2010 Events Archive

Reception Honoring Australia

Nov 01, 2010

The Washington Foreign Law Society and the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Legal Adviser were pleased to honor Australia at this year’s annual reception at the State Department. The event was held in the stunning and historic diplomatic reception rooms at the U.S. Department of State. This year’s reception was an opportunity to meet the Ambassador of Australia to the United States, Kim Beazley, State Department Legal Adviser Harold Koh, and many others from the public and private sectors who share an interest in U.S.-Australian relations and Australia in general. Ambassador Beazley accepted the award and spoke eloquently about international law and U.S.-Australian relations. The Washington Foreign Law Society thanks all those who joined us in honoring Australia during this special evening with friends

Luncheon on the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

Oct 14, 2010

The WFLS hosted a discussion with two of the Administration’s top experts on the international resettlement of refugees into the United States. Every year the United States admits over 70,000 refugees from around the world for permanent resettlement in the United States. The program is one of the U.S. Government’s most important humanitarian programs and has helped well over 2 million people find safety in the United States in the last 30 years. Terry Rusch of the U.S. Department of State and Barbara Strack of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security were the Society’s featured speakers for a lunchtime discussion of this extraordinary program. The discussion included information on how refugees are selected for movement to the United States out of millions of displaced people worldwide, explored the legal standards that people seeking refugee status in the United States need to meet, provided an overview of the interviewing process, and discussed the impact that 9/11 had on the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

Luncheon on Climate Change featuring Susan Biniaz

Jun 25, 2010

The Washington Foreign Law Society held a luncheon in June featuring Susan Biniaz, Deputy Legal Adviser, U.S. Department of State, co-hosted by Arnold & Porter LLP. Ms. Biniaz addressed the topic of “Climate Change: An update on international negotiations, Copenhagen, and prospects for this year.” Susan Biniaz has been the State Department’s lead climate change lawyer for the last 20 years and is considered to be the Obama Administration’s top international lawyer handling these issues. She reviewed recent legal and policy developments in the international discussion of climate change in recent decades and leading up to the 2009 conference in Copenhagen; looked ahead to the meetings to be hosted by Mexico in Cancun at the end of 2010; and engaged in a spirited discussion with a large audience

Luncheon: International Crisis — International or National Solutions?

May 19, 2010

A WFLS luncheon discussion with H.E. Dr. Wendelin Ettmayer, Former Ambassador of Austria

You Be The Judge: Cross-Cultural Issues in the Courts

May 03, 2010

In recognition of Law Day 2010, WFLS co-sponsored this important and relevant event presented by the Law Library of Congress. The event was free and open to the public

Luncheon: Update on Iraq Reconstruction

Apr 05, 2010

WFLS held a fascinating discussion of the reconstruction efforts in Iraq and their legal implications with Mr. Stuart Bowen, Jr., Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction

WFLS Annual Meeting

Feb 04, 2010

WFLS members and those interested in joining the Society gathered for the 2010 WFLS Annual Meeting