African Justice and Business Program

Transcription

1 African Justice and Business Program July 2015 Widener University Delaware Law School and Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP cordially invite you to the inaugural African Justice and Business Program. The program will take place in Wilmington, Delaware, from 24 August to 27 August The purpose of the program is to foster discussion between leaders of Delaware s juridical and business community and members of the Liberian bench and bar. Topics include an introduction to Delaware s legal system and the role of an independent judiciary; the Delaware legislative process; litigation and trial practice in state and federal courts; and the judiciary s role in facilitating foreign investment. In addition to Delaware corporate law, course components will address federal bankruptcy practice, securities regulation, intellectual property, and other relevant issues. The program will include opportunities to meet with high-ranking members of the Delaware Law School s corporate and business law faculty, and leaders of the Delaware legal community including a current member of the state Supreme Court, the former Chief Justice of the state, the Delaware Secretary of State s Office, and several other leaders in the judicial, legislative, and executive branches of state and federal government as well as attorneys in private practice. Widener University Delaware Law School, 4601 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE t: f: delawarelaw.widener.edu

2 LIST OF DELEGATES The Supreme Court of Liberia Associate Justice Jamesetta H. Wolokolie, Supreme Court of Liberia Associate Justice Phillip A. Z. Banks, III, Supreme Court of Liberia Members of the Liberian Judiciary His Honor Roosevelt Z. Willie, Circuit Judge His Honor Peter W. Gbeneweleh, Circuit Judge Legal Representatives Counsellor Betty Lamin-Blamo, Solicitor General of Liberia Attorney Swaliho A. Sesay

3 LIST OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS Foreign Ambassadors His Excellency Jeremiah C. Sulunteh Liberian Ambassador to the United States of America His Excellency Isaac Nyenabo, II Liberian Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg Former Members of the Liberian Government The Honorable Wilfred E. Clarke Former National Security Advisor and Director of Police, Republic of Liberia The Honorable G. Alvin Jones Former Minister of Finance and Treasury Secretary, Republic of Liberia The Honorable Anthony K. Weah Former Special Assistant to the Ministry of State, Republic of Liberia George H. Nubo Former Senior Executive in the Bureau of General Auditing, Republic of Liberia Business and Community Leaders Menplay Forlorma Liberian Community Leader Lahai S. Traore Chief Executive Officer, KC Global Enterprises

4 PROGRAM SPONSORS Program Hosts and Coordinators Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP Widener University Delaware Law School The Delaware Superior Court Program Contributors and Supporters The Ruby R. Vale Foundation The Delaware Secretary of State Lawyers Without Borders Thomson Reuters

5 PROGRAM AGENDA African Justice and Business Program: Liberia August 24 August 27, 2015 Monday, August 24: Delaware Law School Welcome to Delaware; Introduction to Delaware s Legal System, History, and Independent Judiciary; The American Inns of Court Movement Opening Luncheon (12:00 1:45): After registration and introduction to the Planning Committee, the program begins with a luncheon hosted by Delaware Law School Dean Rod Smolla and Delaware Supreme Court Justice Randy J. Holland. I. Welcome and Opening Remarks Rod Smolla, Dean of The Delaware Law School Justice Randy J. Holland, Delaware Supreme Court Afternoon Program (2:00 3:30): The afternoon program will focus on judicial independence and the rule of law. Our speakers will provide perspectives from their positions in the state and federal judiciary. II. Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law: The State and Federal Constitutions, Delaware History, and the Rule of Law Justice Randy J. Holland, Delaware Supreme Court Judge Kent A. Jordan, United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Dean s Reception (5:30 8:00): Dean Rod Smolla welcomes the delegates and other distinguished guests to his home for a private reception. Hors d oeuvres and other light fare will be served. Tuesday, August 25: Potter Anderson & Corroon, LLP Delaware Laws, Litigation, and Trial Practice Morning Program (9:00 12:00): Professor Larry Hamermesh and attorney Matt O Toole will address Delaware legislation, including the process of drafting and amending Delaware s General Corporation Law and other business statutes. Professor Paul Regan, attorney Pete Walsh, and Vice Chancellor Sam Glasscock III will discuss litigation and trial tactics in Delaware corporate and commercial litigation.

6 I. Delaware Legislative Process and Drafting Delaware s Business Statutes [9:00 10:15] Matt O Toole, Esq., Partner at Potter Anderson & Corroon, LLP Lawrence A. Hamermesh, Ruby R. Vale Professor of Corporate and Business Law II. Litigation and Trial Tactics in Delaware Corporate Litigation [10:30 11:45] Vice Chancellor Sam Glasscock III, Delaware Court of Chancery Peter J. Walsh, Esq., Partner at Potter Anderson & Corroon, LLP Paul L. Regan, Professor of Law and Associate Director of the Institute of Delaware Corporate and Business Law Afternoon Program (12:30 5:00): Following lunch, the delegates will attend an afternoon workshop and lecture series presented by Lawyers without Borders. III. Judicial Ethics, Courtroom Management, and Judicial Opinion Writing [12:30 5:00] Judge Virginia M. Kendall, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Jessica L. Ryckman, Deputy Director at Lawyers Without Borders Dan Foster, Senior Counsel at Lawyers Without Borders Jamison Sarno, Senior Director at Thomson Reuters Wednesday, August 26: Potter Anderson & Corroon, LLP Panel on the Judiciary s Role in Facilitating Foreign Investment presented by Duane Morris LLP; Bankruptcy, Securities Regulation, and Arbitration; Meetings with Delaware Leaders Morning Program (9:00 12:00): Professor Bruce Grohsgal and United States Bankruptcy Judge Kevin J. Carey will begin the day by introducing the delegates to Delaware bankruptcy practice and the importance of Delaware s bankruptcy courts in national and international corporate reorganizations and liquidations. That program will be followed by a panel discussion focused on the rule of law and its importance to facilitating economic development in Africa. I. The Federal Bankruptcy Code and Delaware Bankruptcy Practice [9:00 10:15] Judge Kevin J. Carey, United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware Bruce Grohsgal, Helen S. Balick Professor in Business Bankruptcy Law II. The Rule of Law in Facilitating Foreign Investment and Economic Development in Africa [10:30 12:00] Mauro M. Wolfe, Esq., Partner at Duane Morris LLP Paul P. Josephson, Esq., Partner at Duane Morris LLP Stuart Kerr, Esq., Counsel at Jones Day 2

7 Afternoon Program (12:30 4:30): After lunch, the delegation will meet with Delaware Attorney General Matt Denn and the Delaware Secretary of State s Director of International Marketing, Cynthia Kane. Later, the delegates will join Paul M. Dudek to learn about the SEC s Office of International Corporate Finance, and obtain practical advice and insight into Delaware arbitration and mediation from former Delaware Supreme Court Justice Myron T. Steele. III. Meetings with Matt Denn and Cynthia Kane [12:30 1:30] Matt Denn, Delaware s Attorney General Cynthia Kane, International Marketing Director at the Delaware Secretary of State IV. Presentation from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission Paul M. Dudek, Chief of the Office of International Corporate Finance [1:45 3:00] V. Delaware Arbitration and Mediation Myron T. Steele, Partner at Potter Anderson & Corroon, LLP and Former Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court [3:15 4:30] Final Evening Reception, Sponsored by the Delaware Secretary of State (6:00 10:00): The delegates will join Former Chief Justice Steele and other special guests for a final night dinner reception at the Wilmington Club. Thursday, August 27: New Castle County Courthouse Visit to the Delaware Courts; Closing Lunch with the Delaware Judiciary Morning (10:00 12:00): Delegates will visit the New Castle County Courthouse to meet with Delaware Superior Court Resident Judge Cooch and other members of the Delaware judiciary. I. Arrive at the New Castle County Courthouse Welcome from Resident Judge Richard R. Cooch [10:30 10:45] II. Trial Practice Panel: Complex Commercial Litigation, Criminal Trials, and Jury Trials [10:45 12:00] Resident Judge Richard R. Cooch, Delaware Superior Court Judge Mary M. Johnston, Delaware Superior Court Judge Paul R. Wallace, Delaware Superior Court Closing Luncheon (12:15 1:30): The delegates will attend the closing luncheon in the New Castle County Courthouse. Although the luncheon marks the official end of our program, interested delegates may be able to attend scheduled hearings or arguments taking place in the courthouse that afternoon. 3