Immigration Law Section: Introduction to Investor Visas
2025-04-25 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
**Webinar hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
Please join the Newer Lawyers Division of the Immigration Law Section in a discussion on how investor visas may be used to for foreign nationals hoping to immigrate to the United States. We’ll be joined by esteemed panelists Petula McShiras and Courtney Butler to talk through how what these visa categories are and strategies for using these visas to help your clients immigrate to the U.S.
Registration has closed.
Presented by the Immigration Law Section

Presenters

Petula N. McShiras, Senior Associate, Kolko & Casey
Petula McShiras is a Senior Immigration Attorney with Kolko & Casey, PC. Licensed since October 2011, Petula has dedicated her legal career to immigration law and advocating for immigrant rights. She brings a broad range of experiences to Kolko & Casey, PC, from working as an Attorney Advisor to the Denver Immigration Court, to non-profit immigration work and private law firm work. While specializing in family-based immigration and naturalization, she also has extensive experience in business immigration, religious worker visas, and special immigrant juvenile petitions, including obtaining the requisite state predicate order.
Petula earned her B.A. in Political Science and Peace Studies from the University of Notre Dame in 2005 and earned her law degree from the University of Denver, where she was the Sutton Editor of the Denver Journal of International Law and Policy, a Chancellor Scholar, and graduated with honors. Prior to joining private practice, Petula worked as an Attorney Advisor for EOIR and as the director for the Littleton Immigrant Resources Center.
Petula has successfully presented cases before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) the Department of State (DOS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and El Paso County District Court for state predicate orders on behalf of unaccompanied minors. Petula has presented both locally and nationally on naturalization, H-1B, cancellation of removal, the unauthorized practice of law, and the intersection of immigration law and other areas of law. She is a member of The Ben S. Wendelken Inn of Court.
She is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), serving both on the Colorado Executive Committee as well as an Elected Director for the National Board of Governors.
Petula is a former citizen of India and immigrated to the United States at a young age. She studied abroad in France and enjoys traveling. When not practicing law, Petula enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, and spending time in the mountains with her family.

Courtney Butler, Attorney, Araujo & Fisher, LLC
Courtney Butler, Esq., is an immigration attorney at Araujo & Fisher, LLC. Her immigration practice focuses on business immigration and federal litigation, with past experience in family and removal defense. She has clerked for the Colorado Court of Appeals and the Vermont Environmental Court, and she has practiced immigration law exclusively since 2014. Courtney is a Past Chair of the Executive Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Colorado Chapter. She is also a past chair and current member of the Spanish Speaking Lawyers Committee of the Colorado Bar Association. Courtney has represented clients before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Colorado Court of Appeals, and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. She is both a mentor and volunteer attorney for the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN). Courtney has lived in Argentina, Ecuador, and Venezuela, and she is fluent in Spanish. In her free time, Courtney enjoys international travel, long distance running, ultimate Frisbee, and exploring the neighborhood with her partner and seven-month-old son.

Registration
Registration has closed.
Registration Fees

Complimentary for FBA Members & Non-Members

Live Captioning: Closed captioning is available for all virtual webcasts.
Internet Requirements: Virtual programs require suitable internet strength to stream online panels. A minimum internet connection of 800 Kbps is recommended for an optimal attendee experience. Test your connection here.

Event Contact
Zachary New
zachary@immigrationissues.com

CLE
Please note CLE will not be offered for this event.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I access the virtual webinar?
A: Each webinar will have a unique link to watch the live broadcast. Registered attendees will receive login instructions via a calendar invitations 24 hours prior to the webinar.
Q: Will recordings of the sessions be available after the event?
A: Approved sessions will be available for registrants to view live and on-demand following the webinar.
Q: Who do I contact for more information?
A: Please contact Tami Tice Jacob (Tami@amarylaw.com) or sections@fedbar.org for any other questions.

Email Communication Policy
By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communication from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
Recording Disclaimer
By registering for an online FBA program, you agree to the recording of audio and visual content presented during the live event and consent to subsequent use of the recording by the FBA. You agree that the recording is the sole property of the FBA and that the recording may be used by the FBA in any manner in its sole and absolute discretion. This recording may include questions and poll responses provided by you during the live event. If you do not consent to the recording and the FBA’s use of the same, do not register for the event.

Northern District of California Chapter: Hot Topics in Crypto Currency and Cybercrime
2025-04-24 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Thelton E. Henderson Ceremonial Courtroom (U.S. District Court), 450 Golden Gate Avenue, 19th FL, San Francisco, CA, 94102
With
William Frentzen
Partner, Morrison & Foerster, former Chief of Corporate and Securities Fraud Unit USAO NDCA
Tigran Gambaryan
Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance, former IRS Criminal Investigator: Cyber Crimes
Alex Iftimie
Deputy General Counsel, OpenAI, former Partner & CoChair of Global Risk & Crisis Management, MoFo
Donovan McKendrick
DOJ Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and FBI Agent: Cyber Division/Cyber Crime
Moderated by Hon. Jacqueline Corley
Virtual viewing and MCLE (for California bar) are available to those outside the Bay Area. The link will be sent two days before and one hour before the program. It will not be available to those who have in-person tickets.
To register please click here.

Middle District of Pennsylvania Chapter: CLE - "Armed with Knowledge: Understanding New Developments in Second Amendment Law"
2025-04-24 16:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Widener Commonwealth Law School, 3800 Vartan Way, Harrisburg, PA, 17110, United States
The Middle District of Pennsylvania Chapter of the Federal Bar Association is proud to present the next installment of its acclaimed CLE series: a 1.5-hour hybrid program entitled “Armed with Knowledge: Understanding New Developments in Second Amendment Law” at Widener Commonwealth Law School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The program will be followed by a reception. The Chapter will also offer a virtual/simulcast option for those unable to attend the program in person.
The program is approved by the Pennsylvania CLE Board for 1.5 substantive CLE credits. The cost of the program is $40.
The program will feature as panelists five experts in Second Amendment law with an array of perspectives: Judge Karoline Mehalchick, District Judge, Middle District of Pennsylvania; Chief Magistrate Judge Daryl F. Bloom, Magistrate Judge, Middle District of Pennsylvania; Professor F. Lee Francis, Associate Professor of Law at Widener University Commonwealth Law School; Amanda Gaynor, Staff Attorney at the Federal Public Defender’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania; and Christian Haugsby, Assistant United States Attorney, Middle District of Pennsylvania. Moderated by Brad Paraszczak, Staff Attorney at the United States Court of Appeal for the Third Circuit, the panel will explore (1) the legal landscape in firearm regulation prior to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen; (2) Bruen, its developing progeny, and the theme of “dangerousness” in Second Amendment law today; (3) key cases challenging federal firearms statutes, including 18 U.S.C. Â§ 922 and others; (4) civil litigation under the Second Amendment, such as challenges to waiting periods and age limits; and (5) what to watch and expect moving forward.
You can register for the event here.

Webinar: When AI Discriminates: What Employees and Employers Should Know to Protect Their Rights
2025-04-24 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
This webinar will explore the issues that arise from using AI in employment situations and the potential discriminatory impacts on employees. Our presentation will provide: 1) a brief overview of federal anti-discrimination laws governing employment, with an emphasis on the Americans with Disabilities Act; 2) a dive into AI, how it is used in the employment context, and how its uses can result in discrimination against protected classes; 3) an explanation of federal and emerging state laws and how they can be used to protect an individual employee’s rights; 4) a review of current cases of interest; 5) and tips and best practices for employees and employers to consider when they encounter AI in the workplace.
Presented by the Civil Rights Law Section.
Register Today!

About the Presenters

William Goren, Consultant and Attorney, William D. Goren JD LLM LLC
William D. Goren, Esq., of William D. Goren, J.D., LL.M. LLC in Decatur, GA, has been dealing with the ADA as an Attorney since 1990. His law and consulting practice, https://www.understandingtheada.com/, as well as his blog, Understanding the ADA, (a member of the ABA Top 100 for five consecutive years, 2014-2018- there was no ABA 100 in 2019-2021), all focus on understanding the ADA so that the client understands what it means to comply with that law and related laws. In particular, he provides consulting, counseling, representation, and training services involving compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and related laws- such as the Air Carrier Access Act and the Fair Housing Act, among others. Mr. Goren also brings a deep, personal understanding of what it means to have a disability, equipping him with exceptional insight on how the ADA actually works. He is deaf with a congenital bilateral hearing loss of 65–90+ decibels, but functions entirely in the hearing world thanks to hearing aids, Bluetooth technology, and lip-reading. For reasons independent of his deafness, he also uses voice dictation technology to access his computer. He is also a frequent presenter, a trained mediator, a FINRA arbitrator (Chairperson eligible), and an arbitrator on the CPR employment panel. Finally, he is the author of Understanding the ADA, now in its 4th edition (ABA 2013), and numerous other articles on the rights of persons with disabilities. He is a member of various committees of the American Bar Association and is also a member of: the Federal Bar Association (FBA) Diversity and Inclusion committee; the FBA’s Civil Rights committee and its Governing Board; FBA’s Civil Rights Amicus committee; and the Chair of the FBA’s Working Group on Disability Best Practices, which formulated an accessibility manual for the FBA and its chapters. He is also a member of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Bar Association and its lead for its Amicus committee. He has an A.B. from Vassar College, a J.D. from University of San Diego School of Law, and was one of the first in the entire country to receive the LL.M. in health law, in his case from DePaul University College of Law. Interesting fact: He trained his miniature poodle to be a hearing dog while he practices virtually.
Anthony May, Partner, Brown Goldstein & Levy
Anthony May has represented clients in a variety of complex litigation matters including assisting employees with disabilities in obtaining accessible technology and accommodations in the workplace, representing individuals who have been wrongfully convicted, commercial litigation disputes, and fighting workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Prior to joining the firm, Anthony was the Francis D. Murnaghan, Jr. Appellate Advocacy Fellow at The Public Justice Center, where he represented indigent clients, authored amicus briefs, and argued in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and Maryland appellate courts on various anti-poverty and civil rights cases. He clerked on the Appellate Court of Maryland (formerly known as the Maryland Court of Special Appeals) for the Honorable Deborah Sweet Eyler (Ret.).
While attending law school, Anthony worked as a law clerk at Brown Goldstein & Levy, was the Executive Symposium Editor of the Journal of Race, Religion, Gender & Class, a semi-finalist in the ABA Labor & Employment Law Trial Competition, and a Legal Writing Fellow.

Registration
Register Here

Live Broadcast | FBA Member: $0
Live Broadcast | Nonmember: $95
On-Demand Broadcast | FBA Member: $50
On-Demand Broadcast | Nonmember: $95

CLE
Please note: CLE for this webinar has not been pre-approved.
MyLaw and the FBA will seek 1.0 General CLE credit hours in 60-minute states, and 1.2 General CLE credit hours in 50-minute states.
Posted credit hours are estimated and subject to respective state approval and rounding rules. CLE qualifications vary by state/jurisdiction.
For questions regarding this program, please contact MyLaw CLE by email: registration@mylawcle.com or phone: 877-406-8636.

Qui Tam Section: [VIRTUAL] FCA Compliance from an In-House Perspective
2025-04-23 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
Join us for a candid and thoughtful conversation among distinguished in-house counsel on topics ranging from False Claims Act issues, addressing whistleblower or internally discovered issues, managing government investigations, compliance best practices – and pretty much anything that keeps in-house counsel up at night.

Register Today!

Presented by the FBA Qui Tam Section

Presenters
Roderick L. Thomas, Wiley Rein LLP (Moderator)

Jaime Raich, GE Aerospace

Erin Shoudt, Amentum

Tyson Bareis, SNC

Registration
Register here!

FBA Members: $0
Non-Members: $0

CLE
Please note that CLE credit is not offered for this webinar.

Email Communication Policy
By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communications from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
Recording Disclaimer
By registering for an FBA webinar, you agree to the recording of audio and visual content presented during the live event and consent to subsequent use of the recording by the FBA. You agree that the recording is the sole property of the FBA and that the recording may be used by the FBA in any manner in its sole and absolute discretion. This recording may include questions and poll responses provided by you during the live event. If you do not consent to the recording and the FBA’s use of the same, do not register for the event.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact sections@fedbar.org.

Webinar: 5 Steps Current or Recently Separated Federal Government Lawyers Can Take Right Now to Prepare for a Job Search
2025-04-22 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | ME
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
Don’t get caught flat-footed in your job search! Whether you’re actively exploring opportunities or preparing to launch, this presentation will guide current or recently separated federal government lawyers through five actionable steps to transition smoothly. Learn how to define your unique value proposition, craft a private-sector-ready resume, optimize your LinkedIn® profile, and build a targeted professional network. We’ll also explore strategies for shifting to the private sector and enhancing your professional brand to move quickly and confidently toward your next career opportunity.
Register Now!
Presented by the Federal Bar Association’s Professional Development Committee, Federal Career Service Division, Younger Lawyers Division, Senior Lawyers Division, and the DC Bar Association.

Presenters
Shauna C. Bryce, CEO and Chief Coach, Bryce Legal
Shauna C. Bryce helps lawyers be successful, fulfilled, and happy. She is the CEO and Chief Coach at Bryce Legal, a boutique offering best-in-class career services for attorneys – now with 1100+ client testimonials. A graduate of Harvard Law School and Johns Hopkins with 25+ years in law and legal hiring, Shauna is a widely recognized coach and leader in executive and leadership development, professional development, career development, career transition, recruiting, hiring, professional branding, and outplacement. In addition to her coaching, Shauna’s been a Chief Legal Talent Officer and Chief Diversity Officer of a multinational law firm, and a practicing lawyer in both law firms and in-house.

Emily K. VanOosting, Associate Counsel, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Emily K. VanOosting graduated from Stetson University College Law in 2012 with a concentration in Trial Advocacy. After graduation Emily worked as an Assistant State Attorney for over ten years specializing in child abuse, traffic homicide, and gang crime prosecution before joining the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office as Associate Counsel where she practices in both State and Federal Court. In addition to her legal career, Emily is an adjunct professor at Stetson University College of Law teaching Trial Advocacy as well as coaching the University’s nationally ranked Client Counseling team. In her spare time, Emily enjoys volunteering in her community and spending time with her husband and their dog, Duke.

Registration
Register here!

FBA member $0
Non-member $95.00
OnDemand FBA member $50.00
OnDemand Non-member $95.00

For questions regarding this program, please contact MyLaw by email: registration@mylawcle.com or phone: 877-406-8636.

CLE
Please note that CLE credit is not offered for this webinar.

Immigration & Criminal Law Sections: Crimmigation Webinar
2025-04-17 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
**Webinar hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
What is Crimmigation? It’s when Criminal Law and Immigration Law collide. Register today to discover the immigration consequences of criminal charges and convictions. Hear from seasoned criminal defense attorney Ronald L. Greenblatt and veteran immigration and criminal law attorney Peter Thompson. Ron and Peter have worked over the years as a team on numerous high-stakes federal cases with immigration consequences – including pre-indictment white collar crimes. Let them share with you the real value of how teaming up with immigration counsel, rather than just obtaining a Padilla memo, can produce good outcomes for clients.
Registration has closed.
Presented by the Immigration Law Section and the Criminal Law Section

Presenters

Ronald L. Greenblatt, Partner
Ronald L. Greenblatt has successfully litigated more than 1,000 trials involving allegations ranging from serious criminal offenses to civil rights violations, family law disputes, consumer fraud claims, and employment issues.
Since the age of 20, Mr. Greenblatt has protected the rights of individuals and groups. In 1981, he became one of the youngest union shop stewards in U.S. history when he was elected shop steward for New Jersey Restaurant Local 54 (now Local 33). In this position, he fought grievances brought against his fellow union members and filed grievances on behalf of union members. Upon his graduation from law school in 1987, Mr. Greenblatt joined the Defender Association of Philadelphia. There, he handled the defense and trials of hundreds of accused people and was one of only two lawyers appointed to the prestigious Special Defense Unit. He became adept in media relations in connection with successfully trying some of the area’s highest profile cases.
In employment cases, Mr. Greenblatt investigates and litigates claims of discrimination and other employment-related claims. He has recovered millions of dollars for his clients in state and federal court actions.
Ron has been named a Super Lawyer in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, making him one of the few lawyers to be named a Super Lawyer in both states. He has also rated as a Best Lawyer in Pennsylvania in both criminal and employment law-individuals. He has an AV rating (the highest rating offered) by Martindale-Hubbell for his legal ability and ethical standards.
Mr. Greenblatt is often asked to lecture to judges, criminal defense lawyers, new prosecutors, and Rutgers and Temple law students on adult and juvenile criminal law subjects. He also serves on the advisory board of Ohlbaum on Evidence and on Criminal Law Practice and Procedure in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Greenblatt is the Treasurer for the Atlantic Center for Capital Representation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping attorneys and individuals facing the death penalty and other unjust sentences. Mr. Greenblatt is a founding Master of the Philadelphia Criminal Law Inn of Court, where he has served on the Executive Committee since the Inn was founded in 2011. Ron is a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, where he previously served as Vice-President of the Eastern Region and was on the Board of Directors.
Mr. Greenblatt graduated Rutgers University School of Law in 1987. He also received his B.A. from Rutgers University in 1984, where he majored in economics and minored in accounting.

Peter Thompson, Esq.
Peter Thompson, Esq. is an unwavering, determined, and reliable immigration and criminal law attorney known for his tireless efforts in handling critical legal issues. A trial attorney with over 25 years of trial and appellate experience, Peter actively represents individual clients in both the immigration and criminal courts. He is passionate about his work and clients and, through careful and rigorous preparation, confident in his representation. He is devoted to the success of his clients and their protection within our legal system.
In 1999, Peter joined the Defender Association of Philadelphia. A public defender, he represented children and adults in criminal court. Peter then joined the appellate unit, all the while actively working with clients in the criminal trial courts. In 2008, he was chosen for and accepted the Director of the Defender’s Immigration Project position. An industry leader, this unique collaboration between immigration specialists and criminal trial attorneys works tirelessly to advise non-citizen (immigrant) clients of the immigration consequences of criminal charges and convictions. In 2010, Peter and his team joined in an amicus brief for the (ultimately successful) Supreme Court case Padilla v. Kentucky. This important case granted to non-citizen (immigrant) defendants the right to accurate immigration consequences advice from their criminal defense attorneys. Since then, Peter, in addition to direct representation of private clients, is sought after by fellow criminal trial attorneys across the nation for advice and guidance regarding the immigration consequences their clients with criminal convictions face. He has co-authored legal guides, taught in both University and Law Schools, and regularly teaches both lawyers and judges regarding his legal specialties or immigration and criminal law. He is a recognized member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the EDPA, where he serves as a court appointed immigration expert. Most important for Peter is his crafting of the individualized, creative and comprehensive legal services he provides his clients with immigration and criminal matters.
In addition to his robust immigration and federal criminal defense practice, Peter actively defends parents and their children facing allegations of improper removal under the International Child Abduction cases (Hague Convention). Combining his unique and comprehensive skill set – a federal trial attorney well versed in both immigration and criminal law with international law experience – Peter supports parents and children who flee abusive relationships and seek protections in the United States. Peter is first and foremost a trial attorney – when others concede, Peter and his team fight to protect his clients in federal court. The U.S. judicial and court system provides a unique opportunity to shed light upon and challenge allegations of child and spousal abuse. Accessing the protections of the courts through creativity and tenacity is the hallmark of Peters practice in this specialized and demanding area of the immigration, criminal and international law.
Peter, a devoted lawyer for his clients, also serves an essential role in training other attorneys, judges, and aspiring lawyers in the areas of immigration and criminal defense law. He frequently lectures locally and nationally on immigration consequences, Criminal Defense, and Trial Advocacy. He is an Honors graduate of the Temple Law Trial Advocacy program, a respected law school clinician in immigration law, a published author, and a valued legal colleague in the Philadelphia area.
It is critical to collaborate with an attorney and legal team who have the knowledge and experience to provide accurate and lasting legal solutions to your immigration, criminal defense, and international law needs.

Registration
Registration has closed.
Registration Fees

Complimentary for FBA Members & Non-Members

Live Captioning: Closed captioning is available for all virtual webcasts.
Internet Requirements: Virtual programs require suitable internet strength to stream online panels. A minimum internet connection of 800 Kbps is recommended for an optimal attendee experience. Test your connection here.

Event Contact
Tami Tice Jacob
Tami@amarylaw.com

CLE
Please note CLE will not be offered for this event.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I access the virtual webinar?
A: Each webinar will have a unique link to watch the live broadcast. Registered attendees will receive login instructions via a calendar invitations 24 hours prior to the webinar.
Q: Will recordings of the sessions be available after the event?
A: Approved sessions will be available for registrants to view live and on-demand following the webinar.
Q: Who do I contact for more information?
A: Please contact Tami Tice Jacob (Tami@amarylaw.com) or sections@fedbar.org for any other questions.

Email Communication Policy
By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communication from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
Recording Disclaimer
By registering for an online FBA program, you agree to the recording of audio and visual content presented during the live event and consent to subsequent use of the recording by the FBA. You agree that the recording is the sole property of the FBA and that the recording may be used by the FBA in any manner in its sole and absolute discretion. This recording may include questions and poll responses provided by you during the live event. If you do not consent to the recording and the FBA’s use of the same, do not register for the event.

Maryland Chapter: Demystifying Federal Clerkships - A Conversation with Judges and Law Clerks
2025-04-16 16:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | University of Baltimore School of Law, 1420 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD, 21201, United States
Please join the Maryland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM at the University of Baltimore School of Law for a panel discussion with United States District Judge Paula Xinis, United States Magistrate Judge Ajmel A. Quereshi, United States Magistrate Judge Charles D. Austin, and former federal judicial law clerks on creating pathways to federal clerkships and an overview of the application process. A reception will follow the panel discussion.
WHEN: April 16, 2025 at 4:30pm – 6:30pm
WHERE: University of Baltimore School of Law
CONTACT: Alana Glover alana.glover15@gmail.com
Please register on our event page: https://www.fbamd.org/demystifying_federal_clerkships

Webinar: Lincoln, Napoleon and Hitler Walk Into A Bar: Does the 1907 Hague Convention on Land Warfare Require Signatory Countries To Open Courts To Claims For Restitution of Nazi-Looted Art?
2025-04-16 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | https://www.fedbar.org/event/hagueconventions/
The Hague Conventions, The Lieber Code and International Law
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
Do statutory bars to Holocaust victim families recovering looted artworks violate the international law of war? Our speaker explores this question. Article 47 of the 1899 and 1907 Hague Conventions on Land Warfare forbids pillage. Article 56 requires “legal proceedings” for seizures of artworks. Following World War II, using statutes of limitations and acquisitive prescription, many Hague Convention signatories closed their courts to Nazi-era claims to recover pillaged and seized artworks. Closing courts to “legal proceedings’ violates the Hague Convention, defeats its goal of taking the profit motive out of wars of aggression, and rewards concealment and laundering stolen property. In the United States, Congress passed the Holocaust Victims Redress Act of 1998 (the “HVRA“) to apply the 1907 Hague Convention to claims involving Nazi looted art. The Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016 (the “HEAR Act”) reopened U.S. courts and extended statutes of limitations by six years for past and future claims to artworks and cultural property lost as a result of Nazi persecution. Our speaker urges that the U.S. approach of re-opening the courts is required by the Hague Convention. Hague Convention compliance could be best achieved by a Directive from the European Parliament requiring re-opening courts to such claims.
Register Today!
Presented by the Federal Bar Association’s Veterans and Military Law Section and International Law Section.

About the Presenters

Raymond J. Dowd is a managing partner of the law firm Dunnington Bartholow & Miller LLP in New York City. He acts as problem-solver for businesses, not-for-profits and individuals confronting potential investigations, litigation, arbitration and mediation. He serves as lead counsel in high-stakes litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts in disputes often centered on foreign law issues. He has obtained multimillion-dollar intellectual property judgments, recovered Nazi-looted art, and scored landmark trusts and estates decisions from Surrogate’s Court to the New York Court of Appeals (including removing the butler from the Estate of Doris Duke and representing the Republic of Germany in recovering an ancient Assyrian tablet for Berlin’s Pergamon Museum).
Ray authored Copyright Litigation Handbook in 2006 and updates it annually with decisions focusing on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. He has testified as a New York law expert before London’s High Court. He teaches trial advocacy through use of statistics, data and charts and use of expert witnesses at his alma mater Fordham Law School. In 2019 he received the Roger J. Goebel International Alumni Award. Current scholarship focuses on the 1907 Hague Convention on Land Warfare and its impact on art restitution claims.
Ray’s past volunteer service includes National Arts Club, Board of Governors and Chair, Audit Committee, Federal Bar Association, General Counsel and Board of Directors, Southern District of New York President, Network of Bar Leaders President, American Foreign Law Association President. He is a Fellow of the New York Bar and the Federal Bar Foundations. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Fordham Law Alumni Association, the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center and the Fondation des États-Unis in Paris, France.
He is conversant in French and Italian.

Registration
Register Here

Live Broadcast | FBA Member: $0
Live Broadcast | Nonmember: $95
On-Demand Broadcast | FBA Member: $50
On-Demand Broadcast | Nonmember: $95

CLE
Please note: CLE for this webinar has not been pre-approved.
MyLaw and the FBA will seek 1.0 General CLE credit hours in 60-minute states, and 1.2 General CLE credit hours in 50-minute states.
Posted credit hours are estimated and subject to respective state approval and rounding rules. CLE qualifications vary by state/jurisdiction.
For questions regarding this program, please contact MyLaw CLE by email: registration@mylawcle.com or phone: 877-406-8636.

Maryland Chapter: 2025 FBA Maryland Chapter's Annual Luncheon
2025-04-11 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor, 300 Light Street, Baltimore, 21202, United States
Please register below for individual tickets to the 2025 FBA Maryland Chapter’s Annual Luncheon. Reception begins at 12:00 p.m. Luncheon will begin promptly at 12:45 p.m. The lunch options are:
Honey Thyme Glazed Breast of Chicken Summer Squash | Farro | Heirloom Carrots (V)
Roasted Salmon Pommery Mustard Sauce (GF) (V)| Everything Bagel Spiced Asparagus | Buttered Whipped Potatoes (GF)
Balsamic Cauliflower Steak & Roasted Root Vegetables | Almonds | Jasmine Rice
Kosher meal
All meals include salad and dessert.
For organizations wishing to reserve full tables, please register separately using this link: Table Reservations (Group RSVPs)
Should you have a special request or require an accommodation, please email msaudek@gej.law
WHEN
April 11, 2025 at 12:00pm – 2pm
WHERE
Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor
300 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
United States
Google map and directions
CONTACT
Mark Saudek · msaudek@gejlaw.com

Webinar: What Every Lawyer Should Know About ABLE Accounts: Supporting People with Disabilities, Families, and Caregivers
2025-04-09 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | ME
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
This CLE will provide an overview on how ABLE accounts can positively impact people with disabilities, their families, and their caregivers. It will also provide statutory background on ABLE accounts and will explain eligibility requirements, account management, contribution limits, qualified expenses, tax rules, and interactions with benefits programs (such as SSI and Medicaid). Finally, the CLE will provide practice pointers for the usage of ABLE accounts, including working in conjunction with special needs trusts.
Register Here!
Presented by the Federal Bar Association’s Federal Career Service Division. Co-sponsored by the FBA Civil Rights Law Section, Diversity & Inclusion Committee and District of Columbia Chapter.

About the Presenters

G. Alisa Ferguson, Esq.
Virginia’s ABLEnow Director, Commonwealth Savers Plan formerly Virginia529
Alisa Ferguson serves as the Director for Virginia’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program, ABLEnow, administered by Commonwealth Savers. In that role, she manages all aspects of the ABLEnow program, giving individuals with disabilities the opportunity to save without impacting necessary benefits. She previously served as Associate General Counsel providing legal support to Commonwealth Savers’ Board of Directors, CEO, General Counsel and the staff for all Commonwealth Savers education and ABLE savings programs. She joined Commonwealth Savers in 2011.
Prior to joining Commonwealth Savers, Alisa worked in private practice for 3 years as a trusts and estate attorney. She focused her practice in the areas of estate planning, special needs planning, and estate and trust administration.
Alisa graduated with honors from the University of Richmond School of Law. Alisa received her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from James Madison University. She is a member of the Virginia State Bar, Virginia Bar Association, the Metro Richmond Women’s Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Virginia Mountain Valley Lawyer’s Alliance. She serves as an Executive Board member of the ABLE Savings Plans Network (ASPN), Co-chair of the ASPN Strategic Planning Committee, and Co-chair of the ASPN Program Committee. Alisa is a member of the Women for Madison Executive Advisory Council for James Madison University and a past president of the Board of Directors for Medical Home Plus.
Alisa lives in Lexington, Virginia with her husband and four children.

Eric Ochmanek
Program Director, National Association of State Treasurers’ ABLE today
Eric Ochmanek leads ABLE today at the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) which advances financial empowerment for people with disabilities by increasing the awareness of ABLE accounts. ABLE today directly engages the disability community through national outreach, developing resources, and fostering partnerships for all ABLE programs.
Before joining NAST, Eric was a member of the Senior Staff in the Ohio Treasurer’s office, serving as Deputy Chief of Staff. In 2016, Eric worked to launch one of the first ABLE programs. He developed the in-state and national outreach for what would become one of the most utilized ABLE programs. He has traveled throughout the country to connect people with disabilities with ABLE accounts and built partnerships within the disability, financial, legal, and support service communities.
Previously, Eric worked for British Petroleum in the North America Gas division, the White House Office of Presidential Advance, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of the Secretary.
Eric is a graduate of Adrian College (Adrian, MI). He and his wife enjoy volunteering at their sons’ school and for their sports teams.

Charles J. “Chuck” Saia, Esq.
Co-Administrator, New Hampshire’s NH ABLE Plan; and the Executive Director, NH Governor’s Commission on Disability
Charles J. “Chuck” Saia is the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Governor’s Commission on Disability (GCD), a cross-disability Executive Branch agency within the Governor’s Office. He also serves as the appointed co-administrator of New Hampshire’s ABLE plan, along with the State of New Hampshire’s State Treasurer, a role held since the launch of New Hampshire’s ABLE plan in 2017. Chuck works closely with the Governor’s Office, State agencies, the public and other stakeholders to improve accessibility for individuals with a disability in all facets throughout the State.
Chuck is licensed to practice law in NH and in years’ past, he has represented clients in various segments of the judicial process.
Chuck received his B.A. from Boston College and J.D. from Suffolk University Law School.

Registration
Register Here!

Live Broadcast | FBA Member: $0
Live Broadcast | Nonmember: $95
On-Demand Broadcast | FBA Member: $50
On-Demand Broadcast | Nonmember: $95

CLE
Please note: CLE for this webinar has not been pre-approved.
MyLaw and the FBA will seek 1.0 General CLE credit hours in 60-minute states, and 1.2 General CLE credit hours in 50-minute states.
Posted credit hours are estimated and subject to respective state approval and rounding rules. CLE qualifications vary by state/jurisdiction.
For questions regarding this program, please contact MyLaw CLE by email: registration@mylawcle.com or phone: 877-406-8636.

Qui Tam Section: [VIRTUAL] Proving Conspiracy Under the FCA
2025-04-09 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | ME
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
Experienced FCA counsel will discuss the development, pleading, strategic issues, factual complexities, and relative legal ease of litigating a case where defendants are alleged to have conspired to violate the FCA. The discussion will center on their experience in litigating one of the most factually and procedurally complex FCA cases. The roundtable will cover the process from amassing the evidentiary background to plead and survive dismissal of conspiracy claims, the strategic decisions impacting discovery, and the types of evidence which will satisfy (for summary judgment purposes) the legal element of establishing an agreement among the conspirators to violate the FCA. The panel will also juxtapose a conspiracy claim to one based on causing the submission of false claims, and the relative ease of the former. Finally, the panelists will touch on issues related to resolution, including joint and several liability.

Register Today!
Presented by the FBA Qui Tam Section

Presenters
Pamela C. Brecht, Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP (Moderator)

Rebecca C. Martin, Jones Day

Steven M. Shepard, Susman Godfrey LLP

Kenneth Coffin, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Texas

Registration
Register here!

FBA Members: $0
Non-Members: $0

CLE
Please note that CLE credit is not offered for this webinar.

Email Communication Policy
By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communications from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
Recording Disclaimer
By registering for an FBA webinar, you agree to the recording of audio and visual content presented during the live event and consent to subsequent use of the recording by the FBA. You agree that the recording is the sole property of the FBA and that the recording may be used by the FBA in any manner in its sole and absolute discretion. This recording may include questions and poll responses provided by you during the live event. If you do not consent to the recording and the FBA’s use of the same, do not register for the event.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact sections@fedbar.org.

Maryland Chapter: Resolving Discovery Disputes in Maryland’s Federal and State Courts
2025-04-03 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | ME
Resolving Discovery Disputes in Maryland’s Federal and State Courts
A free webinar co-sponsored by the MWELA Bench Bar Committee, the Bar Association of Montgomery County and the FBA-Maryland Chapter.
Please join us on April 3, 2025, for a panel on how to avoid and resolve discovery disputes in federal and state courts in Maryland. Two experienced judges in Maryland, one on the federal bench and the other on the state bench, will compare and contrast the procedures, substance, and practices between their courts. In addition, you will hear from two practitioners on best practices in addressing and resolving common discovery disputes in federal and state court.
Speakers/Opening Remarks:
Maria Salacuse, President, Federal Bar Association, Maryland Chapter
Pilar Nichols, President, Montgomery County Bar Association
Panelists:
Hon. Gina L. Simms, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
Hon. Rachel T. McGuckian, Associate Judge, Montgomery County Circuit Court
Nat P. Calamis, Carr Maloney
James Hannaway, Sanford Heisler
Moderator:
R. Scott Oswald, Managing Principal, The Employment Law Group, P.C.
This webinar will be conducted over Zoom and does not offer CLE credit. Registrants will receive Zoom login details on the day before the event.
Please Note:
– Advanced registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
– CLE is not offered for this program. Recording is not permitted.
To register, please click here.

Sacramento Chapter: Meet Newer California District Judges
2025-04-02 16:15 - 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | ZOOM
Conversation with four of California’s newest district judges.
Jinsook Ohta, Southern District of California
Araceli Martìnez-Olguìn, Northern District of California
Dena Coggins, Eastern District of California
Anne Hwang, Central District of California
To register, please click here.

Webinar: Qualified Immunity in 2024-2025
2025-04-02 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | ME
The doctrine of qualified immunity protects government officials from individual liability unless their act violated “clearly established” law. Though there are calls for its reform or complete abolition, it continues to be regularly applied throughout the country.
This presentation will provide an update on the current status of qualified immunity, primarily by examining published cases from the United States Court of Appeals addressing the issue from January 2024 through February 2025. It will include (1) A brief background of the qualified immunity doctrine and a description of the current state of the law from the Supreme Court, (2) A statistical review of published cases involving qualified immunity in the Courts of Appeals, (3) Highlights of Court of Appeals qualified immunity cases of interest, and (4) A look ahead to qualified immunity issues in the rest of 2025.
Presented by the Civil Rights Law Section.
Register Today!

About the Presenters

Moderator: Kyle Kaiser, Senior Trial Counsel, Litigation Division, Utah Attorney General’s Office
Kyle Kaiser is an Assistant Attorney General and Senior Trial Counsel in the Litigation Division of the Utah Attorney General’s Office. He has been with the office since July 2011. Kyle’s practice focuses on defending claims of constitutional or civil rights violations brought against the State of Utah, its agents, agencies, and subdivisions, and Utah colleges and school districts. Kyle is also appointed as a judge pro tempore for the Salt Lake City Justice Court, presiding over civil small claims matters. Before working for the Utah AG’s Office, Kyle was employed as Staff Attorney for Justice Dale Wainwright of the Supreme Court of Texas, where he not only assisted Justice Wainwright in researching and preparing opinions and analyzing petitions for review, but was in charge of the Court’s annual hot pepper eating competition. Before that, Kyle was a litigation and intellectual property associate with the law firm of Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A. in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and served as a law clerk for Richard Dorr, United States District Judge for the Western District of Missouri, in Springfield. Kyle received his J.D., with high distinction, from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2003, where he was Senior Managing Editor of the Iowa Law Review, was awarded the Hancher-Finkbine Medallion, and was inducted into Order of the Coif. Kyle received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Drake University, summa cum laude, in 2000. Away from work, Kyle enjoys spending time with his wife Pearl, their daughter Cora, and their cat Milo; camping around Utah in a 1983 Chevy RV; competing in pub trivia events (mostly virtually this year); playing percussion with the local community band and piano in the privacy of his own home; and judging mock trial competitions.
Nicole Johnston, Attorney Fellow, Litigation Division, Utah Attorney General’s Office.
Nicole Johnston is an Attorney Fellow with the Utah Attorney General’s Office, Litigation Division. She received her J.D. and Public Interest Certificate from the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law in 2023. While in law school, Nicole externed for Judge Daphne Oberg at the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah and served as Articles Editor of the Utah Law Review. Nicole currently serves on the Young Lawyer Division Board for the Utah State Bar and volunteers with the Utah Law Related Education Program.

Registration
Register Here

Live Broadcast | FBA Member: $0
Live Broadcast | Nonmember: $95
On-Demand Broadcast | FBA Member: $50
On-Demand Broadcast | Nonmember: $95

CLE
Please note: CLE for this webinar has not been pre-approved.
MyLaw and the FBA will seek 1.0 General CLE credit hours in 60-minute states, and 1.2 General CLE credit hours in 50-minute states.
Posted credit hours are estimated and subject to respective state approval and rounding rules. CLE qualifications vary by state/jurisdiction.
For questions regarding this program, please contact MyLaw CLE by email: registration@mylawcle.com or phone: 877-406-8636.

District of Columbia Chapter: FCPA Enforcement: The Path Forward
2025-04-01 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | ME
The President’s recent Executive Order requiring a pause in FCPA enforcement and
Department of Justice consideration of new enforcement guidelines are raising many
questions about the future of the FCPA.
Join the D.C. Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and the American Bar Association’s White Collar & Criminal Litigation Committee as they present an all-star panel of anticorruption practitioners from across the globe–Joe Whitley of Womble Bond Dickinson, Ellen Pellegrini of Sidley Austin, Chuck Duross of Morrison Foerster, and Flavia Leardini of Mattos Filho–as they discuss what FCPA enforcement and compliance might look like in 2025 and beyond.

Orange County Chapter: Supreme Court Review
2025-04-01 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, 3350 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626, United States
Dr. Thomas Campbell, Distinguished Professor of Jurisprudence at Chapman University Fowler School of Law, will discuss the major decisions of the 2024-2025 term as well as significant matters on the Supreme Court’s docket.
CLE Credit
The above activity has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education by the State Bar of California in the amount of .75 hour. The FBA/OC certifies that this activity conforms to the standards for the approved education activities prescribed by the rules and regulations of the State Bar of California governing MCLE.
Register Now
Please register and prepay below by March 24. Or, email info@FBAOC.com then submit by the deadline your check payment to: FBA/OC, P.O. Box 6130, Newport Beach 92658
Upon registration you will receive an automatic receipt and later, as the event nears, we’ll provide a detailed confirmation notice. If you don’t see these messages, please check your junk mail folder. We ask you to consider whitelisting info@FBAOC.com to avoid missing any notices.
Reservations are requested by March 24. No refunds for cancellations after this date.
Questions
Contact FBA/OC at info@FBAOC.com or (949) 608-9905.

Los Angeles Chapter: The Nuts and Bolts of Using (and Excluding) Expert Witnesses
2025-03-27 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | JAMS Los Angeles Resolution Center, 555 West 5th Street, Suite 3200, Los Angeles, CA, 90013, United States
Expert witnesses can make – or break – a case. This panel will discuss recent changes in federal procedural and evidentiary rules relating to these critical witnesses; how practitioners can advance their clients’ claims though expert testimony; and how to ensure that courts exercise their gatekeeping role to allow or exclude expert testimony. Drinks and appetizers will be provided starting at 5:30, prior to the discussion at 6:00 p.m.
Time: Thursday, March 27, 2025 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Registration opens: 5:30 pm
Location: JAMS (With Remote Viewing Option)
555 West 5th Street, Suite 3200
Los Angeles, CA 90013
The event will be hosted by JAMS at its offices in downtown L.A. The entrance to the parking garage is on the west side of Olive Street between 4th and 5th. Parking will be validated.
Please register here.
For more information, you can access the event website here.
MCLE: 1.00 Hr. General MCLE; This activity has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education Credit by the State Bar of California. The FBA certifies that this activity conforms to the standards of approved education activities prescribed by the rules and regulations of the State Bar of California governing minimum continuing legal education.

Southern District of Illinois Chapter: 2025 Women in the Law Symposium
2025-03-27 08:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | St. Clair Country Club, 100 S. 78th Street, Belleville, IL, 62223, United States
Don’t Miss This!
Join us for a morning of networking and inspiring stories as we celebrate and advance the exceptional women in our legal community.
About this event
Women who work in the legal profession often face unique challenges and obstacles. The Southern District of Illinois chapter of the Federal Bar Association is dedicated to facilitating necessary conversations to expose the imbalance placed on women in the legal profession and to tell the story of women who have overcome significant hurdles to serve as leaders in the law throughout the federal bar. Join us for a morning of networking and inspiring stories as we celebrate and advance the brilliant women in our legal community.
Our featured guest speaker will be television anchor, legal analyst, trial attorney, actor, and best-selling author, Rikki Klieman. Rikki has earned a sterling reputation as one of the nation’s most celebrated lawyers and legal authorities. A dynamic and versatile communicator, she has found success in multiple fields, including television journalism, the courtroom, academia, and public speaking. Hear her share some of what she’s learned over the course of her storybook career, from theater major at Northwestern University to being named by TIME magazine one of the five most outstanding women trial lawyers in the country.
The day will also include a talk from St. Louis’s very own Michelle Li. As a KSDK Today in St. Louis television anchor, Michelle has a powerful story to tell about facing down racism in her job and turning the experience into a positive force for good. Now the co-founder and president of the Very Asian Foundation, Michelle works to shine a light on Asian experiences through advocacy and celebration in communities across the country.
Finally, we are excited to offer an ethics presentation by Paige Tungate, an attorney at Downey Law Group. Hailing from Southern Illinois, Paige competed on the tennis team at Webster University before receiving her law degree at the University of Missouri. Her practice focuses on legal ethics and the law of lawyering. Fitting with the theme of this year’s symposium, Paige will walk through some of the ethical rules and common pitfalls for attorneys trying to navigate the ever-evolving media landscape.
And if all of that wasn’t enough, there will be mimosas!
March 7, 2025
8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Tickets: $150 – $2,000

2025 Leadership Summit
2025-03-27 - 2025-03-29 | The Ritz Carlton, Pentagon City, 1250 S Hayes St, Arlington, VA, 22202, United States
Save the Date
Join the Federal Bar Association for a gathering of association leadership and its members. Attendees will have the opportunity to expand national networks while strengthening personal, professional, and organization relationships. This year’s programming includes educational sessions, leadership training, Capitol Hill advocacy opportunities, and midyear business meetings and is designed to ensure a successful engagement and leadership path with the FBA.
Registration will open in January 2025.

Agenda At A Glance
March 26-27 – Moot Court
March 27 – Capitol Hill Day
March 28-29 – Leadership Summit Training and Roundtable Meetings

Registration
Registration will open in January 2025.
Registration Rates

$150: Leadership Summit Ticket (FBA Member)
$85: Guest Ticket for Friday Lunch
No Charge: Capitol Hill Day

By registering for this event, you agree to the posted event terms and conditions.
Accommodations: Please contact meetings@fedbar.org for onsite dietary or accessibility requests in advance of the program dates if you do not disclose within the online registration form.
Cancellation Policy: Full registration refunds will be processed for cancellations received by Friday, March 8. After the posted cancellation date, registrations may be transferred to another attendee but not refunded. No-shows will be billed. Please email meetings@fedbar.org with questions and written cancellation/substitution requests.

Hotel + Travel Information
The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City
1250 S Hayes St, Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 415-5000 or 1-800-241-3333
FBA leaders may reference Policy No. 2-3 for travel reimbursement guidelines.

Email Communication Policy: By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communication from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact meetings@fedbar.org.

Capitol Hill Day
2025-03-27 | ME
Capitol Hill Day (CHD) is the premier FBA advocacy event of the year. FBA members have the exclusive opportunity to serve as representatives for the FBA in communication with Congress. Equal parts inspiration and information, CHD is your chance to broaden the FBA’s visibility and influence in Congress.
FBA leaders from across the country will meet with House and Senate offices to discuss important FBA legislative issues that impact the administration of justice and the federal courts. During these meetings, CHD participants will discuss the organization’s advocacy priorities.
CHD occurs in conjunction with Leadership Summit and will be held in person.
CHD participation is free for members. Members are responsible for travel costs to Washington, DC. Not a member? Capitol Hill Day is a benefit of FBA membership, so join today!
Learn More

Puerto Rico Chapter: Navigating the Future of Immigration Laws Amid Political Uncertainty – What Companies Need to Know
2025-03-26 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Puerto_Rico) | ZOOM
About The Event
Join us for an insightful discussion with immigration experts Xana Connelly and Janine Guzmán as they explore the potential implications for businesses under the new administration. They will also address compliance concerns that may arise, providing valuable guidance for navigating the evolving landscape.
DATE: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
TIME: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Virtual Zoom Event
Register at: https://www.federalbar.org/events

2025 Thurgood Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition
2025-03-26 - 2025-03-27 | ME
The Younger Lawyers Division of the Federal Bar Association is pleased to announce the 2025 Thurgood Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition. This year’s competition will be held in-person on March 26-27, 2025.

The 2025 Thurgood Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition is scheduled for March 26-27, 2025, in Washington D.C. Several aspects of the competition make it one of the premier moot court competitions in the country. All of the individuals who serve as judges in the competition are actual judges, practitioners, or scholars. This reinforces the “real world” experience for competitors. Competitors have an opportunity at the awards reception that immediately follows the final round of the competition to network with federal judges and practitioners, who travel from around the country to attend the Federal Bar Association’s Leadership Summit.

Dates & Deadlines
January 13, 2025 (or until registration is full): Registration & Entry Fee Deadline
January 17, 2025: Problem & Rules Distributed
February 28, 2025: Briefs Due (must be received by 11:59pm (ET)
March 26-27, 2025: Oral Arguments

Registration
Registration will open soon.
Each team shall be comprised of two members, each of whom must be enrolled in a full-time or part-time academic program of legal education at the school for which they represent. Each team member must be so enrolled from January 2025 through April 2025. Only law schools accredited by the American Bar Association are eligible to participate in the Competition. Only one team per school can be registered for the Competition, with the option of adding a second team to the competition waitlist by emailing sections@fedbar.org. If 40 teams have not registered for the Competition at the close of the registration period, teams on the waitlist will be invited to register for the Competition in the order in which they were added to the waitlist. Team Members must also be current Law Student Associate Members of the FBA in order to participate in the competition (Note: Law Student Associate Membership is free to all new applicants).
Questions? Contact sections@fedbar.org

Email Communication Policy: By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communications from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
Photography & Video Release: Registrants, instructors, exhibitors, and guests attending FBA meetings agree they may be photographed and/or recorded during the event. Photographs and video content are the sole property of the FBA, which reserves the right to use attendees’ names and likenesses in promotional materials without providing monetary compensation.
Event Liability & Disclaimer: By attending this event, you agree to the posted event [terms and conditions].
If you are interested in learning more about the FBA Younger Lawyers Division, its programs, or publications, please email sections@fedbar.org.

Webinar: Neurodivergence in Law: The Importance of Advanced Communication in Law Practice
2025-03-25 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | ME
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
A panel of neurodivergent legal professionals will discuss what it means to be neurodivergent, how their experiences differ from their neurotypical colleagues, tips to that anyone can follow to help make depositions, mediations, and trial more productive when neurodivergent individuals are involved, reasonable accommodations, and other important information. The ABA has estimated that approximately 12.5% of lawyers have ADHD, but in addition to lawyers, law practice includes interaction with clients, witnesses, judges, neutrals, and beyond. With the neurodivergent population increasing, it is more important than ever that law firms and corporate legal departments get ahead of the game and prepare for an increasing neurodivergent workforce.
Register Today!

Presented by the Law Student Division & Diversity & Inclusion Committee

About the Presenters
Dean Arturo Thompson, Career Development, University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law (Moderator)

Arturo Thompson has served as the Dean of Career Development at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law since 2019. He has served in the same role at the University of Kansas School of Law, his alma mater, from 2011 to 2019. At the University of Utah his roles include his work in career development, running the school Cutting Sign to the Legal Profession program for Native American students, co-managing its Washington DC program, and serving as a member of the school’s Professional Identity Formation Committee. Prior to working in law schools, Thompson was an attorney focused on commercial restructuring work in Phoenix, Arizona. He attended the University of Kansas School of Law from 2003 to 2006, entering the program at the age of 34. Prior to law school Thompson was in marketing and communications, working for everything from his own small agency in Tucson, Arizona, to a global tech company in Houston, Texas, to a subsidiary of one of the big global ad agencies in their Chicago office. Thompson was born in Arizona and grew up on a small family cattle ranch on the border with Mexico. He and his spouse, Karen Ford Manza Thomspon, have been married for 25 years and live in Salt Lake City, Utah. His interests include travel, cooking, photography, fly fishing, and improving a rather poor golf game.
Troy Doucet, Co-Founder, AI.law
Troy Doucet is an Ohio-based attorney who founded a consumer-focused law firm and Ai.Law, a tech company that drafts litigation documents for lawyers. With a background in economics and a successful career as a top-rated litigation attorney, he has a unique perspective on the transformative potential of AI. During his direction of Doucet Co., LPA, his firm resolved over $500 million of cases, usually involving complex litigation of highly technical financial and real estate statutory and regulatory schemes.
In 2022, Troy found a piece of the puzzle he didn’t know was missing: he discovered he is autistic. The news wasn’t a blow, but a relief, making sense of past experiences and surprisingly, even making him a better lawyer. Troy has taught numerous classes on consumer law, real estate law, and artificial intelligence and now regularly speaks about the impact of AI on the legal industry and how it will fundamentally change the way lawyers deliver services.
Stella Gerson, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program
Stella Gerson, Esq. (they/them) is the Staff Attorney for the Guardianship Program at the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program (SDVLP). They graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2023 with a Concentration in Public Interest Law. Their passion is working with children and youth and advocating for those in vulnerable population groups. They received their bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder and spent their time in college focused on addressing stigma and misconceptions related to mental health, engaging in neuropsychological research, and working with children at Blue Sky Bridge, a child advocacy center. Stella also actively serves on the Board of Directors for the Tom Homann LGBTQ+ Law Association.
Christina Hough, Paralegal, Law Student, and Ex Officio Federal Bar Association Law Student Division Board
Christina Hough is a nationally recognized legal professional, consultant, and notary public, with more than 22 years of experience in the legal field. She has extensive experience in various areas of law, including labor and employment, contracts, personal injury, construction defect, product liability, pharmacy and administrative law, and other specialized areas. She is a law student and ex-officio member of the Federal Bar Association’s Law Student Division Board, among other board director and committee roles. In 2023, she was selected by the National Notary Association as its Notary of the Year for her volunteer work with the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program’s HIV/AIDS Clinic and for providing rural populations with access to notary services. She has also been recognized as a Woman of Influence in Law by the San Diego Business Journal.
Christina is a champion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) and mentorship, regularly volunteering her time to mentor paralegal, business, and law students and new legal professionals. In 2023, she received an Affiliates Award from the National Association of Legal Assistants — The Paralegal Association for her work on San Diego Paralegal Association’s 2022 inaugural DEIB Educational Conference. She is an avid speaker and podcast guest, including appearances on The Notary Podcast with Daniel Lewis, Paralegal Freelance Lounge with Jaclyn Foster, and Legal Talk Network’s The Paralegal Voice.

Registration
Register Today!

Live Broadcast | FBA Member: $0
Live Broadcast | Nonmember: $95
On-Demand Broadcast | FBA Member: $50
On-Demand Broadcast | Nonmember: $95

CLE
Please note: CLE for this webinar has not been pre-approved.
MyLaw and the FBA will seek 1.0 General CLE credit hours in 60-minute states, and 1.2 General CLE credit hours in 50-minute states.
Posted credit hours are estimated and subject to respective state approval and rounding rules. CLE qualifications vary by state/jurisdiction.
For questions regarding this program, please contact MyLaw CLE by email: registration@mylawcle.com or phone: 877-406-8636.

Chicago Chapter: Endless Career Opportunities for Lawyers: An FBA Women’s History Month Panel Discussion
2025-03-19 15:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Greenberg Traurig, 77 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
Join the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter for Endless Career Opportunities for Lawyers: An FBA Women’s History Month Panel Discussion on March 19, 2025, at Greenberg Traurig in Chicago or virtually via Zoom. This engaging event features accomplished female lawyers from various sectors, including law firms, government, academia, and corporate counsel. Panelists will share fundamental insights on how to excel as a lawyer, make smooth career transitions, navigate workplace dynamics, and balance personal and professional responsibilities. The discussion will be moderated by Lisa Kpor, Litigation Counsel at United Airlines, and will offer attendees valuable perspectives on advancing their legal careers.
The event will take place in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and virtual participation. Attendees can earn 1.5 CLE credits, including 1.0 in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and 0.5 in Mental Health and Substance Abuse (approved in Illinois). Following the panel discussion, an in-person networking reception will provide an opportunity to connect with panelists and fellow legal professionals.
This event is open to all FBA members, non-members, and law students. Law students may join the FBA for FREE online at https://www.fedbar.org/associate-membership/law-students/.
In person attendees are encouraged to bring one or more new or gently used children’s books (K-8) to the event. The books will be collected for the American Dreams Playroom at the Dirksen Federal Building, so every child attending a naturalization ceremony can leave with a book.
To register, please visit: https://www.fedbarchicago.org/events-cle-opportunities/endless-career-opportunities-lawyers-fba-womens-history-month-panel

Webinar: Introduction to Legal Spanish in Business, Criminal, and Immigration Law
2025-03-19 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | ME
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
Effectively communicating with a client is critical in any area of law. This is particularly true when working with Spanish-speaking clients in the United States or abroad. This webinar will provide a broad overview of key legal terms, phrases, and concepts necessary to successfully communicate with clients in Spanish. During this webinar, the panelists will focus on communicating in Spanish in the context of business law, criminal law, and immigration law.
Please note: This webinar will take place in Spanish.
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Comunicarse eficazmente con un cliente es fundamental en cualquier área del derecho. Esto es particularmente cierto cuando abogados en Estados Unidos trabajan con clientes hispanohablantes. Este seminario virtual, conducido enteramente en lengua española, proporcionará una descripción general de los términos, frases y conceptos legales clave necesarios para comunicarse con éxito con clientes en español. Durante este seminario, los panelistas se centrarán en la comunicación en español en el contexto del derecho comercial, el derecho penal y el derecho migratorio.
Register Today!
Presented by the Professional Development Committee; Criminal Law Section; Immigration Law Section; Diversity & Inclusion Standing Committee

About the Presenters
Moderator: Christian Merida– Associate Attorney, The Law Offices of Michelle Otero Valdes
Christian Merida is a Florida licensed attorney based in Coral Gables, Florida. His law practice is concentrated in the area of Admiralty and Maritime law where he handles matters involving any and all areas of the marine industry and industries supporting the marine industry. He also has experience in the purchase and sale of yachts both in Florida and internationally, including clients throughout Latin America. He is admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Southern and Middle District of Florida.
Dr. Bjorn Arp– Adjunct Professor, Assistant Director, Center on International Commercial Arbitration, Director of Spanish for Lawyers Program, American University College of Law, Washington, DC
Dr. Björn Arp is the Adjunct Professor and Assistant Director of the Center on International Commercial Arbitration at the American University Washington College of Law, where he teaches international investment law and international commercial arbitration. Dr. Arp is an attorney admitted in the State of New York. Björn Arp acts as counsel on a wide range of matters of international law, with a focus on practically all Latin American countries. He is on the arbitrator rosters of FINRA (Financial Institutions National Regulatory Agency) in the United States and the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA) in Japan.
Björn Arp has a Law Degree from the University of Alicante in Spain, a Doctorate in International Law from the University of Alcalá in Madrid, and a LL.M. in International Legal Studies from the American University Washington College of Law. He is a member of the American Society of International Law.
* * *
El Dr. Björn Arp es profesor y Director Adjunto del Centro de Arbitraje Comercial Internacional de la Facultad de Derecho de la American University en Washington, D.C., donde enseña derecho internacional de inversiones y arbitraje comercial internacional. El Dr. Arp es abogado por el Estado de Nueva York. Björn Arp actúa como consejero en una amplia gama de asuntos de Derecho internacional con especial experiencia en los países de América Latina. En calidad de árbitro, él forma parte de las listas de árbitros de FINRA (Financial Institutions National Regulatory Agency) en los Estados Unidos y de la Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA) en Japón.
Björn Arp es Licenciado en Derecho por la Universidad de Alicante en España, Doctor en Derecho Internacional por la Universidad de Alcalá en Madrid, y tiene un LL.M. en Estudios Jurídicos Internacionales de la Facultad de Derecho de la American University en Washington, D.C. Es miembro de la Sociedad Americana de Derecho Internacional.
Pablo Perez Salido – Attorney-at-Law, Haim Vasquez Immigration Law Firm
Attorney Pablo Perez Salido is a dual-licensed attorney in his home-country of Spain and the United States both in the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He is based out of Washington, D.C. and focuses his practice on business and family immigration law. In his practice, he represents clients from a broad range of industries and backgrounds in achieving legal status in the United States to establish, develop, and nurture their business and entrepreneurial projects. Attorney Perez Salido also represents individuals in both administrative proceedings with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency and in removal proceedings at the Executive Office for Immigration Review. He is fluent in English, Spanish and French.
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El abogado Pablo Perez Salido es un abogado licenciado en su país de origen España y los estados Unidos en el distrito de Columbia y Pennsylvania. Está basado en el área de Washington, D.C. y focaliza su practica en las áreas de derecho de inmigración de los negocios y de familias. En su práctica, representa a una gama amplia de industrias y origines en la consecución de estatus legal en los Estados Unidos para establecer, desarrollar, y mejorar sus negocios y proyectos de emprendedores. El abogado Perez Salido también representa a individuos en procesos administrativos con la agencia de inmigración USCIS y frente a procesos de deportación con el sistema de cortes de Estados Unidos EOIR. Es bilingüe en español, inglés y francés.

Registration
Register Today!

Live Broadcast | FBA Member: $0
Live Broadcast | Nonmember: $95
On-Demand Broadcast | FBA Member: $50
On-Demand Broadcast | Nonmember: $95

CLE
Please note: CLE for this webinar has not been pre-approved.
MyLaw and the FBA will seek 1.0 General CLE credit hours in 60-minute states, and 1.2 General CLE credit hours in 50-minute states.
Posted credit hours are estimated and subject to respective state approval and rounding rules. CLE qualifications vary by state/jurisdiction.
For questions regarding this program, please contact MyLaw CLE by email: registration@mylawcle.com or phone: 877-406-8636.

Massachusetts Chapter: Women in Sports Law Event
2025-03-18 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | ME
THE MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTER OF THE FEDERAL BAR ASSOCIATION
Invites you to attend our Women in Sports Law Event in Honor of Girls and Women in Sports Day
A Conversation with:
– Mandy Petrillo, Vice President, Assistant General Counsel, FSG Boston
– Michelle Robison, Director of Legal Affairs, Sr. Counsel of Regulatory, Health and Safety Administration, NCAA
– Ronika Carter, Senior Director of Legal Affairs, Minnesota Vikings Football LLC
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025
4:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
VIA ZOOM
To RSVP you must sign up by March 14, 2025:
https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/fba-women-in-sports-law.html
Please Note: To gain audio only access to the event, the telephone number you call in on must be the same number you have submitted when you sign up using the above link.
All individuals seeking video access will be placed into a Zoom waiting room to start. To be admitted into the event, your Zoom display name must read exactly as provided in the form – otherwise access will not be granted. Please check your settings to verify your official display name.
The mission of the FBA is to strengthen the federal legal system and administration of justice by serving the interests and the needs of the federal practitioner, both public and private, the federal judiciary and the public they serve.

Hybrid Event: Women in the Judiciary
2025-03-14 10:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | ME
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
Please join us for the FBA’s Award-Winning Official Parallel Program at the 69th Annual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Entitled Women in the Judiciary, this event explores the role that women play in the judiciary and how equality strengthens accountability across and within governmental bodies. We’ll enjoy opening remarks by FBA President-Elect Hon. Karoline Mehalchick, and presentations by federal and state judges in the U.S., and around the world, including FBA Judiciary Division Immediate Past Chair, Hon. Beth Bloom.
Attendance is free for anyone interested, and we encourage you to invite your networks to participate. The program is in-person for those local to New York City, and virtual for those unable to join in-person on March 14, 2025, from 10:30 – 12:00 ET.
To participate in-person: This event is an official Parallel Event being held at the NGO CSW Site across the street from the United Nations. In-person attendees must register directly with the NGO CSW Forum here on their website. Note: Participation in this event will not enable you to attend events within the United Nations Building itself. Here is the address for this event:
Church Center for the United Nations (CCUN)
777 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
11th Floor – Assigned room is TBD

Virtual registration is closed.
Sponsored by the Federal Bar Association’s Judiciary Division.
Co-sponsors:

FBA International Law Section
FBA Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Fordham Law School’s International Law and Justice LLM Program
American Bar Association, National Conference of Administrative Law Judges
Association of European Administrative Judges
Association of Administrative Law Judges
National Association of Women Judges
International Association of Women Judges
International Federal of Professional and Technical Engineers

OPENING REMARKS
Hon. Karoline Mehalchick, FBA President-Elect
Magistrate Judge Karoline Mehalchick, United States District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
Hon. Karoline Mehalchick is a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. She was appointed to the bench on July 15, 2013. She is a graduate of the Schreyer Honors College of the Pennsylvania State University and Tulane University School of Law. Prior to joining the court, Judge Mehalchick clerked for the Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania and was a partner with a small law firm in Northeast Pennsylvania, where she represented a broad range of clients in both state and federal trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Mehalchick has been active in the FBA for over 10 years, and is a past president of the Middle District of Pennsylvania Chapter, previously serving as its secretary, vice president, and president-elect, and a former Third Circuit Vice President. She currently serves as a Director on the Board of the FBA, is a judicial profiles editor for The Federal Lawyer, and serves as Secretary to the Judiciary Division. She also serves as her local chapter’s ECF coordinator and civics liaison, and works closely with the chapter’s community outreach chair to implement programs with local schools and the court.
SPEAKERS
Hon. Bernadette D’Souza
Orleans Parish Civil District Court
Participation Capacity – International Association of Women Judges, North America Regional Directors
Bernadette D’Souza is a judge on the Orleans Parish Civil District Court in Louisana. She took office in 2012, with her current term expiring in 2026. After graduation, she pursued a legal career dedicated to public interest law, taking on cases regarding family law, housing and domestic violence. D’Souza has served over 18 years as a practicing attorney, many of which were spent as managing attorney for the family law unit at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Tulane Law School, teaching courses on domestic violence laws. D’Souza received her J.D. from Tulane University School of Law in 1992.

Camille Vinet
Secretary General, Association of European Administrative Judges
Participation Capacity – Association of European Administrative Judges
Camille Vinet is a French administrative judge who graduated from the universities Paris Nanterre (2000) and Sciences Po Paris (2002). After working as a judicial assistant at the Administrative Court of Appeal of Paris, she became an administrative judge in 2004. She seconded three years as a judge at the Regional Audit Court of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in 2014. She currently works at the Administrative Court of Appeals of Lyon, where she started her career. She became presiding judge in 2022.
Camille Vinet was appointed AEAJ representative for equity, diversity and inclusion in 2021, and is AEAJ secretary general since 2023. She is also a member of the board of directors of the “Justice Administrative Alter Egale” (JAAE) association, which promotes gender equality within French administrative jurisdictions.

Hon. Beth Bloom
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
Participation Capacity – Immediate Past Chair, Federal Bar Association, Judiciary Division
Judge Beth Bloom has served as a United States District Judge in the Southern District of Florida since 2014. She was appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate (95-0) on June 24, 2014 (her birthday). Before her appointment to the federal bench, she served on the Florida state court bench in Miami-Dade County for nearly 20 years. She was appointed by former Governor Charlie Crist to the Circuit Court in 2010 after serving 15 years as a County Court Judge. She has served in the Circuit Court’s criminal and civil divisions and all divisions of the County Court, serving as the Associate Administrative Judge.
Judge Bloom received her Bachelor of Science degree in public relations from the University of Florida in 1984 and her Juris Doctor degree (cum laude) from the University of Miami School of Law. She practiced commercial litigation with the law firm of Floyd Pearson Richman Greer Weil Zack & Brumbaugh from 1988-1994 and served as a Traffic Court Magistrate from 1993-1994 before her election to the state court bench.
Judge Bloom currently serves as a member of the Judiciary Division Board of the Federal Bar Association and is a Board Member of the South Florida Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. In 2015, she established and coordinates the Southern District of Florida’s annual Summer Intern Ethics and Orientation Program and oversees its annual Law Day and Constitution Day Programs. She is the co-creator of the Civil Discourse & Difficult Decisions Program, now a national initiative, presented to high school students in the federal court.
Judge Bloom is a frequent lecturer for the Florida Bar, other bar associations and FBA chapters. She has presented at the 2018 New Judges College and the 2017 District Judges Conference. She served on the faculty of the Florida Judicial College for 19 years, teaching newly elected and appointed judges. She has served on the faculty of the National Judicial College, the College of Advanced Judicial Studies, the Florida Conference of County Court Judges and an adjunct faculty member of the Litigation Skills Program at the University of Miami School of Law. She is a frequent lecturer with the Florida Bar and several local bar associations.
While serving as a state court judge, Judge Bloom was elected as the first woman president of the Florida Conference of County Court Judges, a member of the Executive Committee of the Florida Conference of Circuit Court Judges and was a founding member of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Historical Society. She coordinated the University of Miami School of Law’s Judicial Internship Program for 17 years. In Miami- Dade County, she created the “Lawyers Join Hands for Students” Program, the DUI In-Jail Treatment Program, the Smoking Tobacco Offender Program (S.T.O.P.), the “It’s Your Life” Skills Program for foster youth aging out of the foster care system, and the “I’m Ready” Program for youthful offenders sentenced in adult criminal court. She coordinated the Artist in Residence Program with artist Romero Britto and students from Miami-Dade’s Visual and Performing Arts Academies and implemented the Eleventh Circuit’s Centennial Celebration’s county-wide poster, essay and speech contests with the Miami-Dade County schools. She led the effort to establish “Friends of Caleb,” and spearheaded the creation and construction of a now-permanent mural commemorating Joseph Caleb. She is the co-founder of the Children’s Craniofacial Association at Miami Children’s Hospital and Oliver’s Fund at the University of Miami’s Debbie School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Judge Bloom has received numerous honors and awards that include the ABA Presidential Recognition Award, the Florida Bar President’s Award of Merit, the Florida Conference of County Court Judges’ Trailblazer Award and Harvey Ford Leadership Award, the Fraternal Order of Police Citizen of the Year Award, the Dade County Bar Association’s Johnnie M. Ridgely President’s Award, the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Historical Society’s “Silverman Award”, the University of Miami School of Law Alumni Association’s Thomas Davison III Service Award, the Miami-Dade Justice Association’s “Judge Steve Levine Award”, MADD’s Judicial Distinction Award, the Legal Services of Greater Miami’s 2015 Equal Justice Judicial Leadership Award, the Juvenile Judges’ Child’s Heart Award, the Miami Bridge Youth & Family Service’s Champion for Children Award, Our Kids’ Leadership Award, Mellon Bank’s Community Service Award, the Jewish Legal Society’s Rodef Shalom Pursuer of Peace Award, Judge of the Year from the Minority Chamber of Commerce, Miami Todays’ 2019 Stars in Government Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Miami Women Who Rock.

Hon. Florence Hermite-Fageur
Paris Court of Appeal
Former Justice Liaison for the French Embassy in Washington, DC
Participation Capacity – Femmes de Justice (France) & International Association of Women Judges
Florence Hermite, 45, was appointed as a member of the French Judiciary in 2003. She is currently a Judge at the Court of Appeal in Paris. Between 2020 and 2024, she served as Justice Attaché for North American (USA and Canada) at the French Embassy in the United States. Between 2014 and 2019, she held different positions at the Ministry of Justice and Office of the Prime Minister. Before that, she had practiced during 10 years as a civil and criminal judge in first instance courts located in the Paris area and in in the West of France (Nantes).
Since 2020, Florence Hermite has been a member of Femmes de Justice, the French association of women working in the justice system. She joined the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) in 2024.

Hon. Michelle Rick
Michigan Court of Appeals
Participation Capacity – President, National Association of Women Judges
The Honorable Michelle Rick was elected to the Michigan Court of Appeals in November 2020 and began her term of service representing the 4th Judicial District in January 2021. Judge Rick served as a trial judge on the 29th Circuit Court from 2007–2020. Before that, Judge Rick worked primarily in public service as a prosecutor, a senior assistant attorney general for the state of Michigan, and as deputy legal counsel to Michigan’s Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.
Judge Rick is a graduate of Michigan State University and the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She is currently serving as President of the National Association of Women Judges. She is a former president of the Michigan Judges Association. Judge Rick serves as an advisor to the Rural Justice Collaborative Advisory Council. She has served as a member of numerous state committees, including the State Bar of Michigan Judicial Council, the Human Trafficking Commission, the Limited-Scope Representation Workgroup, the State Planning Commission, the Limited English Proficiency Steering Committee, the Affordable Legal Services Committee, and the State Bar of Michigan Corrections and Prisons Section.
In 2015, the Women Lawyers Association of Mid-Michigan awarded Judge Rick the Carolyn A. Stell Award. In January 2019, the Michigan Supreme Court recognized Judge Rick as a judge who gives back and makes a difference. In 2020, the State Bar of Michigan awarded Judge Rick and select University of Detroit Mercy School of Law faculty and students the Kimberly M. Cahill Bar Leadership Award. The award was given for creating and executing “Project Access,” a traveling expungement clinic that brought expungement relief to six rural communities in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula. In 2022, the National Association of Women Judges awarded Judge Rick the Vaino Spencer Award for outstanding leadership in promoting the vision, core values and mission of NAWJ.
Judge Rick teaches Access to Justice at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and she is a Michigan State Bar Foundation Fellow and an American Bar Foundation Fellow. Judge Rick is a frequent guest speaker and lecturer at various statewide and local law-related events.

Hon. Delissa Ridgway
U.S. Court of International Trade
The Hon. Delissa A. Ridgway was sworn in as a Judge of the U.S. Court of International Trade in May 1998. The Court of International Trade – based in New York – is a nine-member Article III federal trial court with exclusive nationwide jurisdiction over disputes involving the interpretation and application of U.S. customs and international trade laws.
Prior to her appointment to the Court, Judge Ridgway served as Chair of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the U.S., a three-member international tribunal charged with adjudicating claims by U.S. nationals against foreign sovereigns, including, e.g., claims against Germany brought by U.S. survivors of Nazi concentration camps. Before her 1994 appointment to the FCSC by President Clinton, Judge Ridgway was a member of the International Practice Group at Shaw Pittman (now Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman) in Washington, D.C., where she specialized in international arbitration. She has been an Adjunct Professor of Law on the international law faculty of Cornell Law School and has served as a rule of law/“capacity-building” consultant to numerous U.S. government agencies, foreign governments, international organizations, and NGOs, advising/teaching judges and lawyers around the world on the rule of law and legal/judicial reform, as well as a wide range of topics in international law.
A longtime member of the American Law Institute, Judge Ridgway is a past Chair (2009-2010) of the National Conference of Federal Trial Judges (representing the interests of all federal trial judges in the U.S.) and has a long history of leadership in the U.S. judiciary and in bar and community activities. She is a Charter Fellow of the Federal Bar Foundation and served for two decades on the National Council of the Federal Bar Association (“FBA”), in addition to service as Chair of the FBA’s Government Relations Committee and service on the Editorial Board of The Federal Lawyer and in the leadership of several FBA Sections. The Judge also served several terms on the Board of the Federal Bar Building Corporation (“FBBC”).
Judge Ridgway is also very active in the American Bar Association, where she is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and has served on, inter alia, the Council of the ABA’s Judicial Division, the ABA Standing Committee on Federal Judicial Improvements, the ABA Commission on Women, and the Asia/Pacific Council and the Middle East/North Africa Council of the ABA’s Rule of Law Initiative (“ROLI”). In addition, she has served for nearly a decade on the Council of the ABA International Law Section and previously served as a member of the ABA’s delegation to the United Nations. She also serves on the New York City Bar Association’s Council on International Affairs and is a founding member of the City Bar’s Task Force on the Independence of Lawyers and Judges. Earlier in her career, Judge Ridgway served for seven years on the Board of Governors of the 100,000-member D.C. Bar and as President (1992-1993) of the Women’s Bar Association of D.C.
Judge Ridgway was the 2000 recipient of the Earl W. Kintner Award, the national FBA’s highest honor; and, in 1997, the FBA recognized her as one of four “Distinguished Women in International Law” (an honor that she shared with, inter alia, then-First Lady Hillary Clinton and U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright). She was also recognized as Washington, D.C.’s “Woman Lawyer of the Year” (2001) and as the University of Missouri’s “Distinguished Scholar in Residence” (2003). The Judge’s many other honors include the ABA International Law Section’s World Order Under Law Award (2019) and its Mayre Rasmussen Award for the Advancement of Women in International Law (2020), as well as the D.C. Bar’s Frederick B. Abramson Award (1996). She received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the New York City Bar’s Third Annual International Law Conference on the Status of Women in 2022.
Judge Ridgway is a 1975 honors graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she completed coursework for an M.S. in Community/International Development. She received her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law in 1979 and was a member of the inaugural (2014) class of the LL.M. in Judicial Studies program at Duke University School of Law.

Hon. Col. Linda Strite Murnane
Associate Justice on the High Court, Republic of the Marshall Islands
Participation Capacity – Officer for the FBA International Law Section
Linda Strite Murnane served as an Associate Justice on the High Court for the Republic of the Marshall Islands from November 2022 to November 2024. She remains available to assist the court as a pro tem resource as the Republic of the Marshall Islands completes the process of identifying a replacement for her on the High Court.
Linda holds a B.A. from the Christopher Newport College of the College of William and Mary (Dean’s Honors) and a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She currently serves on the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association. She is a past chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) National Conference of Specialized Court Judges and the ABA Judicial Division. She previously served as co-chair of the ABA International Law Section’s International Human Rights Committee and Lawyers Abroad Committees, as well as in a variety of vice chair roles with other International Law Section Committees and Interest Networks. She served six years on the ABA ILS Executive Council.
Colonel Murnane served 29.5 years on active duty with the United States Air Force. She enlisted in 1974 as an airman basic, the lowest enlisted grade. She earned her B.A. and J.D. degrees both while serving on active duty. She served as a public affairs specialist (journalist/photo journalist) while enlisted. After earning her commission as a second lieutenant, she served as a supply officer at Nellis AFB, NV, and Keesler AFB, MS, then as a public affairs officer (community relations specialist) and protocol officer before being selected to complete her law degree under the Air Force’s Funded Legal Education Program. She transferred to the Judge Advocate General Corps in 1981 in the grade of captain upon completion of her J.D. and passage of the Ohio Bar. She served as a prosecutor, defense counsel, claims officer, legal assistance officer, chief military justice, deputy staff judge advocate and staff judge advocate before her appointment as a military trial judge and chief circuit military judge for the United States Air Force. She served 10 consecutive years as a military judge including chief circuit military judge (CCMJ) for Europe and for the Eastern Circuit, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. While in the position of CCMJ for Europe, she presided at the first trials for U.S. airmen in both Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom while serving on active duty, trying cases in Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. She also served on the first military assistance team sent to Rwanda following the genocide.
Following her retirement from active duty in 2004, she served two years as Executive Director of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, five years as the senior legal officer, chief court management services, acting head of chambers and acting deputy registrar at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and three years as the chief court management services at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. She was the Senior International Attorney for the U.S. Defense Institute for International Legal Studies (DIILS) from 2008-2009, and participated in global human rights and rule of law training with DIILS in Argentina, Latvia, Liberia, Zambia, Rwanda, and Papua New Guinea, and oversaw training programs by other faculty members globally in her role at DIILS.
Colonel Murnane serves as Chair of the U.S. Chapter of the Pan American Commission of Judges on Social Justice. In that role, she was invited to speak at the Vatican in 2019 and again in 2023.
During her military career she earned the Legion of Merit among her other military decorations. She received the Ohio State Bar Association’s Nettie Cronise Lutes Award in 2003 for opening doors to women and girls in the field of law, the ABA Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement in 2008 and ABA International Law Section’s Mayre Rasmussen Award for opening opportunities in international law for women in 2016. She was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in November 2021 and the Greene County, Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2022. She received the Mattie Belle Davis and Justice Vaino Spencer Awards from the National Association of Women Judges.
She is married to Kevin Murnane, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, and mother of two daughters, Christina Veillon and Rachel Manuel. She has three grandchildren, Cody and Abrial Leger and Aidan Ray Manuel.

Registration
Virtual registration is closed.
Attendance is free for anyone interested, and we encourage you to invite your networks to participate. The program is in-person for those local to New York City, and virtual for those unable to join in-person on March 14, 2025, from 10:30 – 12:00 ET.
To participate in-person: This event is an official Parallel Event being held at the NGO CSW Site across the street from the United Nations. In-person attendees must register directly with the NGO CSW Forum here on their website. Note: Participation in this event will not enable you to attend events within the United Nations Building itself. Here is the address for this event:
Church Center for the United Nations (CCUN)
777 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
11th Floor – Assigned room is TBD

CLE

Please note CLE will not be offered for this event.

Los Angeles Chapter: Best Practices for SEC White-Collar Attorneys
2025-03-12 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | O’Melveny & Myers, 400 South Hope St., Suite 1900, Los Angeles, CA, 90071, United States
Event Description:
This panel of experienced SEC practitioners will discuss the strategy and knowledge essential to a successful white-collar practice in the SEC arena. The speakers will address the nuances of SEC litigation as it compares to conventional civil litigation and white-collar criminal proceedings, including the SEC process and available remedies. The speakers will also address the strategies inherent in navigating parallel SEC and criminal proceedings, including dealing with potential Fifth Amendment and joint representation issues. Finally, the speakers will share lessons learned from recent high profile trials and their thoughts on how to prepare yourself as an SEC practitioner for the next four years.
Panelists: Jorge Deneve, Partner, O’Melveny & Myers; Amy Longo, Partner, Ropes & Gray; James Spertus, Partner, Spertus, Landes & Josephs.
Moderator: Christine Adams, Partner, Adams, Duerk & Kamenstein.
Time: Wednesday, March 12, 2025 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Registration opens: 5:30 pm
The event will be hosted by O’Melveny at its offices in downtown Los Angeles.
400 South Hope St., Suite 1900
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Reception with drinks and appetizers will be provided starting at 5:30 p.m., prior to the discussion at 6:00 p.m. Parking will be validated.
MCLE: 1.00 Hr. General MCLE; This activity has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education Credit by the State Bar of California. The FBA certifies that this activity conforms to the standards of approved education activities prescribed by the rules and regulations of the State Bar of California governing minimum continuing legal education.
Registration Link: https://fbala.org/EventInfo.php?eID=184

Qui Tam Section: [VIRTUAL] FCA Trial Practice
2025-03-12 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | ME
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
This panel will revisit recent FCA trial experiences, addressing the unique issues that arise from FCA practice. It will also examine what aspects of discovery and motion practice really influence trial preparation and practice.

Register Today!

Presented by the FBA Qui Tam Section

Presenters
Sara Vann, Georgia Office of the Attorney General (Moderator)

Anthony DeCinque, Assistant U.S. Attorney, N.D. Ga.

Daniel Miller, Walden Macht & Haran LLP

Tom Clarkson, Griffin Durham Tanner Clarkson LLC

Registration
Register here!

FBA Members: $0
Non-Members: $0

CLE
Please note that CLE credit is not offered for this webinar.

Email Communication Policy
By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communications from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
Recording Disclaimer
By registering for an FBA webinar, you agree to the recording of audio and visual content presented during the live event and consent to subsequent use of the recording by the FBA. You agree that the recording is the sole property of the FBA and that the recording may be used by the FBA in any manner in its sole and absolute discretion. This recording may include questions and poll responses provided by you during the live event. If you do not consent to the recording and the FBA’s use of the same, do not register for the event.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact sections@fedbar.org.
