[INTERESTS]
International Law and International Relations
I am interested in understanding the law, practice, formation and enforcement of treaties and international agreements, and the role that this plays within the overall context of international relations, law and politics. Including, how this contributes to international cooperation, coordination and the resolution of conflicts and other disputes. Also, I find the roles of the US Congress, the Judiciary and the Executive branches – and the interplay between them vis-à-vis foreign affairs and foreign relations to be significant in terms of comprehending the US’s participation within this broader context.
International Migration
Another area of special importance for me is the law and policy of international migration. I am hoping to continue working on better understanding the legal and normative framework of international migration; especially to identify and work to find solutions for the gaps that exist within the current international system. I see the study of comparative immigration policies as another key aspect of this. Overall, I believe that a comprehensive global system is required: one that is ethical, consistent and which includes functioning safeguards and provides protection and durable solutions for the most vulnerable migrants, refugees and the internally displaced.
National Security and Counter-terrorism Law and Policy
I am also particularly interested in the emerging nexus between national security, counterterrorism and international law. I am hopeful to see (and plan on researching) whether a functional international legal framework can develop, which would facilitate enhanced cooperation and coordination between sovereign states in order to combat terrorism and enhance national security. I’m also concerned with how the individual civil and human rights of persons around the globe can be protected in the midst of governmental efforts to protect entire populations from terrorism and other national security threats. In regard to US law and policy, I am especially interested in the role that FISA plays, including its procedures regarding surveillance, and the performance and operation of the FISC and FISCR.
Environmental Law and Policy
Most recently, thanks to my work with GVC/UC Merced, I had the opportunity to begin to understand and work on mapping out the legal, policy and regulatory framework for environmental protection in California. I’ve also been reading and listening quite a bit to try and get up to speed on California’s land use and planning policies and debates. Additionally, I have a general interest in federal environmental law and policy, and multilateral treaties and international cooperation for environmental protection.
[RECENT CONFERENCES/TALKS]
6th Annual California Climate Change Research Symposium
8-10 September 2009 – Sacramento, California
6th Annual Immigration Law and Policy Conference – Georgetown Law/Migration Policy Institute
24 June 2009 – Washington DC
20/20 Foresight: A View of the Great Valley in a Decade – Great Valley Center Annual Conference 2009
6-7 May 2008 – Sacramento, California
California’s Global Warming Solutions Act (AB32) & Local Government Impacts
28 April 2009 – Merced, California
International Law as Law – American Society of International Law 103rd Annual Meeting
25-28 March 2009 – Washington DC
Land Use in Northern California: Overcoming regulatory and economic challenges
19-20 March 2009 – San Francisco, California
Local Government Assistance to Reduce GHG Emissions – California Air and Resources Board
9 March 2009 – California EPA, Sacramento, California
International Law Weekend-West – International Law Association, American Branch
6-7 March 2009 – Willamette University College of Law, Salem, Oregon
The Mitigating Issues of Ag Land Preservation in the Valley – Central Valley Land Trust Council
27 February 2009 – Modesto, California
AB32 Workshop Series: Scoping Plan Implementation – California Air and Resources Board
29 January 2009 – California EPA, Sacramento, California
San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Planning Process – Summit 2009
26 January 2009 – Fresno, California
California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley: Annual Summit 2008
11 December, 2008 – Stockton, California
Emerging Issues in Climate Policy – Public Policy Institute of California
2 December 2008 – Sacramento, California
Making Government Work for California’s Regions – New America Foundation
19 November 2008 – San Francisco, California
California’s Global Warming Solutions Act (AB32) & Local Government Impacts
18 November 2008 – Stockton, California
Building Forward: Creating a Sustainable California and Fighting Global Warming with SB 375
13 November 2008 – San Francisco, California
Mapping Our Future: Great Valley Center’s Sacramento Valley Forum
23 October 2008 – Chico, California
International Criminal Justice: Does it Work? – American Society of International Law
3 October 2008 – UCLA School of Law, Los Angeles, California
Clean Technology and the Green Economy – California Economic Strategy Panel (CA Labor Agency)
18 September 2008 – Fresno, California
Green Momentum: Great Valley Center Annual Conference 2008
7-8 May 2008 – Sacramento, California
Eco-city World Summit 2008
23-26 April 2008 – San Francisco, California
California and the Future of Environmental Law and Policy
10-11 April 2008 – UC Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, Berkeley, California
Green California Summit
7-9 April 2008 – Sacramento, California
Central Valley Facilities Expo
12-13 March 2008 – Modesto, California
California Bar Section Education Institute (Environmental)
18-20 January 2008 – San Diego, California
San Joaquin Valley Housing Symposium
10 January 2008 – Fresno, California
SJVCEO/Sierra Club: San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy & Fuels Conference
3 December 2007 – Fresno, California
greenXchange Global Marketplace Conference
10-11 December 2007 – Los Angeles, California
CSAC Annual Conference
13-16 November 2007 – Oakland, California
Building the Cleantech Crossroads
15 November 2007 – San Francisco, California
California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley: Annual Summit 2007
4 October, 2007 – Visalia, California
