During the last week of September, I had the privilege of attending the International Law and Practice Section's annual meeting in Lima and Cusco, Peru. The conference was held over the course of 6 days and attended by more than 230 attorneys from almost every Latin American country, 9 additional countries and 6 states. Programs held throughout the meeting afforded NYSBA members around the globe with the opportunity to meet with newly credentialed US Ambassador to Peru, P. Michael McKinley, Peru Prime Minister Jorge Del Castillo and Chief Justice Francisco Tavara.
On top of what was an exciting and empowering week I was honored to join with Section Chair Oliver J. Armas (Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP) in presenting a $10,000 check to the Dean of the Colegio de Abogados de Lima (Lima Bar Association) from the Section to assist in the delivery of essential legal services to the victims of the devastating earthquake in Peru who are now struggling to rebuild their lives.
This was an extraordinary opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with international bar leaders and policy makers on the future of international trade and the rule of law, and most especially, to do what we do best - helping lawyers and their communities in times of crisis.
from the left is Aaron Schindel, Chair of the Program, Jose Antonio Olaechea, member of the Peru Steering Committee, US Ambassador to Peru, P. Michael McKinley, KGM, Oliver Armas, International Law and Practice Section Chair and Mark Alcott
(note that Mike McKinley is holding his Tiffany "Big Apple" from the Section)