Events

2024 Advocacy Toolkit for Lawyers – Herrick Led Webinar Series

June 25, 2024
Yariv C. Ben-Ari, Barry Werbin, Leah Kelman, Outside Speakers & Guests
Live Webinars

Herrick's webinar series is aimed at providing attendees with in-depth knowledge of international advocacy, including strategies and skills to effectively support social causes in various settings. Through a combination of panel discussions, participants will learn how to effectively communicate key messages, counter misinformation, engage in productive dialogue and utilize different tools including social media for advocacy purposes. These modules are open to any attorneys interested in supporting social causes and developing their advocacy skills. Some courses will be available for CLE credits.


MODULE 1 - Introduction to International Judicial Institutions: Current Challenges & Opportunities
Tuesday, June 18th
In this module, participants will delve into the intricacies of the international legal system by exploring two of the most important judicial institutions of the international community: the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC). Through specific examples of recent cases, we will discuss different methods of engagement with these Courts. We will analyze the geopolitical dynamics shaping the discourse and develop insights into how best to approach advocacy efforts in light of these challenges and opportunities. Through this exploration, participants will enhance their ability to engage in impactful advocacy initiatives and contribute meaningfully to the discourse relevant to international courts and tribunals.

Speakers
Dr. Roy S. Schöndorf

Board Member - International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (IJL); Partner; Head of International Dispute Resolution - Herzog, Fox, Neeman 
Dr. Roy Schöndorf is a Board of Governors’ member of the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (IJL). Dr Schöndorf heads the International Dispute Resolution Practice Group at Herzog, Fox, Neeman. Until June 2022, he served as Israel's Deputy Attorney General (International Law). Prior to his appointment in 2013, Dr. Schöndorf was the Director of the Department of Special International Affairs within the State Attorney's Office. Before joining the Ministry of Justice, Dr. Schöndorf worked with the International Dispute Resolution Group at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. He earned his Doctorate in Juridical Sciences from New York University School of Law and holds degrees in law and economics from Tel Aviv University.

Yariv C. Ben-Ari
Partner; Co-Chair, Israel Practice; Co-Chair, Real Estate Hospitality - Herrick
Yariv advises real estate lenders, trustees, servicers, owners, operators, developers and contractors on a variety of sophisticated matters. An Israeli-American, and a member of the Israeli bar with longstanding ties to both countries, Yariv often assists foreign developers and investors in their U.S. real estate transactions, as well as U.S. clients seeking outbound investments. Yariv’s diverse experience spans office buildings, shopping centers, multifamily properties, hotels and resort properties across the U.S. and abroad. He frequently advises clients on single asset and portfolio acquisitions and dispositions, domestic and international development projects, foreign bond financings, preferred equity, mezzanine loans and intercreditor agreements, and other finance transactions. He also represents developers, contractors, subcontractors and design professionals on complex construction contracts and project administration matters.

Please reach out to [email protected] of you are interested in a recording of the conversation.
For CLE questions and to submit your paperwork, please email Amy Deng at [email protected].


MODULE 2 - Social Media and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategies for Advocacy: Leveraging Platforms for Effective Communication and Outreach
June 25 at 9:30 - 11:00 ET (1.5 CLE Credits)
This program is eligible for 1.5 CLE credits in New York. This program is suitable for experienced and newly admitted attorneys.
In this module, participants will learn about the current landscape of social media and AI in the complex world of today’s political and humanitarian conversations. Social media and AI significantly influence these conversations by amplifying voices and enabling rapid dissemination of information. Social media platforms allow for real-time dialogue and mobilization, but they also risk spreading misinformation and polarizing public opinion. Speakers will discuss how AI-driven content and algorithms can also contribute to potentially hindering balanced and inclusive discourse. Speakers will discuss what is happening in the law around such challenges and what lawyers need to keep top of mind. Speakers will also discuss how university campuses are often a crucible for such challenges, and will use case studies around social media harassment, "doxxing" and the ramifications for all involved as a point of discussion.

Speakers
Yfat Barak-Cheney

Director of International Affairs, Technology and Human Rights - World Jewish Congress (WJC)
Through her work, Yfat engages with stakeholders such as governments, international organizations, civil society and tech companies on issues of hate speech and antisemitism online, Holocaust denial and distortion online, using technology for education and more. Yfat earned an LL.M in International Legal Studies from New York University where she was a Transitional Justice Scholar and an International Law and Human Rights Fellow. She also holds an LL.M (with honors) from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where she also received her L.L.B and a B.A in International Relations, receiving an award for outstanding international law student. Yfat clerked with the International Law Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel and interned with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva. She also spent a year as a fellow with the criminal justice department of the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) in New York and several months with the ICTJ Bogotá office. She previously worked with the Ministry of Justice Unit for Combating Human Trafficking and in several NGO’s. Yfat is a co-founder of ALMA – Association for the Promotion of International Humanitarian Law in Israel. She is an International Law instructor for the American Red Cross and a pro-bono attorney for immigration and asylum cases. She is a member of the New York Bar and the Israeli Bar Association.

Alyza D. Lewin
President and General Counsel - Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law
Alyza D. Lewin is the President of The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (LDB), a non-profit organization established to advance the civil and human rights of the Jewish people and promote justice for all. The Brandeis Center conducts research, education and legal advocacy to combat the resurgence of anti-Semitism on college and university campuses. It empowers students by training them to understand their legal rights and educates administrators on best practices to combat racism and anti-Semitism on campus. Ms. Lewin is also a co-founder and partner in Lewin & Lewin, LLP where she specializes in litigation, mediation and government relations. Her experience includes criminal defense, civil litigation and anti-discrimination matters. Ms. Lewin began her law career in Israel where she clerked on the Supreme Court for Deputy President Justice Menachem Elon. Ms. Lewin served as President of the American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (AAJLJ) from 2012 – 2017. In January 2020, Ms. Lewin was awarded the AAJLJ’s distinguished Pursuit of Justice Award. Ms. Lewin received her B.A. from Princeton University in 1988 and a J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1992. 

Sagit Sade Attia
National Sr. Director of Academic Action - Israeli American Council (IAC)
Sagit is an accomplished Israeli attorney with a decade at the Israeli State Attorney's Office litigating constitutional cases and labor law cases before the Supreme Court and High Court of Justice. Working in Boston, she's been a key advocate for Israel's economic growth, combining legal expertise with entrepreneurial flair by founding a fundraising agency for businesses entering the U.S. market, especially Israeli firms, serving as in-house counsel to startups and as a business consultant at an international consulting firm. Her commitment to community shines through her role in founding the Big Brother Big Sister program’s chapter in Jerusalem and leading a citizenship and leadership program at the Israeli School of Brookline. Sagit's academic career started as a member of the law faculty at The Hebrew University and continued at Boston University, where she graduated with her master's in law. 

Barry Werbin
Counsel, Intellectual Property and Technology Group - Herrick
Barry concentrates his practice in intellectual property and online issues (including trademarks, trade dress, copyrights, unfair competition, false advertising, publicity and privacy rights, trade secrets, domain name issues and UDRP arbitrations, digital rights protection, trademark and content licensing, Internet and traditional marketing and sponsorship agreements, publishing, due diligence and exploitation rights) and technology (including software licensing and development, IT support agreements, website development and hosting, and data and computer security breaches). Barry handles infringement and other complex commercial litigation and a broad variety of IP-related transactional matters. Barry is a trustee and member of the Copyright Society of the USA (CSUSA) and served as immediate prior chair of the NYS Bar Association's Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section. Barry was chair of the Copyright & Literary Property Committee of the New York City Bar Association and was co-chair of the CSUSA’s New York Chapter. He is currently a member of INTA’s Commercialization of Brands Committee and was a prior member of INTA's Online Use/Web 2.0 Working Group which studied brands in social media. 

Please reach out to [email protected] of you are interested in a recording of the conversation.
For CLE questions and to submit your paperwork, please email Amy Deng at [email protected].


We plan on offering two additional modules in this webinar series in 2024.
The topics, speakers and scheduling for Modules 3 and 4 are tentative. Please check back for further updates. 

MODULE 3
Module 3 will explore the legal and ethical considerations surrounding advocacy efforts, compliance requirements, and strategies for engaging in impactful advocacy work. This webinar will cover a variety of timely topics including lobbying, the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), Political Action Committees (PACs), and 501(c)(3) Organizations. 


MODULE 4 
Module 4 will discuss the knowledge and skills needed to develop and implement impactful advocacy campaigns. Participants will discuss how to develop proficiency in crafting compelling advocacy messages tailored to diverse audiences, explore strategies for engaging stakeholders, building coalitions, and mobilizing grassroots support. The aim is to gain insights into monitoring and evaluating the impact of advocacy efforts for continuous improvement.

Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.


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