These 2008 revisions have been the subject of considerable media attention in connection with recent federal enforcement actions, and a bill to amend those provisions has been introduced in the House. Meanwhile, the USDA is conducting a statutorily mandated review of the implementation and declaration requirements of the law.

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.

The panel took place on Thursday, January 5, at 8:30am-10:00am, at the offices of Beveridge & Diamond, 1350 I Street NW, Washington DC 20005.

This event was co-sponsored with the Washington Foreign Law Society, the Environmental Law Institute, ABA SEER International Environmental Law Committee, DC Bar Section on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources.

The Washington Foreign Law Society in conjunction with the Anti-Corruption Committee of The ABA Section of International Law and local D.C. law schools presented an expert panel on careers in international anti-corruption compliance and enforcement.  The audience heard from practitioners from the Justice Department, the Securities and Exchange Commission, international organizations, and private practice as they provide an update on international policy and enforcement trends of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and other anti-bribery laws and discussed careers for lawyers working in these areas.

The Washington Foreign Law Society held a panel discussion focused on the importance of maintaining a focus on human rights during this transition period, the role of civil society in the process, and the efforts of U.S. policy makers to support the transitions in Egypt and Tunisia.   Panelists included Jessica Lieberman, Acting Director in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor at the U.S. Department of State; Neil Hicks, International Policy Advisor at Human Rights First; and Kareem Elbayar, Legal Advisor at the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law.

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This event allowed attorneys with an interest in international law and international affairs to better understand the role of the military in rule of law and stability operations and to hear from one of the senior leaders in the U.S. Army JAG Corps about how that organization has been involved in this effort, how it has dealt with some of the unforeseen challenges, and what it has learned from project successes.

Brigadier General previously served as the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) for Multi-National Corps-Iraq, from January 2008 to April 2009 and has also served as Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Ms. Lamm detailed her efforts on behalf of the ABA to develop a system of civil responsibility for state-sponsored violence against women as a weapon of war and for a system of reparations to victims from these states.

The interactive event engaged the audience on this critical topic as Ms. Lamm discussed opportunities for lawyers to get involved in the initiative and to urge remedies and advocate for changes in domestic law and enforcement of laws already in place.

Mr. Neukom is the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the World Justice Project, a multinational, multidisciplinary initiative to strengthen the rule of law. Mr. Neukom has previously served as General Counsel of Microsoft Corporation, President of the American Bar Association, and Chairman of Preston Gates & Ellis, and is currently the Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Major League Baseball’s world champion San Francisco Giants.

The Harry LeRoy Jones Award is given annually by the Washington Foreign Law Society to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development and application of international law. Recent recipients include U.S. Supreme Court Justices Stephen Breyer and Sandra Day O’Connor, as well as leaders such as U.S. Senator Richard Lugar, former Secretary of State James Baker, and the late Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. The WFLS is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC, that promotes knowledge and understanding of international legal matters. Formed in 1952, its members include attorneys, U.S. government officials, foreign diplomats, academics, representatives from international organizations and others.

The World Justice Project’s mission is “to lead a global, multidisciplinary effort to strengthen the rule of law for the development of communities of opportunity and equity.”  Samuel Witten, the president of the Washington Foreign Law Society, said, “The World Justice Project is just five years old and is already having a significant impact.  Its international forums, for example, have spurred important transnational cooperation to improve the rule of law at the national, state and community levels.”

Debra Decker, a member of the WFLS Board of Governors and co-chair of the Gala, noted, “Our last honoree was Senator Richard Lugar.  Mr. Neukom, like Senator  Lugar, strives to make the world a better place through supporting international collaborations.  In today’s interconnected world, where other people’s problems inevitably become our own, we have to work together to help improve conditions not only in our own countries but in other countries also – and the World Justice’s Rule of Law Index helps to set a standard for good governance conditions.”

Sponsorships for this special event included Microsoft Corporation, Hewlett Packard, Arnold & Porter, Lock Lorde Bissell and Liddell, Bryan Cave, Chadbourne & Parke, Holland & Knight, and the George Washington University Law School.

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