The International Peace Research Institute in Oslo, Norway (PRIO) is accepting applications for 1-year scholarships for master’s degree students specializing in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, national security, global security, or the study of civil wars. Students worldwide may apply. The Institute particularly encourages students with non-Western backgrounds to apply. The deadline for applications is 16 November 2009. More

My article, "The Legal Implications of Nearshore Outsourcing to Mexico," has been published in the latest issue of The California International Law Journal. The issue contains three articles on Mexico and one article on IP in the EU. My article is intended for practitioners and provides pragmatic advice and recommendations related to contract enforceability, remedies, arbitral clauses, data privacy, intellectual property, and other legal issues under relevant contract laws, NAFTA, and international commercial and trade agreements. In the same issue, J. Anthony Girolami examines the 2008 Renewable Energy Law in Mexico, its impact on the industry, and how California may benefit from geothermal, wind, and hydroelectric power generated in Mexico. In the third Mexico-focused article, Lizbeth H. Flores identifies eight cultural practices that every cross-border attorney doing business in Mexico should know. Lastly, Robert Cain and Mark Finn provide Part II of their two-part article on protecting intellectual property rights in the European Union. More

The "Call for Papers" section can now be found at http://www.insidejustice.com/law/index.php/CallForPapers. More

The SOLON War Crimes Conference, themed "Retrospectives and Prospects," took place on 19-21 February 2009 at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, London University, in association with SOLON and The Institute of Historical Research. Reprinted here with permission is the conference report and transcript of the plenary talk by Lesley Abdela. More

This panel, at the 2009 ABA Section of International Law Spring Meeting, addressed common pitfalls in negotiating and drafting international agreements. Panelists included Pierre-Yves Gunter, Calvin Hamilton, Florian Jörg, Fabiano Deffenti, and Erik B. Wulff. Panelists shared their "war stories" of cross-border transactions. The panelists agreed that lawyers need cross-cultural understanding and training. They provided tips on how to deal with contract translations, choice of law, award enforcement, and arbitration. The following summarizes their recommendations and real-world vignettes. I also provide a list of pragmatic tips based on my experiences with software development and data outsourcing. More