Annual Institute

ILS TEXAS

Annual Institute Agenda

The State Bar of Texas International Law Section Presents

33rd Annual International Law Institute

“Navigating Global Waters: Key International Challenges Facing Texas Lawyers”

May 16-17, 2024

Hotel ZaZa Museum District, 5701 Main St, Houston, TX 77005

Approved for 8.25 hours of CLE! Course Number: 174235347

Attire: Business Casual

Day 1: Thursday, May 16, 2024

8:00 – 8:55 a.m.

Networking Breakfast & Registration

All sessions will be held in the Phantom Ballroom, 1st Floor

8:55 – 9:00 a.m.

Welcome & Introductions

Richard Muñoz, ILS Chair 2023-2024, Assistant General Counsel and Privacy Officer, Buckner International (Dallas)

9:00 – 9:45 a.m.

Global Best Practices: Cyber Security Risks and Data Privacy

Demetra Koelling, General Counsel, On2It Cybersecurity (Houston)

Davis Hake, Senior Director of Cybersecurity Services, Venable (San Francisco)

9:45 – 10:30 a.m.

Global Insolvency Challenges

Charles A. Beckham, Jr., Partner, Haynes Boone (Houston)

Zack A. Clement, PLLC (Houston)

10:30 – 10:45 a.m.

Coffee Break

10:45 – 11:30 a.m.

Corporate Transparency Act Compliance Survival

Gabriela N. Smith, Founder/Managing Partner, GNS Law (Dallas)

11:30 – 12:15 p.m.

Developments in International Patent Litigation and Enforcement

Ross Spencer Garsson, Member, Dickinson Wright PLLC (Austin)

Debbie J. McComas, Partner, Haynes Boone (Dallas)

12:15 – 1:30 p.m.

LUNCHEON KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Delissa A. Ridgway, Federal Judge, U.S. Court of International Trade (New York City)

“Targets on Their Back: Lawyers and Judges at Risk Around the World”

Presentation of Human Rights Essay Contest Scholarship Winner by Joshua Newcomer, Principal, McKool Smith and Chair of the ILS International Human Rights Committee (IHRC)

1:30 – 2:15 p.m.

Considerations in Enforcing Judgments Abroad

Vanessa Suarez, Associate, Holland & Knight (Austin)

2:15 – 3:00 p.m.

International Labor Disputes and the USMCA

Marissa S. Rodriguez, Partner, Cacheaux, Cavazos & Newton (McAllen)

Francisco Peña, Partner, Cacheaux, Cavazos & Newton (McAllen)

3:00 – 3:15 p.m.

Coffee Break

3:15 – 4:00 p.m.

International Trade: Coping with Enforcement Challenges

Michelle Schulz, Managing Partner, Schulz Trade Law (Dallas)

Lindsay Forbes, Senior Associate Attorney, Schulz Trade Law (Dallas)

Marina Mekheil, Associate Attorney, Schulz Trade Law (Dallas)

4:00 p.m.

Closing

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Networking Mixer – Poolside, 2nd Floor

Day 2: Friday, May 17, 2024 (Half Day)

8:00 – 8:55 a.m.

Networking Breakfast & Registration

All sessions will be held in the Phantom Ballroom, 1st Floor.

8:55 – 9:00 a.m.

Welcome & Introductions

Richard Muñoz, ILS Chair 2023-2024, Assistant General Counsel and Privacy Officer, Buckner International (Dallas)

Demetra Koelling, General Counsel, On2It Cybersecurity (Houston)

9:00 – 9:45 a.m.

International Tribunals You Never Knew Existed

Delissa A. Ridgway, Federal Judge, U.S. Court of International Trade (New York City)

Dr. Peter Koelling, Hobby School of Public Affairs, University of Houston

9:45 – 10:30 a.m.

International Tribunal Legal Issues

Dr. Peter Koelling, Hobby School of Public Affairs, University of Houston

April Carter, Co-Registrar, Iran–United States Claims Tribunal

10:30 – 10:45 a.m.

Coffee Break

10:45 – 11:45 a.m.

Legal Careers in International Law

Eric F. Hinton, Director, Robert B. Rowling Center for Business Law & Leadership, SMU Dedman School of Law

Maximilian Raileanu, Associate Attorney, Aegis Law (Austin)

Dr. Peter Koelling, Hobby School of Public Affairs, University of Houston

April L. Carter, Co-Registrar Iran–United States Claims Tribunal

11:45 a.m.

Adjourn

This program is subject to change at the discretion of the International Law Section.

REGISTRATION FEES

EARLY BIRD (By April 16)

Your registration fee covers CLE hours, two continental breakfasts, luncheon buffet and networking mixer.

$275 (ILS Members/Academia/Government/Non-Profit)
$375 (Non-Members)
$15 (Law Students)

AFTER APRIL 16

$325 (ILS Members/Academia/Government/Non-Profit)
$425 (Non-Members)
$30 (Law Students)

CLE Credit

Approved for 8.25 hours of CLE!

Course Title: 33rd Annual International Law Institute

Course Number: 174235347

Scanning this code takes you directly to the State Bar of Texas MCLE reporting tool with information for this course automatically filled in.

For an attorney to report your attendance, simply scan the code, log in, certify that the requested credit is correct, and click submit.

HOTEL INFO

Hotel ZaZa Museum District, 5701 Main St, Houston, TX 77005 will host the 33rd Annual International Institute.

Guests may reserve their overnight accommodations by April 16 at the special room rate of $239 per night excluding taxes and fees by visiting our online reservation portal and applying the block code BAR515 to their reservation.

Click here to book Hotel ZaZa now!

PARKING INFO

Valet Parking is available for $59.00 overnight per car and $15.00 daily parking per car.

PROGRAM MATERIALS

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

We invite you to partner with the State Bar of Texas International Law Section (ILS) for one of the most important gatherings of the year for Texas lawyers!

The ILS will convene top legal experts for 1.5 days of CLE programming at our Annual International Law Institute.

Your support will allow us to continue hosting relevant CLE presentations throughout the year for practicing international lawyers; publish a quarterly International Newsletter; award scholarships and provide internship opportunities to promising law students; and present opportunities for our members to network and develop their legal skills.

SPEAKERS

Meet The Panelists

RICHARD MUÑOZ ILS Chair 2023-2024, Assistant General Counsel and Privacy Officer, Buckner International (Dallas)

Richard's career is focused on public service and advocacy, including projects such as the Immigration Service and Aid Center (ISAAC) to assist undocumented immigrants. He contributed to programs at Buckner International like Family Hope Centers and initiatives for orphans. His leadership in the legal community includes pro bono work to aid low-income Texans and volunteering for human rights and community service.

GABRIELA SMITH Founder/Managing Partner, GNS Law (Dallas)

Gabriela specializes in business and corporate law, serving fast- growing private companies in digital innovation, software, services, and renewable energy sectors. With an international background, she assists multinational companies in entering the US market and managing legal risks.

CHARLES A. BECKHAM, JR. Partner, Haynes Boone (Houston)

Charlie has over 30 years of experience in bankruptcy, mergers, acquisitions, debt restructuring, and insolvency. Recognized in 2012 as the "Go-To Lawyer" for bankruptcy in Texas by Texas Lawyer, he has dealt with high-profile energy-related bankruptcies and helped clients navigate complex business failures.

ZACK A. CLEMENT, PLLC Attorney (Houston)

Zack, a legal professional with 40+ years experience in financial restructuring and bankruptcy cases, has expertise in complex legal and financial matters. He has represented major corporations and municipalities in significant cases and specializes in conflicts counsel, special litigation counsel, negotiations, and trials. Zack is recognized for his work on cross-border bankruptcy cases and government debt restructuring.

DEMETRA KOELLING General Counsel, On2It Cybersecurity (Houston)

Over the past six years while living and working in The Hague, the Netherlands, Demetra took a deep dive into data security and privacy and began work as general counsel to ON2IT, a multi-national Dutch American cybersecurity innovator. ON2IT helps customers face cybersecurity threats to protect critical infrastructure, financial market stability, business continuity and individual privacy.

DAVIS HAKE Senior Director of Cybersecurity Services, Venable (San Francisco)

Davis is a cybersecurity expert recognized nationally for his experience in the private sector and government. He co-founded Arceo Analytics, a cybersecurity startup, and has been awarded for his innovative contributions to the field. Davis has guided clients through complex cybersecurity challenges, impacting how cybersecurity is managed in the digital world.

ROSS SPENCER GARSSON Member, Dickinson Wright PLLC (Austin)

Ross is a seasoned attorney with over 25 years of experience in intellectual property law, patent prosecution, and litigation. He has expertise in various technology fields and a history of handling IP disputes in different courts. Additionally, Ross has been involved in procuring and licensing technologies in collaboration with nanotechnology experts from esteemed institutions like Rice University and the University of Texas at Dallas.

DEBBIE J. MCCOMAS Partner, Haynes Boone (Dallas)

Debbie has a remarkable track record in patent litigation and appeals. She is recognized as the fourth most active attorney representing appellees and eleventh most active overall in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Her legal prowess extends beyond patent law, encompassing a broad spectrum of litigation and appellate practice across the nation, including the State of Texas. Debbie has argued before the Texas Supreme Court, petitioned the United States Supreme Court, and defended foreign sovereigns from multiple continents.

DELISSA A. RIDGWAY

Federal Judge, U.S. Court of International Trade

Judge Delissa A. Ridgway, now a Senior Judge, has served on the U.S. Court of International Trade for more than 25 years. The Court – an Article III court based in New York – has exclusive nationwide jurisdiction over actions involving the interpretation and application of the customs and international trade laws of the U.S. Before joining the Court, she served as Chair of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the U.S. (“FCSC”), presiding over a three-member international tribunal charged with adjudicating claims by U.S. nationals against foreign sovereigns. Claims at issue during her tenure involved Iran, Albania, Vietnam, Cuba, and Iraq, as well as Holocaust claims against Germany brought by U.S. survivors of Nazi concentration camps. The Judge began her career at one of Washington, D.C.’s largest firms, specializing in international commercial arbitration.

JOSHUA NEWCOMER Principal, McKool Smith (Houston)

Joshua specializes in complex commercial litigation. His areas of focus include financial, fiduciary, construction, and bankruptcy-related disputes. He has represented numerous post-bankruptcy trustees and their counterparties in high-profile cases. He sits on the ILS Council where he serves as the Chair of the International Human Rights Committee and Editor-in-Chief of the section’s International Newsletter.

VANESSA SUAREZ Associate, Holland & Knight (Austin)

Vanessa is a commercial litigation and international disputes attorney. She focuses her practice on disputes in the energy sector and has significant experience with construction, energy, trade secrets, business torts and various other commercial disputes. Her background includes litigation management and trial experience in state and federal matters.

MARISSA SANDOVAL RODRIGUEZ Partner, Cacheaux, Cavazos & Newton (McAllen)

Being on the border, Marissa understands the value of the relationship between the US and Mexico and the importance of cross-border business. For over 17 years, she has represented clients from the US and Mexico on domestic and international matters, including corporate, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, contractual, estate planning, and probate matters.

FRANCISCO PEÑA Partner, Cacheaux, Cavazos & Newton (McAllen)

Francisco represents foreign investors with a focus on cross-border operations between the US, Mexico, and other Latin American countries in environmental matters, compliance, mergers & acquisitions, labor and employment litigation, health and safety, government relations, and contractual areas. He has extensive experience in negotiating collective bargaining agreements with unions before the Mexican labor authorities, as well as in representing companies in their compliance obligations before the different agencies and government offices in Mexico.

MICHELLE SCHULZ Founder/Managing Partner, Schulz Trade Law (Dallas)

Michelle is a nationally recognized leader in her field, serving as a senior industry advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative on the Industry Trade advisory for Aerospace. She routinely advocates for exporters and importers in federal investigations, fines and penalties, audits disclosures, export licensing and international trade.

LINDSAY FORBES Senior Associate Attorney, Schulz Trade Law (Dallas)

Lindsay specializes in international trade law and focuses on compliance, risk mitigation, and developing export control and sanctions programs. She has experience in telecommunications, autonomous vehicles, and Big Data platforms. Lindsay was involved in a major export control monitorship and has a background in commercial litigation.

MARINA MEKHEIL Associate Attorney, Schulz Trade Law (Dallas)

Marina has a wealth of experience from her previous role with the U.S. Government's Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Trade, Regulations and Rulings Directorate. During her time there, she provided advice on customs matters, including advanced rulings, litigation proceedings, and customs law trainings. Marina's expertise is particularly strong in navigating the complexities of import regulations. She utilizes her deep understanding of customs operations to advise clients on risk mitigation strategies, ensuring compliance and protecting them from potential fines and penalties.

DR. PETER KOELLING Hobby School of Public Affairs, University of Houston

Before joining the University of Houston in 2021, Peter was with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in The Hague, where he was the chief of Court Management. Previously, he was the director and chief counsel for the Judicial Division of the American Bar Association for eight years and has been a licensed attorney for nearly 40 years. He has worked as a court administrator in various courts in Texas, Washington and Colorado.

APRIL CARTER Co-Registrar, Iran–United States Claims Tribunal (IUSCT)

April has over 20 years’ experience specializing in complex litigation with a focus on domestic and international criminal law, human rights, humanitarian affairs, child welfare, safeguarding, compliance, ethics, and administrative law. The IUSCT arbitration court was established to resolve the crisis in relations between Iran and the US arising out of the 1979 hostage crisis at the US Embassy in Tehran and the subsequent freezing of Iranian assets.

ERIC F. HINTON Founding Director, Robert B. Rowling Center for Business Law & Leadership, SMU Dedman School of Law (Dallas)

Eric teaches international business law, European Union law, and ethics and compliance law at SMU Dedman School of Law and Loyola Chicago University Corboy School of Law. He has developed innovative law courses in international business practice and corporate compliance law and regularly speaks at business law and compliance events and conferences. He also lectures in the MBA programs at the University of Texas at Dallas, Jindal School of Management.

MAXIMILIAN RAILEANU Associate Attorney, Aegis Law (Austin)

Max has supported attorneys and clients in hearings, mediations, and arbitrations. He’s passionate about national and international case law, evidenced by his time spent as an international arbitration legal intern for the London office of WilmerHale. Driven by a deep sense of duty to the public, Max’s work in local government primarily inspired his interest in law. He hopes to one day pursue public office.