32 lawyers from 19 countries convene to study U.S. law, sharpen cross-border skills, and build international networks
The Southwestern Institute for International and Comparative Law (SWIICL), an institute of The Center for American and International Law (CAIL), has launched the 61st Academy of American and International Law (the Academy) at CAIL’s education center in Plano. This multi-week legal program has drawn 32 participants from 19 countries across the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
Photo: The 61st Academy of American and International Law
The Academy provides non-U.S. resident lawyers, judicial officials, and legal professionals with intensive training in practical legal skills and substantive areas of law, including legal writing, negotiations, international arbitration, litigation, business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, international taxation, intellectual property, cybersecurity, and more.
This year’s participants represent a range of global institutions, including international law firms such as Gianni & Origoni, Legance – Avvocati Associati, CMS Hasche Sigle, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo, TozziniFreire Advogados, and Guerrero Olivos, among others. The group also includes attorneys from multinational corporations such as Colgate-Palmolive Europe SARL and Sojitz Machinery, as well as academics from Istanbul University’s Faculty of Law.
“For 61 years, the Academy has united exceptional legal minds from across the globe,” said Jay Ray, Director of SWIICL. “This year’s group carries on that proud legacy—deepening their understanding of the U.S. legal system and forging the cross-border connections that strengthen international legal practice worldwide.”
This year marks the second year that a scholarship has been awarded from the Mark Smith Academy Scholarship fund. The 2025 recipient is Ahmet Tokat, a legal professional from Türkiye and faculty member at Istanbul University’s Faculty of Law. The scholarship, made possible by an endowment fund launched in 2024, honors former CAIL president Mark Smith’s dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, ensuring that talented individuals from all backgrounds can access the Academy’s transformative opportunities. This year, the program was further enriched by a special luncheon visit from Mark Smith himself, who had the opportunity to meet Tokat in person.
Five participants in this year’s Academy were also named Vester Hughes Fellows: Lourdes Arguello (Honduras), Youyou Chen (China), Marcelo Nicolás Fernández Alsina (Argentina), Teodora Peycheva (Bulgaria), and Carolina Reinoso (Ecuador). All five received full or partial scholarships to attend the program. The Vester Hughes Fellows Fund was established in 2021 to honor the late Vester T. Hughes Jr., a distinguished attorney, dedicated supporter, and former CAIL trustee, by supporting educational opportunities for international legal professionals. The Fellowships have paved the way for numerous legal professionals worldwide to enhance their knowledge and skills through their participation in the Academy and their commitment to the rule of law.
For ongoing updates and highlights from the 61st Academy, follow SWIICL on LinkedIn.
###
About the Southwestern Institute for International and Comparative Law - The Southwestern Institute for International and Comparative Law (SWIICL) was founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1963 as a division of The Center for American and International Law, an international nonprofit educational institution for lawyers, judges, and law enforcement professionals. Since 1963, SWIICL has offered annual programs focusing on international business transactions and private investments worldwide while developing professional relationships among distinguished lawyers, business leaders, and government officials worldwide. SWIICL's premier annual event is the Academy of American and International Law.
CAIL/SWIICL Media Contact
Karla Lárraga, Communications Officer
(972) 244-3436 | klarraga@cailaw.org