2012 Events Archive

Quick Response Panel: A Recap and Analysis of the Supreme Court Oral Arguments Addressing the Alien Tort Statute in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum

Mar 01, 2012

On March 1, 2012, the Washington Foreign Law Society, in cooperation with other organizations, presented a morning discussion on the Supreme Court oral arguments addressing the Alien Tort Statute (“ATS”) in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum. In 2010, the Second Circuit ruled in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum that the Alien Tort Statute (“ATS”), which allows lawsuits in U.S. courts for violations of international law, does not create a legal basis for suits against corporations. The Court’s ruling could have major ramifications for the future of litigation against corporations in U.S. courts for human rights violations that take place outside the United States. Thanks to all who participated by phone or in-person with a panel of well-known experts discussing what lies ahead for the ATS.

China’s Restrictions on the Internet: Actionable Trade Barriers?

Feb 15, 2012

The Washington Foreign Law Society and the International Trade Committee of the International Law Section invite you to hear officials of the Executive and Legislative Branches and industry representatives discuss China’s restrictive Internet practices, the impact those practices have on U.S. firms, and the potential WTO implications

Stolen Asset Recovery

Feb 07, 2012

On Tuesday, February 7th, 2012, the Washington Foreign Law Society, in cooperation with the ABA Section of International Law International Anti-Money Laundering Committee; The World Bank; Transparency International- USA; and the ABA Section of International Law Anti-Corruption brought together a distinguished panel of practitioners to lead a substantive discussion on the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR); current efforts to track and trace misappropriated monies from former government officials; the DOJ’s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative that is now up and running tasked to identify, and recover, the proceeds of foreign official corruption through civil forfeiture; the strength and weaknesses of criminal and civil laws in pursuing the recovery of these assets in foreign jurisdictions; and cooperation and challenges in building these types of asset recovery cases.

Careers in International Anti-Money Laundering

Feb 06, 2012

On Monday, February 6, 2012, the Washington Foreign Law Society, in cooperation with the ABA Section of International Law International Anti-Money Laundering Committee and other organizations presented an evening panel representing a broad spectrum of practitioners who are focused on anti-money laundering careers. Panelists shared how they arrived at their present positions, what helped to get them there, the type of work they do and what they wish they’d known in law school related to AML careers

The Lacey Act and Imported “Plant Products”: Recent Enforcement Trends Generate Calls for Amendment

Jan 05, 2012

The Washington Foreign Law Society was pleased to co-sponsor a panel discussion on the implementation of the 2008 Lacey Act amendments and the various proposals to adjust them. Speakers included representatives from the Department of Justice Environmental Crimes Section, the Environmental Investigation Agency, and the International Wood Products Association