James R. Silkenat is a respected lawyer with a wealth of experience in international mergers and acquisitions and joint venture transactions, particularly in the energy industry. He is a former Legal Counsel at the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation and a former Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Silkenat served as President of the American Bar Association in 2013-2014 and has chaired several committees and initiatives of the ABA, including the Latin American Legal Initiatives Council and the China Committee. He has also received numerous awards for his contributions to the legal profession, including the ABA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 and the Louis B. Sohn Award for Public International Law in 2013.
Mr. Silkenat is an active writer and editor, having authored more than 100 articles on law, public policy, and international business for various publications. He has also edited several books, including The ABA Guide to International Business Negotiations and The ABA Guide to Foreign Law Firms. Mr. Silkenat received his LL.M. Degree from New York University School of Law, his J.D. Degree from the University of Chicago Law School, and his B.A. Degree from Drury College. He is also a member of several professional organizations, including the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Law Institute.
As chunks of the Berlin Wall were being torn down by jubilant crowds on November 9, 1989, James Silkenat was serving his term as chair of the ABA International Law Section. But...
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