With the 2023-2024 association year upon us, the FCIL-SIS is seeking volunteers to serve as both leaders and members of several of our committees! Information regarding our committees and their charges is available on the FCIL-SIS Committees & Groups page. Please consider dedicating your time and talents to the SIS! We ask that members complete our brief volunteer survey by June 1, 2023: https://forms.gle/r7i9bQfNgnfYvuxU8.
As a reminder, our Interest Groups do not maintain formal membership lists, and members interested in an IG’s programs and initiatives can at any time join that IG’s distribution list via the AALL “My Communities” platform. Links to our IG community pages are provided below:
On February 22, 2023 the FCIL-SIS DEI Committee and the BLL-SIS co-sponsored a webinar examining the history of Haiti, the current state of affairs in the country, and the impact on legal processes and research.
Professor Irwin Stotzky started the session with an introduction to Haitian history. He briefly narrated key events such as Haiti’s defeat of the Napoleonic army and achievement of independence from France. He also highlighted the devastating impact that decades of enforced payments to France following the end of slavery and colonial rule had on the Haitian economy. He explained how these payments led to nation-wide poverty, and combined with internal policies established by Haitian elites to create nearly unavoidable poverty for the majority of Haitians.
Stephanie Delia spoke next and highlighted some of the more recent events in the country that have happened against the background of the history that Irwin shared. Stephanie shared information about the extent of devastation caused by a massive 2010 earthquake in Haiti, which centered on the urban area of the capital city, Port au Prince, and was followed by several aftershocks. In addition to the immediate deaths and initial damage caused by the quakes, international support from a wide variety of organizations either failed to reach Haiti or was allocated in ways that failed to directly or concretely aid Haitian survivors. COVID-19 had a prolonged impact on Haiti, where vaccines did not arrive until July 2021. There was also a brutal assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, another earthquake in August 2021, and international wrangling over the appointment of a new Haitian Prime Minister, all of which contributed to increasing instability in the country.
The final speaker, Magalie Desince, wrapped up the webinar by examining the impact Haitian history and recent events have had on the legal system, and by recommending resources for both historic and current legal research questions. Magalie reminded attendees that the judicial system in Haiti has been largely paralyzed, as attorneys have been kidnapped or shot, gangs control access to many government buildings and courts, and there have been accusations of corruption among judges. This makes research, especially when looking for recent case law, for example, difficult, but Magalie recommended several resources for finding Haitian law online, including: GlobaLex, BRILL’s Foreign Law Guide, Lexadin, the Library of Congress, and Juricaf for current resources. For historic legal materials, she recommended Gallica, a historic digital library provided by the National Library of France, and the Digital Library of the Caribbean. The Global Arbitration Review is likely to be of interest for those working on arbitration questions, while HG is a good source for identifying local Haitian lawyers, and both the Organization of American States and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes provide access to relevant treaties. Magalie concluded with signs of positive change in Haiti’s legal system, where there is a newly updated penal code, moves to improve judicial oversight, get cases moving again in the judicial system, implement computerized case management systems, and establish new private business rules.
Have you, or an FCIL-SIS member you know, made a significant contribution to our profession this year? If so, please let us know! The Executive Committee needs your help identifying the folks who deserve these prestigious FCIL-SIS Awards:
The Daniel L. Wade FCIL-SIS Outstanding Service Award: honors a FCIL-SIS member who has made an outstanding contribution to our SIS in the areas of section activity and professional service.
The Thomas H. Reynolds & Arturo A. Flores FCIL-SIS Publications Award: honors a FCIL-SIS member who has greatly contributed to the professional development of their AALL colleagues during any given year. The winning “publications” may be print, digital, or electronic initiatives.
The Spirit of the FCIL-SIS Award: honors a FCIL-SIS member whose work furthers our mission, serves the entire FCIL-SIS, and inspires others to act.
The Blog Post of the Year Award: honors an AALL member who contributes an outstanding blog post for the FCIL-SIS blog, DipLawMatic Dialogues, during the previous year.
The Newsletter Article of the Year Award: honors an FCIL-SIS member who contributes an outstanding article for the FCIL-SIS Newsletter during the previous year.
The Interest Group/Committee Project of the Year Award honors the FCIL-SIS Interest Group and/or Committee that produces an outstanding project for the benefit of FCIL-SIS and/or AALL members during the previous year.
Nominations for all awards are due by April 15, 2021, to any member of the Executive Committee: Marcelo Rodriguez (marcelorod@arizona.edu); Mike McArthur (michael.mcarthur@law.duke.edu); Caitlin Hunter (hunter@law.ucla.edu); or Loren Turner (lturner@umn.edu). We look forward to hearing from you!
The Foreign, Comparative, and International Law Special Interest Section (FCIL-SIS) of AALL needs your leadership and vision!
The Nominations Committee hereby welcomes submissions for Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect and Secretary/Treasurer of the SIS for 2023.
The position of Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect requires a three-year commitment, as Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect, Chair, and Immediate Past Chair, and will be expected to attend the AALL annual meeting the first two years.
The position of Secretary/Treasurer requires a two-year commitment, and the holder of this office is expected to attend the AALL Annual Meeting both years. More information is available in the FCIL-SIS Bylaws.
Please consider nominating yourself or one of our outstanding colleagues for these important positions. (If nominating someone other than yourself, please communicate first with that person to ensure their interest in serving.)
Nominations will be accepted through December 16th, 2022. Results will be announced in the Spring newsletter.
Please submit your nominations and any questions to:
The Foreign, Comparative, and International Law Special Interest Section (FCIL-SIS) of AALL needs your leadership and vision!
The Nominations Committee hereby welcomes submissions for Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect and Secretary/Treasurer of the SIS for 2023.
The position of Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect requires a three-year commitment, as Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect, Chair, and Immediate Past Chair, and will be expected to attend the AALL annual meeting the first two years.
The position of Secretary/Treasurer requires a two-year commitment, and the holder of this office is expected to attend the AALL Annual Meeting both years. More information is available in the FCIL-SIS Bylaws.
Please consider nominating yourself or one of our outstanding colleagues for these important positions. (If nominating someone other than yourself, please communicate first with that person to ensure their interest in serving.)
Nominations will be accepted through December 16th, 2022. Results will be announced in the Spring newsletter.
Please submit your nominations and any questions to:
The Foreign, Comparative, and International Law Special Interest Section (FCIL-SIS) of AALL needs your leadership and vision!
The Nominations Committee hereby welcomes submissions for Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect and Secretary/Treasurer of the SIS for 2023.
The position of Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect requires a three-year commitment, as Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect, Chair, and Immediate Past Chair, and will be expected to attend the AALL annual meeting the first two years.
The position of Secretary/Treasurer requires a two-year commitment, and the holder of this office is expected to attend the AALL Annual Meeting both years. More information is available in the FCIL-SIS Bylaws.
Please consider nominating yourself or one of our outstanding colleagues for these important positions. (If nominating someone other than yourself, please communicate first with that person to ensure their interest in serving.)
Nominations will be accepted through December 16th, 2022. Results will be announced in the Spring newsletter.
Please submit your nominations and any questions to:
With a new association year upon us, the FCIL-SIS is seeking volunteers to serve as both leaders and members of several of our committees! Notably, the SIS is pleased to announce the establishment of a new committee: the standing committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Information regarding our committees and their charges is available on the FCIL-SIS Committees & Groups page. We hope that you’ll consider dedicating your time and talents to the SIS, and ask that members complete our brief volunteer survey by COB on June 30, 2022: forms.gle/ywVd7kMnvcdJgvFJ9.
As a reminder, our Interest Groups do not maintain formal membership lists, and members interested in an IG’s programs and initiatives can at any time join that IG’s distribution list via the AALL “My Communities” platform. Links to our IG’s community pages are provided below:
Have you, or an FCIL-SIS member you know, made a significant contribution to our profession this year? If so, please let us know! The Executive Committee needs your help identifying the folks who deserve these prestigious FCIL-SIS Awards:
The Daniel L. Wade FCIL-SIS Outstanding Service Award: honors a FCIL-SIS member who has made an outstanding contribution to our SIS in the areas of section activity and professional service.
The Thomas H. Reynolds & Arturo A. Flores FCIL-SIS Publications Award: honors a FCIL-SIS member who has greatly contributed to the professional development of their AALL colleagues during any given year. The winning “publications” may be print, digital, or electronic initiatives.
The Spirit of the FCIL-SIS Award: honors a FCIL-SIS member whose work furthers our mission, serves the entire FCIL-SIS, and inspires others to act.
The Blog Post of the Year Award: honors an AALL member who contributes an outstanding blog post for the FCIL-SIS blog, DipLawMatic Dialogues, during the previous year.
The Newsletter Article of the Year Award: honors an FCIL-SIS member who contributes an outstanding article for the FCIL-SIS Newsletter during the previous year.
The Interest Group/Committee Project of the Year Award honors the FCIL-SIS Interest Group and/or Committee that produces an outstanding project for the benefit of FCIL-SIS and/or AALL members during the previous year.
Have you, or an FCIL-SIS member you know, made a significant contribution to our profession this year? If so, please let us know! The Executive Committee needs your help identifying the folks who deserve these prestigious FCIL-SIS Awards:
The Daniel L. Wade FCIL-SIS Outstanding Service Award: honors a FCIL-SIS member who has made an outstanding contribution to our SIS in the areas of section activity and professional service.
The Thomas H. Reynolds & Arturo A. Flores FCIL-SIS Publications Award: honors a FCIL-SIS member who has greatly contributed to the professional development of their AALL colleagues during any given year. The winning “publications” may be print, digital, or electronic initiatives.
The Spirit of the FCIL-SIS Award: honors a FCIL-SIS member whose work furthers our mission, serves the entire FCIL-SIS, and inspires others to act.
The Blog Post of the Year Award: honors an AALL member who contributes an outstanding blog post for the FCIL-SIS blog, DipLawMatic Dialogues, during the previous year.
The Newsletter Article of the Year Award: honors an FCIL-SIS member who contributes an outstanding article for the FCIL-SIS Newsletter during the previous year.
The Interest Group/Committee Project of the Year Award honors the FCIL-SIS Interest Group and/or Committee that produces an outstanding project for the benefit of FCIL-SIS and/or AALL members during the previous year.
Are you craving connection with colleagues following a year of isolation? Hoping to re-engage with professional development activities (remember those)? Perhaps you are interested in sharing your knowledge surrounding foreign and international legal research, or learning more from your colleagues, and are not currently involved in the FCIL-SIS? Respond to our annual call for volunteers! As part of our ongoing effort to standardize our process for assigning interested volunteers to appropriate committees and interest groups (IGs), please review and complete our annual FCIL-SIS Volunteer Survey by Friday, April 30. The survey is available at https://forms.gle/aZrvEr3ae1fx6HtM6.
The survey provides further information regarding available leadership positions, the distinction between committees and IGs, and a link to the FCIL-SIS’s page providing full descriptions of committee/IG charges and projects. The newly-formed Appointments Committee will contact interested members shortly after the survey closes regarding potential placements and/or leadership positions. Any additional questions can be directed to David Isom (disom@sandiego.edu) or Alison Shea (aas425@cornell.edu). Thank you all for your commitment to FCIL-SIS; we look forward to working together in 2021-2022!
DipLawMatic Dialogues 