ILSA Chapter Happenings
This section contains stories, activities, and upcoming events of ILSA Chapters around the world. We hope that the shared experiences in this recurring column will provide our Chapters with ideas and tools to improve their programs. Please share your Chapter Happenings by sending them to
quarterly@ilsa.org.
NEBRASKA ILSA
University of Nebraska College of Law Lincoln, Nebraska USA Jeffrey D. Urbanovsky, President
On February 2, 2012, the University of Nebraska ILSA hosted a professional networking event, “Exploring Opportunities in International Law,” at the University of Nebraska College of Law. Speaking at the event was David J. Kramer, the president of the Midwest International Trade As- sociation. Mr. Kramer is an alumnus of George- town University Law Center and currently works as an attorney at Baird Holm in Omaha, Nebras- ka. Mr. Kramer specializes in international busi- ness and is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish.
Mr. Kramer’s speech focused on international law opportunities within the Midwest. Mr. Kram- er gave an initial example of a major business entity requiring international business expertise in Valmont Industries. Valmont is a large, public- ly held American manufacturer of Valley center pivot and linear irrigation equipment, operating out of Omaha, Nebraska. Valmont has numerous manufacturing, sales, service, and distribution locations; conducting business truly globally in six continents. The amount of business Valmont does overseas is staggering. Consequently, Val- mont has a very large in-house legal department specializing in international law.
Mr. Kramer pointed out that with few profes- sionals practicing international law in rural Ne-
braska, there exists a substantial need for attor- neys practicing in the field. Although it is often assumed that there is not much happening in rural Nebraska, international business in agricul- tural related products and commodities happen there every day. Mr. Kramer further elaborated that because businesses owners are not getting counseling on international trade related issues before they make deals, he often only sees them when things go woefully wrong.
Mr. Kramer stressed that international law is- sues come up every day and that practitioners need to be prepared for them. Prior to arriving for the speaking engagement, Mr. Kramer received an email on his Blackberry from a paralegal who had friends in need of Mr. Kramer’s international law expertise. The gist of the email was that a manufacturer in India sent a product to sellers in the United States. Unfortunately, the product be- came subject to a recall and there was a dispute about who would take the loss.
After the speech by Mr. Kramer, students, fac- ulty and professionals were served a reception with complimentary drinks and appetizers. Eric Wright, a third year law student at the Nebras- ka College of Law commented on what an eye opening experience Mr. Kramer’s speech was. Though Mr. Wright had never taken an interna- tional course throughout law school, after hear- ing Mr. Kramer’s speech he wished he had. “I never thought about international law before, but after the speech I realized how interesting and how useful the practice is. Had I another year
ILSA Quarterly » volume 20 » issue 4 » May 2012 75
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