ABA International Law Section Annual Conference 2026

JAMS is a proud sponsor of the 2026 ABA International Law Section Annual Conference, taking place this year in Washington, D.C., on May 11-14, 2026. Join JAMS neutrals, Jeffrey G. Benz, Esq., FCIArb, FCollArb, CEDS, Giuseppe De Palo, Esq. Jeffrey M. Senger, Esq., FCIArb and Gilbert K. Squires, P.E., BCS, FCCA, DCIArb on various panels throughout the week. The conference will address legal issues in various program tracks, including Arbitration & Mediation, Artificial Intelligence, Criminal, Human Rights, Litigation, Trade, Transactions, and Young Lawyers, and will provide registrants with the opportunity to network, learn, and engage with international attorneys from distinguished law firms, private organizations, and governmental institutions worldwide.

This year, the Warren Knight Distinguished Service Award will be presented at the Annual Conference on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM during the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Named in honor of JAMS Founder, H. Warren Knight, this award recognizes the work of extraordinary individuals and organizations in promoting and advancing collaborative forms of conflict prevention and dispute resolution. The JAMS Foundation is proud to honor DC Peace Team with the 2026 Warren Knight Award in recognition of its commitment to building peaceful communities through nonviolent skills training, restorative practices, and unarmed civilian protection.

Featured Panels:

Masterclass on Negotiation - When Strong Cases Don't Close Deals: What Really Separates Winning Negotiators from the Rest
Monday, May 11, 2026, at 3:00-4:30 PM and 5:00-6:30 PM ET with Networking Reception to follow (JAMS DC Resolution Center | 1050 K St NW, Washington, DC) 
This hands-on negotiation lab places participants in the “hot seat” to work through live scenarios while learning from practitioners who negotiate under extreme pressure—from hostage crises and international disputes to energy deals and corporate transactions.
The central insight: having the stronger legal position doesn’t guarantee success at the table. Using a fishbowl format, faculty will demonstrate what actually separates negotiators who consistently close favorable deals from those who don’t—and why those differentiating factors have little to do with legal analysis and everything to do with tactical execution, relationship dynamics, and real-time decision-making.
Featured JAMS Neutral: 

• Giuseppe De Palo, Esq., International Arbitrator & Mediator, JAMS - New York
• Jeffrey M. Senger, Esq., FCIArb, International Arbitrator & Mediator, JAMS - Washington, DC

The Global Momentum for International Mediation: Advancing the Rule of Law
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM ET
Across jurisdictions, governments, institutions, and commercial actors are embracing mediation as a key part of the global dispute resolution framework. This panel will examine key trends shaping the future of mediation and how they support the rule of law by enhancing access to justice and the enforceability of agreements. We’ll explore recent developments including the enforcement of mediated settlements under the Singapore Convention, the creation of IOMed, mandatory mediation trends, growth in Latin America, India’s 2023 Mediation Act, and the impact of Mexico’s 2024 General Law on ADR Mechanisms. We’ll analyze how these developments are transforming mediation into an integral pillar of formal legal systems, positioning it not as an alternative but as a partner in upholding the rule of law.

Moderator: Giuseppe De Palo, Esq., International Arbitrator & Mediator, JAMS - New York

Speakers:

• Ileana Smeurneau, Legal Director, Pinsent Mason – Paris
• Renata Maximiano, Federal Judge of the Regional Labor Court of the 2nd Region – Sao Paulo
• Sudhanshu Roy, Partner, Foley Hoag – Washington, D.C.
• Hernando Otero, International Arbitrator & Mediator, Professor at the Washington College of Law, American University – Washington, D.C. 
   

Industry Perspectives on International Mediation: Promise, Pitfalls, and Practical Realities
Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 4:30 PM ET
As international mediation gains traction, corporate adoption remains uneven across sectors and regions. This panel brings together corporate counsel from diverse sectors to discuss how industry dynamics, company culture, and geographic considerations shape the use of mediation in cross-border disputes. Panelists from global media, logistics, and financial institutions will share how they approach mediation within complex international frameworks, from managing cross-border employment and commercial disputes to navigating regulatory and enforcement challenges. The discussion will explore what drives companies to use mediation, where skepticism persists, and what these experiences reveal about confidence in the rule of law and the evolving culture of dispute resolution worldwide.

Moderator: Gilbert K. Squires, P.E., BCS, FCCA, DCIArb, International Arbitrator & Mediator, JAMS – Miami

Speakers:

• Mario Búcaro, Attorney at Law and Diplomat – Guatemala
• Cherine Foty, Senior Associate, Covington (Legal Secondee-Litigation at Meta) – Washington, DC
• Jessenia Vazcones-Yagual, AVP, Head of Private Company D&O Claims, Sompo – New York 

Arming the Future: Disputes at the Intersection of Defense, Technology, and Sovereignty
Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET
A global shift is underway. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO’s rearmament pledges, expanded EU-wide defense initiatives, and a dramatic rise in military and security-related procurement across Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas, countries around the world are sharply increasing defense spending. At the same time, governments are turning to private contractors for the development and deployment of advanced and dual-use technologies—ranging from drones and cybersecurity platforms to space and surveillance systems.

This surge in activity is generating a new class of cross-border disputes—commercial and investor-state alike—where public-private partnerships collide with questions of sovereignty, national security, and political risk. This panel will examine how dispute resolution is adapting to this evolving landscape, including treaty protections for defense-linked investments, the use of national security exceptions, and the procedural challenges of disputes involving classified technologies or state actors. It will also consider the role of key jurisdictions—New York, London, Geneva, and Washington, D.C.—in shaping enforcement, arbitrability, and public order defenses in this sensitive and fast-moving sector.

Moderator: Jeffrey G. Benz, Esq., FCIArb, FCollArb, CEDS, International Arbitrator & Mediator, JAMS – London & Los Angeles

Speakers:

• Efraim Chalamish, Senior Advisor, Israel Practice Leader, Kroll – New York
• Brian J. Egan, Partner, National Security, Skadden – New York
• Linda Lourie, Principal, Washington Circle Advisory Group – Washington, D.C.
• Tom Sullivan, Partner, Marks & Sokolov – Philadelphia