2016 Annual Florida Bar Convention: The International Law Division

In this Special Reports, host Laurence Colletti speaks with The Florida Bar International Law Section Chair Eduardo Palmer about his division, international arbitration, and how the state has become a world center for international law. Eduardo gives a brief history of the division, which was founded in 1981, and shares that they have slightly more than 1000 members. He explains that one of their main areas of focus is streamlining rules, regulations, and legislation in Florida to make the state a major international law center. Gordon then discusses Florida Bar rule 1-3.11, how it has spiked the arbitration work they receive by 200-300%, and how it made Miami the second premiere U.S. location for international arbitration relating to the Americas behind New York City. He closes the interview with an overview of the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, the sponsored pre-Vis moot dress rehearsal held in Miami, and his top reasons why attorneys should join the ILS.

Eduardo Palmer is the chair of The Florida Bar International Law Section. He has been a litigator for over 25 years and has work in both the private and public sectors. His practice areas include complex commercial litigation, international litigation and arbitration, and white collar criminal defense. Eduardo has had over 25 jury trials in federal and state court and has argued various times before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit and before several Florida District Courts of Appeal. His litigation experience includes, among others, class actions, securities fraud, large multi-district litigation matters, civil RICO, breach of contract, fraud, intellectual property claims, appeals, money laundering, FCPA, forfeiture, tax and bank fraud.