News & Announcements - November 2009

White House Hosts RFK Human Rights Award Ceremony Monday - Dean Grossman Serves as a Judge for this Prestigious Award
Magodonga Mahlangu and her organization, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), will receive the 2009 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award at an evening ceremony to be held at the White House Monday, featuring remarks by President Barack Obama. WOZA is a grassroots movement of over 60,000 Zimbabweans working throughout their country to empower women to mobilize and take non-violent action against injustice. "Magodonga and the members of WOZA's courageous and selfless struggle to defend human dignity sets a powerful example, not only for Zimbabwe, but for the entire world," said Dean Claudio Grossman, an RFK Human Rights Award judge who will attend the White House ceremony. MORE
Symposium on Food Safety Law Comes to WCL
More than 100 attendees will participate in "Empowering Employees to Protect Food Integrity," a symposium focusing on food safety issues, legal and legislative reforms, immigrants rights, humane handling, corporate farming, and the role of labor in food safety. WCL is a co-sponsor of the event with the Government Accountability Project. MORE
Dean's Diversity Council Holds Annual Program and Dinner
On Monday, Nov. 23, the Dean's Diversity Council will hold its Annual Program and Dinner. The opening portion, "Revisiting Scottsboro," begins at 4:15 p.m, and will include an examination of these historical trials from a modern legal, literary, and social perspective. Participants in the conversation will be the Honorable Robert Bell, chief judge of the Court of Appeals of Maryland; WCL Professor Angela Jordan Davis, author of Arbitrary Justice: The Power of the American Prosecutor; and Professor James A. Miller, chair of the American Studies Dept. at George Washington University and author of the recently published Remembering Scottsboro: The Legacy of an Infamous Trial. The dinner program will be presented by Sanya Sukduang '99, partner at Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP, on his career path and intellectual property law. The event is sponsored by the Dean's Diversity Council and the Office of Diversity Services.
WCL Hosts William H. Karchmer Fall Moot Court Competition
On Saturday, November 21, the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project will host 80 high school students for its annual William H. Karchmer Fall Moot Court Competition. Forty-nine Marshall-Brennan Fellows from WCL and Howard Law School have worked hard to prepare their students, who hail from eleven DC public high schools and one Montgomery County public high school, for the competition. For more information, please contact Professor Maryam Ahranjani at 202-274-4387 or mahranjani@wcl.american.edu.
Professor Dinerstein to be Honored with Top AALS Clinical Legal Education Award
Professor Robert Dinerstein, director of Washington College of Law's Clinical Program, will be awarded the William Pincus Award at the Association of American Law Schools Annual Conference in New Orleans, January 2010. The Pincus Award honors one or more individuals or institutions of clinical legal education who have demonstrated excellence in service, scholarship, program design and implementation, and other activity beneficial to clinical education or to the advancement of justice.
Visiting Professors Offer Specialized Courses in Spring 2010
American University Washington College of Law welcomes two visiting professors for the 2010 spring semester, both of whom will be presenting specialized courses available to our students.

Professor Amichai Cohen, Senior Lecturer at Ono Academic College in Israel, will present Selected Topics in International Law and Politics. The course critically evaluates the international laws and politics associated with recent historical events, in addition to examining decisions of international courts around the globe. Professor Muriel Fabre-Magnan, Professor of Law at the University of Paris I (Sorbonne), will teach Comparative Tort Law, which compares the main western traditions of tort law, including French, Italian, and German law. The course focuses not only on the technical aspects of tort law but also the anthropological dimension.
Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Launches Research Project on Human Rights of Older Persons
The Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law has been invited by the United Nations Population Fund to conduct a comparative analysis of the international and regional human rights of elderly persons. Claudia Martin and Diego Rodríguez Pinzón, Academy's Co-directors, are the principal investigators. The project will enable them to expand their research on the rights of the elderly. Vladislav Michal?ík, '08 will assist with the project and coordinate the team of student researchers. Read more about the Academy's human rights training programs.
Environmental Law Program Hosts Meeting of the IUCN Commission on Environmental Law
American University Washington College of Law's Program on International & Comparative Environmental Law will host the Specialist Group Chairs of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Commission on Environmental Law this Tuesday and Wednesday. The chairs will discuss issues and projects they are working on, as well as ways to move forward in addressing environmental law issues.
Dean Grossman to Address World Economic Forum on Prohibition of Torture

Dean Claudio Grossman will deliver a presentation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Geneva on Nov. 17 on the Prohibition of Torture. Dean Grossman will be speaking to the WEF's Global Leadership Fellows, a group of young leaders in government, civil society, and business dedicated to working towards solutions to problems around the world.
PIJIP Welcomes Bilski Attorneys to Discuss Case, Future of Patent Law
In the Bilski v. Kappos oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this month, the Justices questioned the validity of patents for intangible business methods. The upcoming decision in this case has clear implications for patents on a wide range of business activities. PIJIP and the Federal Circuit Bar Association are gathering together a high-level panel of experts to discuss "Patentable Subject Matter After the Bilski Oral Argument." Watch the live webcast.
Collaboration on Government Secrecy Presents State Secrets Privilege Program
The last presidential administration was highly aggressive in its use of the state secrets privilege to achieve virtual immunity from suit on national security grounds. This academic conference gathers the leading thinkers and practitioners in the field to explore the privilege's further development as we enter the next decade of its use. The event takes place Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., and is presented by the Collaboration on Government Secrecy. MORE
WCL Hosts Debate on National Popular Vote
On Tuesday, Nov. 17, WCL hosts a debate titled "Is America Ready for the Popular Election of the President?" Is the popular vote the next logical step in the unfolding of political democracy in America, as advocates claim? Is it the undoing of a careful compromise by the Framers that has served America remarkably well, as opponents argue? Experts on both sides, including Professor Jamin Raskin, will debate the issue and invite audience questions and discussion. The debate is presented jointly by the Program on Law and Government and the American Constitution Society. MORE
Inaugural Conference Examines International Environmental Law Developments
American University Washington College of Law's Program on International & Comparative Environmental Law and the Center for International Environmental Law present their inaugural conference on "Developments in International Environmental Law," Monday, Nov. 16, 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Two expert panels will discuss a variety of topics, including soils and desertification, chemical usage, and climate change. MORE
International Legal Studies Program Welcomes Jennifer Hillman
American University Washington College of Law's International Legal Studies Program welcomes Jennifer Hillman, member of the WTO Appellate Body, who will be speaking on "WTO and Trade Remedies and Regimes" as part of Professor Padideh Alai's International Trade Law class today. Prior to the WTO, Hillman was a member of the U.S. International Trade Commission and served as general counsel of the U.S. Trade Representative. She is the second member of the Appellate Body to visit the law school this fall.
National Institute of Military Justice Addresses Fort Hood Shootings in Wall Street Journal, Other Media
Michelle Lindo McCluer, executive director of the National Institute of Military Justice at American University Washington College of Law, is quoted in a Wall Street Journal article about the investigation and potential trial in the Fort Hood shooting. McCluer and NIMJ President Eugene Fidell have been providing legal expertise to many media outlets since the shooting last week.
Professor Nicola Presents Family Law Lecture at University of Los Andes
Professor Fernanda Nicola recently presented a lecture at the University of Los Andes Faculty of Law in Bogota, Colombia on "Family Law Exceptionalism in Comparative Law." She spoke at the conference on Contemporary Debates in Family Law, an event within the international private law forum. Part of the Women of the Law Program's project on comparative family law, Nicola's work highlights the biases and the Western focus that have characterized the discipline of comparative family law and offers a new analytical framework to restart discussions in this area of study.
Tony Varona Named 2009 Hugh A. Johnson Jr. Award Winner by DC Hispanic Bar Association
Professor Tony Varona is the recipient of the 2009 Hugh A. Johnson Jr. Memorial Award from the Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the Latino community of Greater Washington, DC in the areas of equality, fairness, and social justice and who have unwavering commitment to and achievement in public service. Varona will receive his award Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009 at the 32^nd Annual Equal Justice Awards Dinner . WCL is a sponsor of the event.
WCL Hosts Event on Human Rights in Guatemala
Three distinguished panelists from Guatemala will discuss the case of the "Military Logbook", which registered victims in the 1980s who were executed or forced to disappear by the Guatemalan Military Intelligence. In 2005 The Myrna Mack Foundation filed a petition before the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights on behalf of the victims. This event takes place on Nov. 10 at noon, and will bring some of those petitioners together to discuss their efforts to bring an end to impunity in Guatemala. The event is presented by the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. MORE
Conference on Public Infrastructure Finance Brings Government Leaders to WCL
WCL and the National Association of Bond Lawyers are hosting a joint conference on Nov. 9 to explore whether our current legal structures are adequate to support the public finance and infrastructure priorities of cities, states and metropolitan regions in the wake of the financial crisis. The program is 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell, Maryland State Treasurer Nancy Kopp, and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro are among the speakers. The program is presented by the Program on Law and Government.

Watch the live webcast of the conference.
Dean Grossman Hosts Alumni Dinner for Geneva Area Alumni
Washington College of Law Dean Claudio Grossman will host an event to celebrate the alumni group of WCL on November 9 in Geneva, Switzerland. Dean Grossman is in Geneva participating as Chair in the 43rd Session of the United Nations Committee against Torture. Ten law students participating in WCL's one-of-a-kind UN CAT Project have joined Dean Grossman to witness the official session firsthand. These students are: Adrian Alvarez, Ari Levin, Carrie Garber, Diane DeGroat, Howard Shneider, Mahsa Maleki, Jennifer Norako, Rebecca Walters, Sarah Melikian, and Skye Bougsty-Marshall. Also participating are the UN CAT Project Coordinator Jennifer de Laurentiis and WCL Professors Stephen Vladeck and Jayesh Rathod.
War Crimes Research Office Releases Ninth International Criminal Court Report
The War Crimes Research Office has released its ninth International Criminal Court report, The Relevance of "A Situation" to the Admissibility and Selection of Cases Before the International Criminal Court. The report is part of the Office's ICC Legal Analysis and Education Project, aimed at producing public, impartial, legal analyses of critical issues raised by the Court's early decisions. View the WCRO's reports on early issues before the International Criminal Court
American University Washington College of Law Mourns the Loss of John O'Quinn
John O'Quinn, a prominent Texas trial lawyer and generous benefactor to American University Washington College of Law, was killed in a car accident on Oct. 29, 2009. O'Quinn's passion for justice won his clients large jury awards from negligent corporations and his philanthropic work includes donations to environmental and political causes, as well as to the law school, where his generous contribution helped found the UNROW Human Rights Impact Litigation Clinic. MORE
WCL Dean, Faculty, and Students Participate in 43rd Session of the UN Committee against Torture in Geneva
American University Washington College of Law Dean Claudio Grossman, chair of the United Nations Committee against Torture (UN CAT), is presiding over the Committee's 43^rd session in Geneva, Switzerland. The Committee is a body of 10 independent experts that monitors State party (currently totaling 146) implementation of and compliance with the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Next week, the 10 law students participating in WCL's one-of-a-kind UN CAT Project will join Dean Grossman to witness the official session in Geneva. These students are: Adrian Alvarez, Ari Levin, Carrie Garber, Diane DeGroat, Howard Shneider, Mahsa Maleki, Jennifer Norako, Rebecca Walters, Sarah Melikian, and Skye Bougsty-Marshall. Also participating are the UN CAT Project Coordinator Jennifer de Laurentiis and WCL Professors Jayesh Rathod and Stephen Vladeck.
Russian Minister of Justice to Address "Rule of Law Development in Russia"
American University Washington College, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Embassy of the Russian Federation are hosting a special presentation by Alexander Konovalov, Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation. Konovalov will address "Rule of Law Development in Russia" Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, 1 - 2 p.m., at American University Washington College of Law, 4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, 6th floor. MORE
PIJIP Presents Event on International Enforcement of Intellectual Property
IP owners and many governments advocate tougher enforcement of intellectual property than is currently required by the TRIPS Agreement. Critics warn that it risks upsetting the TRIPS Agreement's balance between the protection of IP-owners' and IP-users' rights. On November 5, the Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property will bring together leading academics and civil society actors to discuss international enforcement of IP. MORE
Top Law Firms, Embassies, and U.S. Government Departments Attend American University Washington College of Law's Annual Lecture on International Commercial Arbitration
Established in 2006, the American University Washington College of Law Annual Lecture on International Arbitration is delivered by a leading practitioner in the field of international commercial arbitration. This year's speaker is Jan Paulsson, principal consultant, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Paris, and co-head of the firm's international arbitration and public international law groups. The presentation takes place on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m., followed by a reception sponsored by Arnold & Porter. MORE
Program Addresses Obama, Community Organizing, and the Alinsky Centennial Celebration
Saul Alinsky is known as the father of community organizing, and he launched his career on Chicago's south side, where Barack Obama learned and applied his techniques many years later. This program on Wed., Nov. 4 at 4:30 p.m. will examine the legacies of both, and will look ahead to the future of community organizing. Professor Jamin Raskin is a featured speaker, and Practitioner-in-Residence Corrine Parver will moderate the discussion. The program is co-sponsored by the Program on Law and Government, Health Law and Policy, and the Office of Career & Professional Development.
Impact Litigation Project Hosts Training Course on Inter-American Litigation
The Impact Litigation Project is training 19 human rights defenders from over 10 countries in Latin America from Nov. 2 - 13. The training course, co-sponsored by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the University of Texas, seeks to train members of key NGOs in the field on international and Inter-American litigation procedure and strategies. The course is being held in conjunction with the IACHR sessions next week.

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