Major Events

WUCL Hosts International Law Weekend–West

Last spring, Willamette University College of Law hosted the fifth biennial International Law Weekend–West. The two-day conference, convened by the American Branch of the International Law Association, brought together legal practitioners, scholars and students to discuss cutting-edge issues in public and private international law and international transactions.

James A.R. Nafziger

Theodor Meron

“The conference was a huge success,” Skinner said. “Many of the panel discussions were on the cutting edge of international law. There were many nationally and even world-renowned speakers. I’ve heard from many people who expressed appreciation for a better understanding of international law and how it speaks to the rights of immigrants here in the United States.” In addition to the panels, the conference program included two outstanding keynote lectures. Professor Theodor Meron of New York University School of Law, former president of and current judge on the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, presented “International Criminal Justice: Does It Work?” as the Friday evening keynote speaker. Professor George A. Bermann of Columbia Law School, president of the International Academy of Comparative Law, presented “The American Law Institute Goes Global” at the Saturday luncheon.

George A. Bermann

Twelve panel discussions scheduled throughout the weekend addressed a broad range of topics, emphasizing human rights, the importance of law in international relations and the impact of globalization on the practice of law. Panel subjects included prosecuting international crimes in the United States; the detention and treatment of refugees in the United States; the international law of war; recent developments in NAFTA; the role of international law in immigration practice; the discretion to decline jurisdiction in international cases; shared fresh water and sustainable development in an era of water scarcity; international technology transfers; world peace through human rights, law of the sea and the United Nations; taming international capital markets; the Alien Tort Statute after the Supreme Court’s decision in Sosa; and transnational intellectual property law and enforcement. “This was the first International Law Weekend–West outside of Los Angeles or the Bay Area,” noted Professor James A.R. Nafziger, who organized and chaired the program. “We were pleased with both the large turnout for the conference and the attraction that Willamette and Salem seemed to have for top-flight speakers. Several of them reminded us that we are, indeed, a hub of learning in the field of international law.” The Willamette law faculty was well represented on the speaker panels. Professors Gwynne Skinner and Susan Smith served as  | Willamette Lawyer

both panelists and moderators, while Professor Mike Eisenberg and Dean Symeon C. Symeonides participated in discussion panels.

“This was an outstanding conference in all respects,” said Symeonides. “It brought to Willamette top scholars and practitioners, not only from the West Coast, but also from the rest of the country. This is one additional affirmation of our school’s position as one of the best places for international law study on the West Coast. Warm congratulations are due to Professor Nafziger for bringing together this august group of scholars.”

“Many of the panel discussions were on the cutting edge of international law. There were many nationally and even world-renowned speakers.” — Professor Gwynne Skinner International Law Weekend–West, which was free to participants, was co-sponsored by the American Society of International Law, the International Law Section of the Oregon State Bar, and the Willamette Journal of International Law and Dispute Resolution.