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November 01, 2018

A Message from the Chairs

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

The world may be becoming politically more divided, but here at the ABA International Labor and Employment Law Committee we are becoming ever more globally inclusive. Our ambition is to expand our reach as far afield as possible to labor and employment law experts around the world, to welcome them into our committee and to share with them and with each other the fantastic knowledge and networking opportunities afforded by both the upcoming Annual Section of Labor and Employment Law Conference in San Francisco and by the International Labor and Employment Law Committee Midyear Meeting in Buenos Aires (May 5-9, 2019).

We have a strong representation within the committee from North America and Western Europe, and we are always keen for more members from those regions. Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Africa and Eastern Europe are key areas of focus for the future. Our meeting in Argentina is the committee’s first major step into Latin America. If you know great employment lawyers from across the region who you think would be interested in joining the committee, and in participating in our Buenos Aires event, please send us their details or encourage them to get in touch with us.

And if you are an International Labor and Employment Law Committee member who would like to become more involved – including in planning, speaking at and sponsoring our Buenos Aires meeting, then please get in contact. The International Labor and Employment Law Committee is your committee, and we want to hear from you and involve you.

But first, San Francisco! To whet your appetite for our May 2019 Argentinian extravaganza, we have planned a special treat for you all at the 12th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference Welcome Reception and Committee Expo on November 7 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square. This is not to be missed! Don’t forget to come and say hello to your committee co-chairs at the International Labor and Employment Law Committee booth, to share your ideas and offers of help with us and to get into the Argentinian vibe.

Other important highlights of this year’s Conference include the following International Track sessions:

  • A panel on gender-based violence and harassment will discuss the continued evolution of the #MeToo movement and recent issues in human trafficking and gender violence in the workplace;
  • A program on the Gig Economy will ask the tough questions of where we are and where we are going and whether the Gig Economy is in fact “working” anywhere and for anyone around the world.
  • Finally, we will present a session focusing on how advocacy and litigation compare around the world in labor and employment disputes.

Thank you very much to the moderators and panelists who have put so much thought and effort into these programs to make them as internationally relevant and insightful as possible. We really appreciate your immense support and look forward to your panels, and we encourage other committee members to attend, as well.

And don’t miss the Committee Business Meeting on Thursday, November 8 from 5:15 to 6:00 pm, to help shape and influence our future activities and to register your interest in participating. This will be followed by the International Labor and Employment Law Committee Dinner, which is always a fantastic opportunity to catch up with old friends from around the world and to make new ones. Book now through the ABA Service Center or online at www.ambar.org/laborconference if you haven’t already done so, as tickets are selling out fast.

As if all of this weren’t exciting enough, here is a heads up of another major International Committee event in the pipeline for later in 2019: the 6th One Day ABA/ELA Transatlantic Event in London. This program is currently being planned between the International Labor and Employment Law Committee and the UK Employment Lawyers Association. The provisional dates are September 23-24, 2019, so please be sure to put them in your diary now and prepare for the biggest Transatlantic Conference to date. Please contact Mike Delikat in the first instance to register your interest in participating.

Te veo pronto!

Warm regards,

Clare Murray (International Co-Chair), Owen Herrnstadt (Union & Employee Co-chair), David Garland (Employer Co-Chair) and Katherine Blostein (Employee Co-chair)