SPEAKER:

Leigh Ganchan, Haynes & Boone LLP

U.S. Business Immigration Laws: A Challenge to Global Competitiveness

The lack of amendments to a broken immigration system and overemphasis on enforcement are causing US employers to struggle to meet their business objectives. This session identifies the key problem areas for employers and potential legislative and practical solutions.

Ganchan (Slides)

Compete America Letter

WSE Advisory

SPEAKERS:

Dennis Grindinger, Hunt Oil Company;

Michael S. Goldberg, Baker Botts LLP;

James Loftis, Vinson & Elkins LLP (Moderator)

Planning for and Trying the International Dispute: The Yemeni File

Get a first hand perspective on the ins and outs of a recent arbitration involving the Government of Yemen. Learn about the planning, the preparation and the process.

SPEAKERS:

Carlo Romero, Wartsila;

Mark Reiter, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP;

Rachel Giesber Clingman, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, LLP;

Betty Ellsworth Ungerman, Hunt Oil Company (Moderator)

Hot Issues for In-House Counsel: Attorney Client Privilege

The panel will address certain in-house legal and professional duties concerning the protection and risk management of confidential information for multi-national companies. The panel will specifically address identifying and managing risks when handling privileged information, data privacy and intellectual property rights across international jurisdictions.

SPEAKERS:

Eric Bakker, BP Alternative Energy North America Inc.;

Drew Murphy, NRG Energy, Inc.;

Marcelo Mello, Thompson & Knight LLP;

George Humphrey, Andrews Kurth LLP (Moderator)

Earth, Wind and Fire: Renewable Energy is the Future

With a quarter of the world’s people industrializing in China, India and South East Asia, record oil and gas prices and global warming, clean and renewable sources of energy are the future. The panel will discuss these macro trends, the renewable energy technologies that are emerging to meet the world’s demand for energy, such as biofuels, wind power and solar technology, and the legal, financing and hedging structures that are evolving to keep up with the rapid growth and special needs of the industry.

DINNER AND KEY NOTE SPEAKER

Robert Mosbacher Jr., President & CEO, OPIC

Promoting jobs and investment around the world is both sound economic policy and critical to maintaining and improving U.S. relations with its global neighbors.

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (“OPIC”) helps U.S. business with the challenges of foreign investment and provides financing, political risk insurance, and investment funds. OPIC complements the private sector and supports U.S. foreign policy by fostering economic development in new and emerging markets.

SPEAKERS:

Nova J. Daly, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Investment Security, U.S. Department of Treasury;

Christopher R. Wall, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP;

Steven L. Dickerson, ExxonMobil Corporation (Moderator)

Recent “Dubai Ports” Developments: Why CFIUS Matters to You

The panel will explore recent legislation and transaction trends relating to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S.

SPEAKERS:

Raj Mahale, Murtha Cullina;

Indepreet Sawhney, Chugh Law Firm;

Vishal Gandhi, Gandhi & Associates;

Alamdar Hamdani, Hamdani & Simon, LLP (Moderator)

Structuring Private Equity Deals in India

The panel will discuss issues related to the overall private equity market and legal structuring issues regarding private equity and venture financing transactions in India. In addition, the panel will discuss structuring issues for U.S. companies wishing to establish operations abroad, including assistance with organization and operation of foreign subsidiaries, advice on tax, investment incentives and local sources for capital formation, and overall planning of their operations.

KEY NOTE SPEAKER

Blake Hastings, Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank Head of San Antonio Branch

The Credit Crunch – Texas and the Global Economy

As the credit and housing market continue to experience disruption, the regional and national economy’s well-being remain a focal point for policymakers. What are the drivers? What are the regional, national and global implications? And what lies ahead?

SPEAKERS:

Neil Wilcox, JPMorgan Chase;

Lori Helmers, JP Morgan Chase;

Tim Tyler, Mayer Brown, LLP (Moderator)

Mitigating Emerging Market Risks

The panel will address how to mitigate political risk in emerging markets through insurance and investment treaty planning.

SPEAKERS:

Paul Mitchell, Mayer Brown LLP;

Stephanie Anderson, AlixPartners;

Daniel K. Hedges, Porter & Hedges LLP

On the Clock: The First 72 Hours of an International Internal Investigation

As recent events show, the first 72 hours of a government investigation can be critically important as companies face various challenges and issues often with minimal information. The problems are compounded in an international case. This panel will provide a guide to the key issues that should be considered during the initial hours after learning of a government investigation.