International Week Kicks Off
Sunday, September 14

Mik Shapira (LLM, Israel), Han Kang (1L JD/LLM), Eric Chiu (2L JD) Jessica Chiang (LLM, Taiwan), Kayono Isokawa (spouse of LLM Takeshi Isokawa, Japan) Garrett Weiner (3L JD/LLM), Sam Kwak (2L JD) and Amy Yeung (1L JD) playing in the International Volleyball Tournament.

International Week began Sept. 14 with International Sports Sunday, a day filled with games for students, spouses and children from around the world. The International Volleyball Tournament involved about 30 players from more than 10 countries. Congratulations to the ALSA team for winning the tournament! The International Kids Play Day event provided lots of fun activities with stickers, balls, sand, books and snacks for kids from around the world.

Kuei-Mei Yao (LLM, Taiwan), Noah Clements (2L JD) and the Herbosch, Tao and Clements kids enjoy the International Kids Play Day activities.

LLM Students Describe Legal Systems from Around the World
Monday, September 15, 2003

Urmas Peiker (LLM Estonia) describes Estonia’s relationship to the EU. Also pictured are panelists Marco Alencar (LLM, Brazil), Olga Shmakova (LLM, Russia), Michal Kushnir (LLM, Israel), Yoshihito Shibata, (LLM, Japan), and Mariana Tavares (LLM, Portugal)

Monday’s Practicing Law Around the World panel allowed the Duke Law community to hear first-hand perspectives about the practice of law in Brazil, Estonia, Israel, Japan, Russia, and Portugal. The panel was moderated by Canadian LLM Pierre Abinakle, who introduced the LLM panelists.

During the course of the panel, Marco Alencar of Brazil explained the Alternate Dispute Resolutions methods in Brazil. Olga Shamkova gave an overview of the Russian legal system and discussed the involvement of American lawyers in law firms in Russia, as well as capital market transactions and mergers and dispute resolution and labor matters. Mariana Tavares gave an overview of legal matters involving the EU. Urmas Peiker of Estonia discussed Estonia’s involvement in the EU. He also stressed the importance of international education at Duke Law and how fortunate everyone is to be participating in the global community of Duke Law School. Yoshihito Shibata of Sakai & Mimura law firm spoke about Corporate Restructuring in Japan. Finally, Michal Kushnir of Israel discussed the various court systems in her home country.

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Herbert L. Bernstein Memorial Lecture in International and Comparative Law Tuesday, September 16, 2003

Professor Christian Joerges of the European University Institute delivers the Professor Bernstein Memorial Lecture.

Christian Joerges, a professor at the European University Institute and a well known scholar in subjects including German and international private law and economic law, comparative law, and legal theory, delivered the second annual Herbert L. Bernstein Memorial Lecture in International and Comparative Law: “The Challenges of Europeanization in the Realm of Private Law: A Plea for a New Legal Discipline.”

The lecture series began in 2002 in recognition of Professor Bernstein, a 17-year veteran of the Law School faculty who died unexpectedly in 2001. A specialist in contract, comparative and private international law, Bernstein previously taught at the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Hamburg in Germany and the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. He began his work at Duke Law in 1984. The series brings a distinguished comparative and international law scholar to give a public lecture to the Law School community each year.

Croissants and Café avec les Deans Wednesday, September 17, 2003

Associate Dean for International Studies Judy Horowitz and Dean Kate Bartlett welcome the Duke Law community during International Week.

Dean Katharine T. Bartlett and Associate Dean for International Studies Judy Horowitz officially welcomed and honored International Week on Wednesday by speaking about the importance of international students and programs at Duke Law.

Dean Bartlett stressed the fact that virtually every facet of Duke Law School includes an international dimension. Our students and scholars from around the world, who are well integrated into the life of the School, add a significant component to the education of the Duke Law community. Our JD/LLM program and recent international faculty hires further internationalize the School.

Dean Horowitz pointed out that Duke Law has welcomed its largest LLM class ever this year, which includes 79 students from more than 30 countries. She encouraged students to participate in the International Week events and get to know our students from around the globe.

Trends in International and Comparative Law Wednesday, September 17, 2003

Professor Christian Joerges of the European University Institute with Professor Ralf Michaels, Teresa Sakash (JD/LLM ’06) and Angie Heywood Bible (JD/LLM ’06).

JD/LLM students met with Professor Christian Joerges of the European University Institute in Florence for an informal question-and-answer session the day after his Lecture. The group discussed the viability and future of the European Union, as well as Joerges' analysis of the interaction between European law and domestic law within the union's individual member states. Professor Michael Byers and Professor Ralf Michaels, co-directors of the JD/LLM Program also discussed comparisons between the European and international bodies of law.

The Changing Face of International Legal Practice Friday, September 19, 2003

Carol Stubblefield JD/LLM ’92, Coudert Brothers, with Assistant Dean for International Studies Jennifer Maher and Associate Dean for International Studies Judy Horowitz.

More than fifty JD and LLM students attended Carol Stubblefield's talk about life as an international lawyer. Ms. Stubblefield, JD/LLM ’92, is a partner at Coudert Brothers in New York specializing in Securities. She began the discussion by outlining the international aspects of her job and the obvious and subtle differences between domestic and international clients. 

Being an effective international lawyer, Ms. Stubblefield explained, requires a solid background in a particular area of law and a sound understanding of where and how other nation's laws might deviate from those under the American regime. Certain aspects of the system in the U.S. that seem obvious to American lawyers are often difficult for foreign-based companies to comprehend. Using examples from her own practice, she highlighted the importance of detailed research and careful conversations in rooting out the differences between American and foreign protocol. Equally as important is guiding international clients through often arduous process of satisfying the procedural and substantive requirements of two or more legal systems.

Ms. Stubblefield then received questions from LLM and JD students on topics ranging from what courses prepared her professional career to how often and to which destinations she travels.

Cultural Extravaganza Friday, September 19, 2003

Madhulika Sarma performs an Indian dance.

Duke Law hosted its second International Cultural Presentation and Fashion Show, bringing students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to watch cultural performances of music, theatre, dance and other cultural practices from around the globe, ranging from a Japanese tea ceremony to Taiwanese puppet theatre salsa dancing. The event was emceed by Sebastian Kielmanovich (JD ’04)

The Extravaganza kicked off with a Taiwanese puppet performance by Yi-Lin Chen (JD ’04), Chih-Wei Chan (LLM, Taiwan), Yuan-Chen Chiang, (LLM, Taiwan), Shao-Wen Hu (SJD student, LLM ’02), Shih-Min Lo (LLM, Taiwan) Jason Sass (JD ’04), Pei-Kan Yang (LLM, Taiwan), Kuei-Mei Yao (LLM, Taiwan). Then, Ayumi Oka, spouse of Japanese LLM student Atsuhi Oka, performed a traditional Japanese Noh theatre song. Next, with an Indian dance performance was Madhulika Sarma (LLM, India.)

Back by popular demand were Matthew Durham (JD ’05) andElizabeth Reza (JD ’05) with their performance of the popular Mexican song, “Vivir Sin Aire.” Also back by popular demand was the Japanese tea ceremony which was performed by Mimi Kishigushi, spouse of Japanese LLM student Ryosuke Kishiguchi, narrated by Masayo Isokawa, and with assistance by Ayumi Oka.

Then, Tina Radchenko and Olga Shmakova delighted the crowd with the Russian rendition of musical chairs. Once again this year the law school community ask Jason Sass (JD ’04) to return for another Japanese taiko drumming performance.

Shin Haeng Lee and Jeong Haeng Lee, children of visiting scholar Jae-Gon Lee, modeling traditional Korean children’s clothing.

Omar Rashid’s (JD ’05) reading of Cuba’s great poet, philosopher and revolutionary, José Martí provided a special presentation for the audience. Finally, Lorena Feldman (LLM, Argentina) and Omar Rashid led a salsa dancing performance with Fransisco Prat (LLM, Chile) and Tina Radchenko (LLM, Ukraine), Marta De Leon (JD ’04) and Chin Pann (JD ’06).

After the cultural presentation, Joy Nakrin (JD ’05) and Sebastian Kielmanovich emceed as members of the Duke Law community modeled ethnic apparel in the International Fashion Show. Representing Cameroon, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Japan, and Korea, nineteen people strolled the “catwalk” of Room 3043 and strutted saris, yukata and a host of other attire. The fashion show was organized by Heather Holloway and Joy Nakrin.

As well as bringing fun and fellowship to the School, the International Cultural Presentation and Fashion Show provided a venue for Duke Law to celebrate the diversity of its community. It offered a chance to share culture and to showcase talents in music and acting that otherwise could have remained hidden in the rigors of academic life. To see highlights of the Cultural Extravaganza please view the 2003 Cultural Extravaganza Highlights Video.

Sponsors of the event included Office of International Studies, Black Law Students Association, Asian Law Students Association, Hispanic Law Students Association and International Law Society.

Chinese students display their table at the International Food Fiesta with Assistant Dean for Career Services Bruce Elvin.

Food Fiesta Brings International Cuisine, Grand Finale to International Week, Saturday, September 20

Students, faculty and administrators contributed cuisine from their home countries to this year's International Food Fiesta on Saturday night. The event has become an annual favorite at the Law School, bringing the community together to share dishes and traditions from around the world. It was organized by the Offices of Student Affairs and International Studies, along with student leaders from the Asian Law Students Association, Black Law Students Association, Duke Bar Association, Education Law Society, Hispanic Law Students Association, International Law Society, Jewish Law Students Association, Parents Attending Law School, Public Interest Law Foundation, and Women's Law Student Association. This year's grand prize - a two night stay at the Best Western Coastline Inn in Wilmington, NC - went to 2L Lindsay Pennington for her Tiramisu.

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