Introductory Course on German and EU Legal and Political Systems, Art, History, Architecture, and Religion (In Germany)
2026-05-06 - 2026-05-13
Introductory Course on German and EU Legal and Political Systems, Art, History, Architecture, and Religion
In Germany
The Federal Bar Association welcomes you and your guest to join our journey through the Germany. Our immersive program will engage with local attorneys, scholars, and artists offering poignant commentary on the German and EU legal and political systems, art, history, architecture, and religion; while allowing for ample time to explore the storied history of this country.
For More Information:
2026 FBA Germany Brochure May
Pricing and Registration:
FBA Journey to Germany – CLE Abroad

CLE AGENDA
Agenda subject to change. CLE Credits anticipated.
Timed CLE Agenda Germany May 2026 (1)
These educational sessions provide a structured introduction to the German legal and constitutional system, examined through a comparative and practice-oriented lens and offered through the perspective of local experts. The program emphasizes the operation of the civil law tradition, its integration with European Union law, and the practical implications for cross-border legal practice, particularly in the context of German–U.S. legal and commercial relationships.
BERLIN
Wednesday, May 6 | 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

The German Bar Association (DAV): The Practice of Law and Regulation of Lawyers in Germany
This program offers a comprehensive and comparative examination of the structure, regulation, and professional culture of legal practice in Germany. Set within the civil law tradition, the session explores how the German legal profession is organized, regulated, and sustained through a combination of statutory frameworks, bar governance, and professional ethics. Participants will gain insight into the role of the German Bar Associations (Deutscher Anwaltverein and regional chambers) in safeguarding the independence of the legal profession, upholding ethical standards, and ensuring access to justice. The program will examine the rights and obligations of German attorneys (Rechtsanwälte), including admission requirements, professional conduct rules, and continuing
responsibilities within a highly regulated system. In addition, the session will address Germany’s approach to legal aid and access to justice, including state-supported mechanisms that ensure representation across socioeconomic lines. Comparisons to
U.S. models of pro bono service and bar regulation will provide valuable context for understanding key distinctions between civil and common law systems. By situating these topics within both legal doctrine and practical application, this program offers a
nuanced understanding of how Germany maintains professional accountability, public trust, and the effective delivery of legal services.

Christine Martin, Head of International Affairs, German Bar Association (DAV)
Stefan von Raumer, President, German Bar Association |Deutscher Anwaltverein (DAV)

Thursday, May 7 | 9:30am – 11:00 am
Inside Germany’s Criminal Justice System: A Study of Berlin’s Moabit Criminal Court
This program offers a focused examination of Germany’s criminal justice system through the operations of the Moabit Criminal Court (Kriminalgericht Moabit) in Berlin, the largest criminal court in Europe. Using this venue as a practical framework, participants will explore how criminal matters are investigated, prosecuted, and adjudicated within a civil law system. The session will highlight key features of German criminal procedure under the Strafprozessordnung (StPO), including the roles of judges, prosecutors (Staatsanwaltschaft), and defense counsel in a judge-led process that differs from the U.S. adversarial model. Particular attention will be given to evidentiary standards, pre-trial investigation, and the court’s duty to establish the facts (Amtsermittlungsgrundsatz, StPO § 244(2)). Participants will also examine defendants’ rights and procedural safeguards grounded in the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz), including due process protections and human dignity principles (Arts. 1 and 20 GG). The program will address victims’ participation rights, including the Nebenklage mechanism (StPO This session provides a concise, practice-oriented, and comparative perspective on how Germany administers criminal justice while ensuring fairness, accountability, and public trust.

Hon. George Plüür, Presiding Judge, Amtsgericht Tiergarten (Berlin)

Friday, May 8 | 8:00pm – 9:30 pm

German & EU Lawmaking and Parliamentary Governance: A Study from Inside the Bundestag
This program provides a focused examination of Germany’s legislative process and the central role of the Bundestag within both the German constitutional framework and the broader European Union system. Participants will explore how legislation is developed, debated, and enacted under the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz), and how national law interacts with binding European Union directives and regulations. The session will examine the structure and function of the Bundestag, including committee work, coalition governance, and the legislative process as set forth in Articles 76–78 of the Grundgesetz. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between the Bundestag and the Bundesrat, and the mechanisms through which federal states participate in lawmaking. Participants will also gain insight into how EU law is incorporated into German domestic law, including the principles of supremacy and direct effect as recognized by the Court of Justice of the European Union, and Germany’s constitutional approach to EU integration (Arts. 23 and 24 GG). The program will further address transparency, democratic accountability, and ethical considerations in parliamentary governance. By situating these issues within the working environment of the Bundestag, this session offers a practical and comparative perspective on legislative governance in a modern civil law democracy.

Representatives of the German Bundestag

Saturday, May 9 | 10:00am – Noon
From Statute to Atrocity: The Role of Lawyers at Wannsee Conference
This program provides a rigorous examination of the Wannsee Conference of January 20, 1942, as a defining moment in the bureaucratic and legal coordination of the Holocaust. Rather than marking the decision to commit genocide, the conference functioned as a high-level administrative meeting to formalize and operationalize policies already underway, translating ideology into coordinated state action. Through a legal and historical lens, participants will analyze how lawyers, jurists, and government
officials facilitated the transition from discriminatory legislation to systematic mass atrocity. The session will explore the role of legal frameworks, including the Nuremberg Laws (1935), in establishing the foundation for exclusion, dispossession, and deportation, and how administrative law mechanisms were used to legitimize and implement these measures. The program will also examine the evidentiary record of the Wannsee Protocol as a critical legal document, later relied upon in post-war prosecutions, including the Nuremberg Trials, and its relevance to the development of modern international criminal law. Discussion will connect these events to contemporary legal principles, including crimes against humanity as articulated in the Nuremberg Charter (1945) and subsequent codifications under international law. By situating these issues within the historic site of the House of the Wannsee Conference, this session offers a profound and practice-oriented reflection on the ethical responsibilities of lawyers, the misuse of
legal systems, and the enduring importance of the rule of law.

Representatives of the House of the Wannsee Conference

NUREMBURG
Monday, May 11 | 10:00am – Noon
Nuremberg Palace of Justice: From Courtroom 600 to the Foundations of Modern International Criminal Law
This interactive, site-based session at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice places participants inside Courtroom 600, where the Nuremberg Trials fundamentally reshaped the trajectory of international law. Through guided analysis and facilitated discussion, participants will engage directly with the legal, historical, and institutional significance of the International Military Tribunal and the twelve subsequent proceedings. The session moves beyond a traditional lecture format to incorporate on-site interpretation, primary source context, and comparative dialogue. Participants will examine how the trials marked a decisive shift from doctrines of sovereign immunity and victor’s justice toward the establishment of individual criminal responsibility under international law.
Particular emphasis will be placed on the trials’ groundbreaking contributions to the development of international criminal law, including the articulation of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes against peace, as well as their enduring influence on contemporary tribunals and institutions. The discussion will also consider procedural innovations, evidentiary challenges, and critiques of legitimacy that continue to inform modern international legal practice. By situating legal analysis within the physical and historical setting of Courtroom 600, this session provides a dynamic and immersive exploration of how Nuremberg continues to shape the interpretation, enforcement, and evolution of international law today.

Hon. Stephan Husemann, Judge, Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht) Nuremberg
Nina Lutz, M.A., Director of the Memorium Nuremberg Trials
Axel Fischer, Research Specialist, Memorium Nuremberg Trials
Dr. Pablo Gavira Diaz, Project Officer, International Nuremberg Principles Academy

MUNICH
Wednesday, May 13 | 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Judicial Governance in Bavaria: Structure, Administration, and Comparative Insights
This lecture offers a rare “behind-the-scenes” look at the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, the supreme authority for one of Germany’s most robust judicial landscapes. This session examines the administrative and political heart of the justice system in the Free State of Bavaria. Hosted by representatives of the Ministry, the lecture explores how the state manages a portfolio that includes over 100 courts, the public prosecution service, and the entire Bavarian correctional system.

Dr. Isabella Schayan (Rpfl), Ministerial Councillor, Bavarian State Ministry of Justice

Wednesday, May 13 | 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

From Stein to Statute: Legal Regulations of Beer & the German Beer Purity Act
This lecture explores the unique legal history of one of Germany’s most protected cultural assets: beer. Far from being a mere beverage, beer in Germany is governed by a complex web of historical decrees and modern statutes that have shaped the nation’s consumer protection laws and industrial standards for centuries. The session traces the evolution of brewing regulations from medieval guild rules to the world-renowned Reinheitsgebot (Purity Law) and its integration into contemporary European law.

Dr. Michael Zepf, Beer Sommelier, World Brewing Academy, Doemens Academy

FOR PRICING INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER:
FBA Journey to Germany – CLE Abroad
For inquiries regarding CLE Abroad in Germany please contact the CLE abroad team:
By Email: team@cle-abroad.com
By Phone: (858) 707-7887

Webinar: So You Want to Be an Ex Pat Lawyer Part III-Internships and Employment in Immigration Law
2026-05-06 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**

This is part three of a four-part series detailing the ins and outs, and the ups and downs of using one’s law credentials in international employment. This webinar will address opportunities and challenges, and address the “day in the life” of immigration attorneys currently engaged in this field of practice. The experts in this panel are currently engaged in the specific field and will share the business model, how to find or create opportunities, and answer questions posed by participants to give practical information on entering and surviving in the volatile environment today in immigration law.

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Presented by the Federal Bar Association’s International Law Section

Presenters

Col (USAF, Ret) Linda Strite Murnane (Moderator)
University of Cincinnati College of Law, J.D. 1981
Linda recently completed two years as an Associate Justice serving on the High Court of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Her previous judicial experience included ten consecutive years as a military judge and chief circuit military judge for the United States Air Force. She served in a variety of United Nations positions at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, including service in Trial Chamber 3 as the Senior Legal Officer, three years as the Chief Court Management Services, and short terms as the Acting Head of Chambers and Acting Deputy Registrar. She also served three years as the Chief, Court Management Services at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
She currently serves on the Board of Governors for the American Bar Association (ABA) and American Judges Association (AJA) and is the co-District Director for District 7 of the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ). She previously served as Chair of the ABA Judicial Division and National Conference of Specialized Court Judges, as the Chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Armed Forces Law, and as an ABA UN Representative and Special Observer. She served on the ABA International Law Section’s Executive Council for six years. She is an ABA Sustaining Life Fellow, and a past recipient of the Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement and International Law Section’s Mayre Rasmussen Award.
Justice Murnane is the editor of “Women’s Voices: A Global Perspective on the Right to Vote”, and is a chapter contributor to “Her Honor” both published by ABA Publications.
She is a retired colonel in the United States Air Force and is married to Kevin M. Murnane, USAF, Ret. They have two daughters, Rachel Manuel and Christina Veillon, who are both teachers, and three grandchildren, Abrial, Cody and Aidan.

Judith Wood
Judith Wood has defended the rights of asylum seekers since graduating from Pepperdine University School of Law, and has had her own law firm since 1984. She has won numerous appeals at the administrative and federal level, and is admitted to practice before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth and Tenth Circuits, as well as the Supreme Court. She has chaired the section’s International Human Rights Law section for several years, and is a frequent speaker for the FBA, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association, the Asian-Pacific Law Center, and several other groups. A film entitled “St. Judy” was made about her advocacy on behalf of women refugees in 2018.

Federica Dell’Orto, Esq.
Federica Dell’Orto has extensive experience in immigration, international, human rights law and in complex litigation matters. For years Ms. Dell’Orto has represented clients in Court during removal proceedings as well as in asylum, bond, cancellation of removal and adjustment hearings. She has also matured ample experience with the Board of Immigration Appeals and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Ms. Dell’Orto has an international legal education background. She was born in Italy where she obtained her JD from the University of Milan in 2013 in EU and International Law. In 2016, she completed an LL.M in Los Angeles, in Public International Law. In 2017, Ms. Dell’Orto became licensed to practice law in California and she is also admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Ms. Dell’Orto has published legal articles in multiple journals discussing the latest developments in the field of International, Human Rights and Immigration Law and advocating for the furtherance of civil and constitutional rights as well as the development of domestic policies aimed at protecting them. Ms. Dell’Orto speaks proficiently multiple languages, including Italian Spanish and French.

Beth Persky
Beth Persky is a graduate of the Boston University School of Law and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, where she studied International Law and International Human Rights law. She has practiced immigration law for more than 25 years, and is a Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law with the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. She is admitted to practice before the Federal District Courts for the Central and Southern Districts of California, and before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Beth is the past chair of the International Law Section and her practice is located in Atlanta, Georgia.

Hon. Mimi Tsankov (Ret.)
Hon. Mimi Tsankov (Ret.) is a certified mediator/arbitrator in New York City, currently serving on the JAMS Labor Panel, the American Arbitration Association Labor Panel, and the financial industry’s FINRA Arbitration Panel, as well as a number of other mediation panels throughout New York State. For nearly two decades, she served as a judge in the federal administrative judiciary, prosecuted cases on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice and the Peace Corps, and worked for over 10 years in private law practice. She’s been appointed to the Board of Advisors at Manifest Law, which handles employment-based visa applications. She’s been recognized both at the court and throughout various legal organizations for her work as a judge and as a leader in the international legal community, holding multiple elected and appointed roles for decades in leading organizations, including the ABA, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Judicial Council 2 (a national labor organization affiliated with the AFL-CIO), the Federal Bar Association, and the National Association of Women Judges. She’s received multiple ABA Presidential Appointments to the UN Representatives Department of Global Communications, and is currently Immediate Past Chair of the ABA’s Judicial Division’s National Conference of the Administrative Law Judiciary. She’s a Board Member of the City Bar of New York’s Commercial Law Section, and an Affiliate Board Member of its ADR Section. She is a member of multiple chapters of the Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA).
In the labor field, she’s contributed to ongoing labor-related discussions by testifying before the Judiciary Committees of both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, meeting regularly with Congressional leaders, publishing numerous articles in legal periodicals and in a variety of law journals, serving on national and international panels (U.S., Canada, and Europe) speaking with members of all major media outlets (print, TV, film, and radio), and by producing podcast stories. To keep the community informed, she’s also provided expert background information for film, museum, and theater releases, explaining the nuances of labor issues in the immigration context.
Throughout her career, she’s received many honors, awards, and citations from the U.S. Department of Justice, the ABA and the FBA, and others. As a Federal Administrative Judge, she presided over cases throughout the U.S., including New York, Colorado, Texas, Nevada, Florida, and California. She’s on the Adjunct Law Faculty at Fordham Law School in New York, and has been on the faculty of Colorado Law School and the Sturm College of Law in Denver, Colorado. She publishes regularly in peer-reviewed and general interest journals. She completed her J.D. at the University of Virginia School of Law and earned an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Virginia Graduate School of Politics.

Registration

Register Now!

Registration Fees

FBA Member: $0
Nonmember: $95

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.

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 sections@fedbar.org for any other questions.

Email Communication Policy
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If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact sections@fedbar.org

Webinar: Fireside Chat Program (continued) - Best Practices for Litigating Discrimination Cases under Title VII and the ADA
2026-05-07 14:00 - 15:00
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
Master the evolving landscape of workplace litigation in our upcoming webinar, “Navigating Title VII and the ADA: From Compliance to Courtroom.” Gain actionable insights on the latest EEOC enforcement trends and best practices for effectively litigating complex discrimination claims. Secure your spot today to refine your defense strategies and ensure your labor and employment practices remain at the cutting edge of the law.
Register Now!
Presented by FBA’s Labor & Employment Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Civil Rights Law Sections & Judiciary Division

Presenters
The Honorable Anna White Howard serves as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. Before joining the federal bench in April of 2025, she was on faculty at the University of Georgia School of Law, where she taught legal writing, served as the school’s judicial liaison, and practiced in the school’s Appellate Litigation Clinic. In the Clinic, Howard supervised students as they represent indigent clients before the federal Circuit Courts of Appeals, Supreme Court of Georgia, Board of Immigration Appeals, and U.S. Supreme Court.Previously, Howard was an associate with Butler Wooten & Peak, where she litigated False Claims Act qui tam, product liability, and catastrophic personal injury cases. She also served as a career law clerk for Judge Leigh Martin May and a term law clerk for Judge Richard W. Story, both of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
Within the FBA, Anna serves as Chair of the Judiciary Division’s Magistrate Judges Committee and was the FY25 President of the Atlanta Chapter. Anna previously served in a variety of FBA roles including as Chair of the FBA Membership Committee and the FBA Younger Lawyers Division.

David Brody, Partner, Sherin and Lodgen LLP
David Brody is a partner in Sherin and Lodgen’s award-winning Employment Department. A member of the firm’s Executive Advocacy Team, Brody represents individuals in a wide range of matters, including contract negotiation and enforcement, wage and hour issues, wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, and whistleblowing. He is an experienced employment litigator, having represented individuals at trial in state and federal court, and in public hearings before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Civil Service Commission.
In addition to his litigation practice, Brody advises executives and professionals regarding employment agreements, non-competition and other restrictive covenants, change of control agreements, equity and deferred compensation vehicles, and transition agreements.
Brody is the immediate past president of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association, an affinity organization of attorneys committed to advancing employee rights, and former co-chair of the Boston Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Section.

Aaron Spacone, Partner, Morgan, Brown & Joy
Aaron Spacone represents employers in a wide variety of labor and employment matters. As an employment litigator, Aaron defends employers against claims related to workplace discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment, among others. Aaron also provides counsel to employers regarding daily workplace matters, including the preparation of employee handbooks, hiring, wages, discipline, termination, and leave. Aaron has represented clients across many industries, having obtained favorable outcomes for clients in the insurance, education, food processing, and healthcare industries. Beyond employment, Aaron has extensive experience as a commercial litigator in disputes involving contracts, intellectual property, and real estate.
Prior to joining Morgan, Brown & Joy, Aaron was an associate at a mid-size firm in Boston, where his practice focused on employment law and commercial litigation. Following law school, Aaron completed judicial clerkships with the judges of the Connecticut Superior Court and the Honorable Gilbert V. Indeglia of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. He also served as an intern for the Honorable William E. Smith at the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. During law school, Aaron was an Articles Editor for the Connecticut Law Review and the Judging Director for the Connecticut Moot Court Board.

Hon. Mimi Tsankov (Ret.) (Moderator)
Mediator/Arbitrator/Neutral
Judge Mimi Tsankov is a certified mediator/arbitrator in New York City currently serving on the JAMS Labor Panel, and the American Arbitration Association Labor Panel. Since retiring from the Federal Government, she serves on a wide range of State panels throughout New York. For nearly two decades, she served as a judge in the federal administrative judiciary, prosecuted cases on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice and the Peace Corps, and worked over 10 years in private law practice. She’s been recognized both at the court and throughout various legal organizations for her work as a judge and as a leader in the international legal community, holding multiple elected and appointed roles for decades in leading organizations, including the ABA, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Judicial Council 2 (a national labor organization affiliated with the AFL-CIO), the Federal Bar Association, and the National Association of Women Judges. She’s received multiple ABA Presidential Appointments to the UN Representatives Department of Global Communications, and is currently Immediate Past Chair of the ABA’s Judicial Division’s National Conference of the Administrative Law Judiciary. She’s a Board Member of the City Bar of New York’s Commercial Law Section, and an Affiliate Board Member of its ADR Section. She is a member of multiple chapters of the Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA). In the labor field, she’s contributed to ongoing labor-related discussions by testifying before the Judiciary Committees of both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, meeting regularly with Congressional leaders, publishing numerous articles in legal periodicals and in a variety of law journals, serving on national and international panels (U.S., Canada, and Europe) speaking with members of all major media outlets (print, TV, film, and radio), and by producing podcast stories. To keep the community informed, she’s also provided expert background information for film, museum, and theater releases, explaining the nuances of labor issues in the immigration context.
Throughout her career, she’s received many honors, awards, and citations from the U.S. Department of Justice, the ABA and the FBA, and others. As a Federal Administrative Judge, she presided over cases throughout the U.S., including New York, Colorado, Texas, Nevada, Florida, and California. She’s on the Adjunct Law Faculty at Fordham Law School in New York and has been on the faculty of Colorado Law School and the Sturm College of Law in Denver, Colorado. She publishes regularly in peer-reviewed and general interest journals. She completed her J.D. at the University of Virginia School of Law and earned an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Virginia Graduate School of Politics.

David Michel, Partner, Sherin and Lodgen LLP (co-moderator)
David A. Michel is a litigation partner at Sherin and Lodgen LLP in Boston, MA, where he assists clients in resolving complex employment, business, and real estate disputes.
David’s experience includes representing companies and individuals in a variety of complex employment, civil and commercial disputes in federal and state courts and through alternative dispute resolution. In particular, David represents clients and organizations in employment matters involving restrictive covenants, discrimination, wrongful termination, and wage and hour litigation. He also represents companies, developers, property owners, and landlords involved in commercial and real estate disputes, including adverse possession, breach of contract, brokerage, and zoning matters.

Registration
Register Now!

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 CLE for this program, please contact myLaw CLE by email: registration@mylawcle.com
