The Gavel Welcomes its New SLC for 2009-2010!

As our outgoing Student Liaison Correspondent (SLC), Braden Pence, heads into his third year, The Global Gavel welcomes Mr. Brandon Chan as our newest SLC.

Photograph submitted by Brandon Chan.

Born and raised in Singapore, Brandon moved to the U.S. with his family at age 16. He graduated from UW with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1998. He then served in the United States Navy for four years as a Firearms instructor and Navy Rescue Swimmer, during which time he was deployed for resupply missions in the Arabian Sea during Operation Enduring Freedom. After the military, Brandon worked for a time in managerial positions in the parking and temporary labor industries.

Brandon started at the Seattle University Law School in 2007, with focus areas in International and Criminal Law. He externed for the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office during the Summer of 2007 and is currently a research assistant for Professor Ronald Slye (Kenyan Truth and Reconcialiation Committee) on the subjecgt of international criminal law and Kara Philips (SU Law Librarian) on the subject of Chinese property law. Other achievements include winning 1st place in the Mock Trial Competition.

Many thanks to Braden for all of his hard work as our outgoing SLC and a warm welcome to Brandon as our incoming SLC! Feel free to contact Brandon at slc@globalgavelnews.org.

Our Train CLE a SUCCESS!

Our August 28, 2009 "International Express" Cross-Border Train CLE was a success! Co-sponsored by the WSBA and the WSBA International Practice Section, the first portion of this CLE was held in an Amtrak train car as it traveled north from Seattle, WA to Vancouver BC.

CLE Presenter Chris Hilgenfeld of Seattle firm Davis Grimm Payne & Mara discusses the legal pitfalls of U.S. employment and labor law while picturesque scenery flows by outside the car's windows. Photograph by Jacqueline Pruner.

The second portion of this CLE, along with a post-seminar reception, was held in Vancouver, BC, Canada and hosted by the Boughton Law Corporation.

CLE attendees at the Boughton Law Corporation in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Photograph by Jacqueline Pruner.

Attendees at this very unique and never-before attempted all-day CLE gained a better understanding of such issues as: the cross-border similarities and differences of the doctrines of privilege and work product; labor & employment issues for U.S./Canadian businesses entering Canada/the U.S. respectively; immigration considerations when crossing the 49th Parallel; and tax concerns, lending issues, and cross-border secured transactions.

Post-CLE reception hors d'oeuvres. Photograph by Jacqueline Pruner.

Without a doubt, this literally international seminar offered 6.5-CLE credits for Washington Attorneys (with 1.5 of those credits ethics credits) and was a first - truly an innovative and cutting-edge international seminar.

After a long day of cross-border law absorption, CLE attendees relax and enjoy a lovely reception. Photograph by Jacqueline Pruner.

(Rumor has it that Amtrak is looking into marketing conferences on train cars as a result of our partnership for this event.)