lawyers Association] and stay informed.

We have an exciting lineup of immigration webinars designed to keep you ahead of the curve:

• EB-5 Investment Visa Webinar (April 2025-stay tuned): Gain insights into the EB-5 Visa program, including immigration strategies, business considerations, and legal frameworks.
• Executive Orders & Policy Shifts – A Timely Analysis: With a new administration in place, we are closely monitoring critical policy changes. Join our exclusive webinar, for an in-depth discussion on key Executive Orders and their impact on immigration law.

As we embark on another impactful year, ILS remains dedicated to keeping our members at the forefront of immigration law through insightful discussions, timely updates, and valuable professional development opportunities.

Stay connected, explore our initiatives, and join us in making 2025 a year of growth, engagement, and progress!

Radhika Balaji
Vice Chair, International and Immigration Law Section
California Lawyers Association

IP Issues in International Technology Agreements

Presented live on January 16, 2025.

1 Participatory MCLE Credits

This program focuses on IP issues in joint development, collaboration, and consortia agreement from the U.S. and European perspective.  

We will discuss the comparative IP law underlying these agreements, potential IP ownership models, licensing considerations, and strategies for negotiating (and closing) these agreements.  After this webinar, attendees should have a good understanding of the comparative IP law underlying these agreements, IP ownership models, and approaches to negotiating (and closing) these agreements.  The key audience for this webinar would be as follows: IP law attorneys, international law attorneys, and business/commercial attorneys looking to learn more about IP issues in international technology agreements.

Speakers: John Pavolotsky and Florence Verhoestraete

AI and the Legal Profession: Czech, EU, and US Insights on Regulation and Ethics

Presented live on January 28, 2025.

1 Participatory MCLE Credits; 1 Technology in The Practice of Law

This webinar will explore EU and US regulation of artificial intelligence and how the regulations apply to the ethical practice of law. Speakers from the EU and US will share perspectives on the uses of AI by lawyers that comply with professional obligations.

Speakers:

• Alžběta Dvořáková Recová, CBA Representative in Brussels
• Adam Felix, Attorney, Felix and Associates
• Elaine Harwell, Partner, Procopio
• Myriah​ V. Jaworski
• Jiří Novák, Partner, Sokol, Novák, Trojan, Doleček a partneři, advokátní kancelář s.r.o.
• Leslie Stevens

Nomination Deadline: March 14, 2025

The Warren M. Christopher Award is presented annually by the International Law and Immigration Section of the California Lawyers Association (“ILS”) for distinguished service in the promotion of the rule of law internationally or for significant achievement in the practice of international law.

Nominees shall be licensed attorneys with significant ties to the State of California but need not be licensed by the State Bar of California (e.g. in-house counsel, law professors and judges).  Self-nominations are not accepted.  Nominees do not need to be a member of the ILS.  Nominations of current members and officers of the ILS Executive Committee and its Standing Committees may not be considered if nominated.  Nominations shall be kept confidential by the Award Committee and the ILS.  Campaigning for the selection of the awardee is discouraged and will not be considered. 

Nominations are to be directed to the ILS Award Committee, which shall evaluate the nominations and recommend three awardees to the ILS. Factors to be considered in evaluating nominations include, but are not limited to, promoting and achieving diversity.

Click here for a listing of past awardees

Webinar Navigating the Legislative Process: Practical and Political Considerations | February 12 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Register Today

Free event! Self-study credit available

Join CLA’s Chief Governmental Affairs Officer, the Chair of CLA’s Governmental Affairs Committee, and CLA’s lobbyists for an overview of California’s legislative process. Speakers will cover all steps, from an idea through enactment or veto, with a particular focus on services and guidance we can provide to CLA members at each step, highlighting practical and political considerations.

Speakers:

• Saul Bercovitch, California Lawyers Association
• Michele Brown, Procopio
• Mark Weideman, Weideman Group
• Faith Conley, Weideman Group
• Meegen Murray, Weideman Group

Date: March 10-13, 2025 
Location: West Los Angeles

Organized as a collaboration of the California Lawyers Association (CLA), CaliforniaArbitration (CalArb) and leading arbitration institutions and organizations from around the world, California International Arbitration Week (CIAW) is an annual week-long series of in-person and online programs celebrating internationalarbitration in California.

Join us for a week of insightful discussions, expert panels, and networking opportunities focused on the latest trends and best practices in international arbitration. Don’t miss out on this premier event!

October 15-18, 2025

Save the date for our trip to Milan and Lake Como, Italy! This October 15 through 18th you will enjoy fantastic Italian food and wine while networking with international attorneys!

Participate in a series of thought-provoking sessions and networking opportunities. Indulge in exquisite Italian cuisine and world-renowned wines. Explore Milan’s iconic museums, art galleries, and historic landmarks, including Lake Como. Earn MCLE credits while enjoying the best of Milan’s culture and cuisine.

Wednesday, April 9, 2025
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Capitol Event Center
1020 11th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Register

Join us at CLA’s Legislative Day for a unique opportunity to explore pressing issues facing the legal profession, proposed changes on the horizon, and how CLA members can make a difference. Interact directly with key decision-makers from all three branches of government, influence change, forge partnerships, and connect with other leaders.

 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Registration Opens, Continental Breakfast & Networking

Keynote Speaker: Tani Cantil-Sakauye, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California.

Space is limited!

The California Lawyers Foundation is hosting a first-of-its-kind mentorship and charity golf tournament at the iconic Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Coast, California, on April 17, 2025.

Register

What to Expect:

• A thrilling 18-hole shotgun scramble golf tournament
• Delicious lunch and on-course refreshments
• Fun contests: Hole-in-One, Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin, and Easy Birdie
• Celebrate at the 19th Hole After-Party and honor the 2025 CLF Classic Leaders & Legends Award recipient

In a stunning display of international support, firefighters from Mexico and Canada joined forces with U.S. firefighters in the battle to contain the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Approximately 72 firefighters from Mexico and at least 60 firefighters from Canada fought alongside their U.S. counterparts against the Eaton Fire in Altadena and the Palisades Fire.

The United States and Mexico belong to the Wildfire Protection Agreement, which went into effect in 1999 with the mission of assisting local firefighters battling wildfires. In 2015, the two countries amended this agreement to allow for assistance in areas not directly near the countries’ borders. 

Canada and the United States have a similar agreement via a 1982 Exchange of Notes. Like the Wildfire Protection Agreement, this arrangement allows for each country to send firefighting personnel and equipment when wildfires break out.

Australia, already battling its own wildfires, also offered the assistance of firefighters. However, U.S. officials turned them down because wildfires have been raging in Australia itself. Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. signed an agreement in 2002 which allows for mutually exchanging firefighting resources. In late 2019 and early 2020, the U.S. sent 200 firefighters to help Australia battle the fires in what has become known as the Black Summer.

These types of multi-country agreements for mutual resources highlight the immeasurable value of international cooperation: when one member country suffers, it can rely on its peer countries to come to its aid, knowing that it will one day return the favor.