Month: April 2025

Temple Law professor Trang (Mae) Nguyen presents working paper at Georgia Law’s International Law Colloquium

The University of Georgia School of Law’s spring 2025 International Law Colloquium recently hosted Temple Law’s Trang (Mae) Nguyen, who presented her working paper, “Goods’ Nationalities.” Pamela Foohey, Allen Post Professor of Law at Georgia Law, served as Nguyen’s faculty discussant.

Nguyen is an Associate Professor of Law at the Temple University Beasley School of Law and is an Affiliated Scholar at the U.S.-Asia Law Institute at the New York University School of Law. Her research focuses on business law, contracts, transnational law, and international law. Nguyen also previously held research appointments at the University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law, the National University of Singapore Centre for Asian Legal Studies, and the Singapore Management University Yong Pung How School of Law.

Below is an abstract of Nguyen’s working paper:

Products’ nationalities are at the center of today’s fast-changing global order. The Trump administration’s liberal use of tariffs against friends and foes, sanctions against Russian products, the banning of Chinese goods, and efforts to revitalize American manufacturing, to name just a few, all hinge on classifications of where a product is deemed “from.” But in today’s globalized economy, what exactly makes something “American” or “Chinese” or of any other nationality, for that matter?

This Article reexamines how goods acquire their designated nationalities at a time when such designation matters well beyond traditional commerce. It advances two main arguments. First, a product’s nationality is not fixed; rather, it is malleable and can vary depending upon the substantive legal regime under which the good is regulated—once predominantly trade law but now increasingly through a trade-security nexus and a trade-human rights nexus. Second, such malleability occurs through what I call an “attribute selection” process. In effect, each legal regime pivots the nationality analysis on certain “attributes” of a product, swapping and switching them as befit underlying interests and policy goals. The construction of product nationality thus occurs through mapping two separate sets of variables: first, the bundle of attributes of a product, and second, the “prisms” through which laws place significance on these attributes.

This Article makes several contributions. First, descriptively, it charts an updated account on product nationality’s expanded use, particularly in trade law’s nexus with national security and human rights. Second, conceptually, building on this updated descriptive account, it advances a novel framework—the attribute selection process—to unpack the making of product nationality. Third, normatively, it underscores how the need to use product nationality as proxy fits uneasily with the reality of global production, and how efforts to move away from nationality-based rules are likely vulnerable to similar challenges. Ultimately, while the Article makes clear that the concept of nationality is doing heavy lifting across various legal fields, it does not take a strong normative stand, opting instead to explain why taking a strong normative position is premature during fast evolving developments. Finally, the Article offers some practical considerations for policymakers, businesses, and other stakeholders as they consider product-nationality regulations going forward.

This year, Professor Desirée LeClercq is overseeing the colloquium, which is designed to introduce students to features of international economic law through engagement with scholars in the international legal field. To view the full list of International Law Colloquium speakers, visit our website.

This program is made possible through the Kirbo Trust Endowed Faculty Enhancement Fund and the Talmadge Law Faculty Fund.

Georgia Law alumna Tess Davis (J.D. ’09) featured in documentary titled “LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption”

University of Georgia School of Law alumna and Dean Rusk International Law Center Council member Tess Davis (J.D. ’09) was featured in the documentary “LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption,” which highlights the illicit art dealings of Western museums.

Below is a description of the film:

From remote Cambodian villages to elite art institutions in New York, LOOT : A Story of Crime & Redemption is a daring look into the underbelly of the multi-billion-dollar art market and the deadly reality behind ​“blood antiquities” filling Western museums today. During Cambodia’s civil war, British ​“adventurer-scholar” Douglas Latchford led an extensive criminal network, looting centuries-old temples hidden within landmine-filled jungles. The film offers access to key players, including ​“Blue Tiger” a former child soldier turned looter who now fights to return stolen artifacts.

The film tells the gripping story of the contrast of rich and poor as viewers learn about multi-million-dollar sales of works looted by Cambodian farmers paid $20.00 per week while risking their lives. LOOT : A Story of Crime and Redemption also takes viewers behind-the-scenes as stolen pieces are returned to Cambodia, including some arriving from New York’s Met Museum in July 2024. With thousands of pieces still overseas, Cambodia’s relentless struggle continues against the most powerful figures in the art world today.

Tess Davis, a lawyer and archaeologist by training, is Executive Director of the Antiquities Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and protection of art, artifacts, and cultural pieces. She oversees the organization’s work to fight cultural racketeering and also manages the day-to-day operations of the institute’s staff in Washington, DC, as well as programs overseas. Since 2013, Davis has been affiliated with the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, at the University of Glasgow. She came to Scotland from the Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation — a not-for-profit institution based in Washington, DC — where she was Executive Director until 2012. She previously worked for the nongovernmental organization Heritage Watch in Cambodia, first as Project Coordinator, and finally Assistant Director. Her career began at the Archaeological Institute of America.

Over the last decade, Davis has conducted extensive field research on the illicit trade in Cambodian antiquities, as well as legal research on the kingdom’s cultural property law. She also conceptualized and implemented a number of exciting projects in the country, including an exhibition at Angkor Wat about threats facing the temple, a hotline for the public to report archaeological discoveries or looting, and a children’s book entitled “If the Stones Could Speak.” From 2012-2014, she directed a legal internship program in Phnom Penh for international students from the Tulane-Siena Institute, who assist the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts with their legal needs. Davis has been a legal consultant for the Cambodian and US governments and works with both the art world and law enforcement to keep looted antiquities off the market. She writes and speaks widely on these issues — having been published in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, CNN, the Huffington Post, and various scholarly publications — and featured in documentaries.

Georgia Law LL.M. students win 12th International Commercial and Investment Arbitration Moot

Members of the University of Georgia School of Law LL.M. Class of 2025 won the 12th International Commercial & Investment Arbitration Moot Competition hosted by American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. earlier this month. This event was created specifically for LL.M. students to foster the study of international arbitration for the resolution of international business and investment disputes.

Forming the team at the competition were the four students: Danish Ali, Paria Keramatkhah, Samuel Kuo and Fabienne Taller. The team was coached former Dean & Talmadge Chair Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge and current third-year student Gloria M. Correa (LL.M. ’23). 

Georgia Professor Greg Day presents at Japan’s Fair Trade Commission Symposium

University of Georgia Professor Greg Day was recently invited to present “The Evolving Landscape of Dark Patterns in the United States” at Japan’s Fair Trade Commission symposium titled Dark Patterns: The Role of Competition Policy on Deceptive Web Designs. Day’s presentation centered around antitrust, consumer protection laws, and dark patterns.

Below is a description of the symposium:

There are a variety of acts known as “dark patterns,” such as forcing consumers to register as members when browsing or purchasing products, or obscuring important information for consumers. These acts of dark patterns not only disadvantage consumers and other users, but there are also concerns that they may harm fair and free competition between businesses that use dark patterns and those that do not use such means. It is necessary to consider how to address the issue of dark patterns from the perspective of Antimonopoly Act and competition policy.

This symposium will include speeches and a panel discussion regarding current situation of dark patterns, their regulatory trends and future issues in Japan and abroad, and the way competition policy should approach dark patterns.

Day is an Associate Professor of Legal Studies at the Terry College of Business and holds a courtesy appointment in the School of Law. He is also an Affiliated Fellow at Yale Law School’s Information Society Project as well as the University of North Carolina’s Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life. His research has primarily focused on the intersection of competition, technology, innovation, and privacy as well as the disparate impact of anticompetitive conduct.

Halle Foundation grant recipient Pace Cassell (J.D. ’26) reflects on semester-long Global Externship Overseas in Germany

Today, we welcome a guest post by Pace Cassell, a member of the University of Georgia School of Law class of 2026. Cassell is the eighth Georgia Law student to participate in a semester-long international externship and the second recipient of a grant from the Halle Foundation to support her externship in Germany. The semester-long externships overseas initiative is an extension of the Center’s existing Global Externships Overseas and is offered jointly between the Center and the law school’s Clinical and Experiential Program. Cassell’s post describes her experience as a legal extern with Baker Tilly, a global professional services network specializing in advisory, tax, assurance, and legal services. Cassell is based in Hamburg, Germany, where she works under Georgia Law alumnus Dr. Christian Engelhardt (LL.M., ’01). Dr. Engelhardt is the Head of IP/IT Legal at Baker Tilly.

Living in Hamburg

I am going to miss so many things I’ve gotten used to during my time here in Hamburg – living on a cobblestone street, taking the U-Bahn all over the city, grabbing a Franzbrötchen on the way to work, and having everything I could need within walking distance.

Hamburg is located on the Elbe River, which connects the city to the North Sea. The Hamburg port is the largest in Germany and has driven much of Hamburg’s industrial and economic development. Within the city are the Alster Lakes, which are surrounded by walking paths and cafes. The swans on the Alster are protected by law and taken care of by the city; Hamburg legend says as long as there are swans on the lakes, the city will be free and prosperous. Due to these bodies of water, Hamburg has more bridges than any other city in the world, and more canals than Venice and Amsterdam combined.

Navigating a new city where you know no one can be daunting, especially when there is a language barrier. I took German classes from elementary school through college, but classroom learning truly does not compare to being immersed in the language the way I have been in Hamburg. The real-life context and direct association of words to concepts allows for faster understanding and retention and makes the learning process feel more intuitive and natural.

While I am still far from fluent, I’m proud of how far I’ve come with my German in such a short time. As philosopher Tomáš Masaryk put it, “As many languages you know, as many times you are a human being.” Language shapes our perception of reality, and learning how another culture expresses thought has been transformative.

Substantive Work and Comparative Perspective

Baker Tilly is an international law firm and has 698 branches, with eleven in Germany alone. The partner I work under, Dr. Engelhardt, focuses his practice on intellectual property, information technology, and data privacy. During my placement, I’ve been able to undertake research assignments ranging from analyzing European Court of Justice opinions, to investigating U.S. sanctions on foreign companies, and comparing American and European policies on artificial intelligence and data privacy.

Prior this experience, I had a vague interest in the General Data Protection Regulation, but I never considered my personal data important enough to merit much consideration. I felt little concern about the use of this data by large companies. However, understanding the principles of transparency, democratization, and fair competition embodied by the European data privacy regime has shifted my thinking and awakened an interest in a new area of law. Data privacy is much more than an abstract policy issue. The collection of our personal information, who can access it, and how it’s used to influence decisions can have significant implications on daily life – from targeted advertising to employment opportunities and even political influence.

More broadly, gaining a comparative perspective has allowed me to not only learn more about German culture but has also provided greater context for understanding my own. Seeing the practical effects of European and German regulations and policies on everyday life has been invaluable, and I never would have been able to gain this perspective had I not spent my semester here. This exposure has deepened my appreciation for the role legal frameworks play in shaping societal norms, and the value in evaluating the law through a global lens, both in a legal workplace and daily life.

Takeaways from the experience

I’ve always been curious about international law, and how American jurisprudence compares to that of other countries. I would recommend a global externship to anyone who shares this fascination. Outside of what you may learn about a legal system directly through doing legal work, living in another country allows you to experience firsthand the nuances of how its laws interact with society at large. Living in Germany has been a dream come true for me, one I’m sure I will continue reflecting on for years to come.

Georgia Law partners with the Washington International Trade Association to present webinar about careers in international trade 

In March, the University of Georgia School of Law partnered with the Washington International Trade Association (“WITA”) to present a webinar about careers in international trade and law. This webinar was part of WITA Academy’s ongoing Pathways to Opportunity Series: Careers in International Trade & Law, through which law students and undergraduates are able to learn about career opportunities in international trade and law from law firms and trade professionals. This webinar featured alumni/ae from Georgia Law and the university.

The webinar included:

  • Introductions from Diego Añez, Executive Director, WITA Academy; Managing Director, Washington International Trade Association and Kenneth I. Levinson, Chief Executive Officer, Washington International Trade Association
  • A panel discussion featuring:
    • Nancy Fischer, Global Head of Regulatory Practices, International Trade Partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (B.B.A. The University of Georgia; J.D. Syracuse University College of Law)
    • Eric Heath, Senior Attorney Advisor, U.S. International Trade Commission (B.A. Lipscomb University; J.D. University of Georgia School of Law, LL.M. University of Edinburgh Law School)
    • Tina Termei, Director & Associate General Counsel, Amazon | Global Trade, Transportation, Logistics, & Supply Chain (B.A. Emory University; J.D. The University of Georgia School of Law)
  • Panel moderation from: Desirée LeClercq, Assistant Professor, University of Georgia School of Law and Faculty Co-Director, Dean Rusk International Law Center

During the panel discussion, students were able to gain insights from trade law experts, engage with policymakers and legal practitioners, and explore career opportunities in international trade law from government, companies, and law firms. Students gained a unique perspective on the wide-ranging career paths available in the trade law and policy community, creating connections with key players across both the public and private sectors. All attendees received a free one-year membership to WITA.

A recording of the panel is available to WITA members. To join, email: events@wita.org

Georgia Law students Olha Kaliuzhna (J.D. ‘25) and Vladyslav Rudzinskyi (J.D. ‘25) win AtlAS Pre-Moot Invitational

University of Georgia School of Law students Olha “Olia” Kaliuzhna (J.D. ‘25) and Vladyslav “Vlad” Rudzinskyi (J.D. ‘25) won the Atlanta International Arbitration Society Pre-Moot Invitational, which took place in March. Rudzinskyi was also named the competition’s best advocate.

Law schools primarily from the Southeastern United States competed in this “warm up” tournament for the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot to be held in Vienna, Austria, during April.