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The Commercial Law Development Program Assists the Egyptian Customs with Integrity Program Roll Out

Submitted on January 14, 2013 - 10:32am
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On January 9-16, the Commercial Law Development Program and the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Administration held ethics training for Egyptian Customs Authority (ECA) officials in Alexandria, Port Said, and Cairo. The training supports the ECA’s implementation of a comprehensive integrity program, to include the adoption of Ethics rules and guidelines, as well as a plan to engage key stakeholders.  For further information on the program, see the CLDP website: www.cldp.doc.gov

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2012 Annual Office of General Counsel Awards Ceremony

Submitted on January 2, 2013 - 10:13am
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On Thursday, December 6, 2012 General Counsel Kerry presided over the Office of General Counsel Annual Awards Ceremony.  He was joined by Acting Secretary Blank who delivered remarks, thanking the office for their tireless work over the past year.  The Acting Secretary acknowledged the great assistance that the office’s attorneys and support staff have provided to her and the entire Department of Commerce.

General Counsel Kerry detailed the broad range of accomplishments achieved by the OGC office over the past year.  He highlighted the successful litigation of the GPX case and efforts to move legislation through Congress as a result.  He also applauded contributions to various other litigation, legislation, reforms and regulation matters handled over the past year by each office within OGC.

GC Kerry and Deputy General Counsel Geovette Washington presented the Attorney of the Year Awards and the Support Staff of the Year Award.  The 2012 recipients are:

Attorney of the Year – Daniel Calhoun – Office of the Chief Counsel for Import Administration

Daniel was instrumental in insuring that Import Administration can, as a matter of domestic law, implement the WTO disputes on zeroing in a coherent process and has been a central player in disputes regarding antidumping and countervailing duty laws.

Support Staff of the Year – Stephanie Dyer – Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Administration, Ethics Law and Programs Division

Stephanie performed outstanding work in implementing a new financial disclosure report electronic filing system and the new reporting requirements of the STOCK Act, which were enacted earlier in 2012. 

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Nine Office of General Counsel Attorneys Admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court

Submitted on November 14, 2012 - 4:39pm
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On Monday, November 9, 2012 General Counsel Cameron Kerry moved to admit nine attorneys from the Office of the General Counsel to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.  Pictured with General Counsel Kerry are the following (from left to right):  George Kivork, Joseph Bartels, Michelle McClelland, John Broderick, Geovette Washington, Shraddha Upadhyaya, Kathryn Kempton, Michelle Branigan, and Megan Walline.

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OGC CFC Kickoff Kickball Game

Submitted on October 23, 2012 - 9:01am
The Kerry CFC "Cam"-paigners and the Washington Whirlwind after their 3-3 tie kickball game in support of the Combined Federal Campaign

The Department of Commerce Office of the General Counsel kicked off their 2012 Combined Federal Campaign drive by hosting an office-wide CFC Kickoff Kickball game.  Celebrity guest, Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca M. Blank, rolled out the first pitch to start a friendly but spirited competition pitting the Kerry CFC "Cam"-paigners, led by General Counsel Cameron Kerry, against the Washington Whirlwinds, captained by Deputy General Counsel Geovette Washington.  The teams battled to a 3-3 tied.  The real winner was the Combined Federal Campaign as the event raised awareness of the campaign and raised over $350 for the CFC undesignated fund.

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General Counsel Kerry Delivers Remarks at Iraq Finance Conference

Submitted on June 29, 2012 - 10:24am

On June 27, 2012, General Counsel Cameron F. Kerry delivered remarks at the Iraq Finance Conference.  Below is a copy of his remarks.

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application/pdf icongc_kerry_us-iraq_finance_conference_remarks.pdf
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GC Kerry discusses the US approach to privacy at an American Chamber of Commerce event in Italy

Submitted on June 21, 2012 - 10:46am
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Panel at American Chamber of Commerce event in Italy

On June 21, 2012, General Counsel Kerry attended a privacy event in Italy -- Data Protection and Privacy Regulation: What Impact on Businesses and Consumers?

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application/pdf iconThe Evolution in the Approach to Privacy - panel remarks
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General Counsel Kerry Travels to the EU to Discuss US-EU Commercial Data Privacy Efforts

Submitted on June 20, 2012 - 4:05pm
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On June 20, General Counsel Cameron F. Kerry arrived in Rome, Italy for the second leg of his trip to Europe to engage with senior government and private sector officials on consumer data privacy.  As President Obama said in the Administration’s policy blueprint, Consumer Data Privacy in a Networked World: A Framework for Protecting Privacy and Promoting Innovation in the Global Digital Economy (Privacy Blueprint), “[n]ever has privacy been more important than today, in the age of the Internet, the World Wide Web and smart phones.”  The Commerce Department is committed to protecting consumer privacy while encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship, and supporting jobs and growth.

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Commerce Department’s NTIA Announces First Privacy Multistakeholder Process Topic

Submitted on June 18, 2012 - 9:43am
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Friday, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced the first topic for the multistakeholder process called for by the Obama Administration's Consumer Privacy Blueprint.  On July 12th, 2012, NTIA will convene stakeholders to begin developing codes of conduct to provide transparency in how companies providing applications and interactive services for mobile devices handle personal data.  More information about the first multistakeholder process is available at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/headlines/2012/first-privacy-multistakeholder-meeting-july-12-2012, and a blog post from NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling is available at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/blog/2012/putting-consumer-privacy-bill-rights-practice.

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Office of Chief Counsel for Industry and Security Helps BIS Secure $1.75 Million Enforcement Settlement

Submitted on June 7, 2012 - 7:25am
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On May 24, 2012, the Office of Chief Counsel for Industry and Security (OCC/IS) assisted the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in reaching a settlement agreement under which Ericsson de Panama, S.A. agreed to pay $1.75 million to address 262 violations of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).  BIS charged Ericsson de Panama with implementing a scheme to evade the EAR over a multi-year period, with regard to telecommunications equipment owned by the Cuban Government.  The equipment was shipped to Panama, where it was repackaged to conceal its Cuban markings, sent with falsified paperwork to the United States for repair or replacement, and then exported back to Cuba via transshipment through Panama.  The equipment involved is controlled under the EAR for national security, anti-terrorism, encryption, and sanctions reasons.  The settlement also requires an external audit of all 2012 transactions involving items subject to the EAR that are exported or re-exported to Cuban customers by Ericsson de Panama or any of its corporate affiliates. 

This settlement represents the latest in BIS’s enforcement efforts to ensure the integrity of the export control system.  BIS plays an integral part in advancing the nation’s security, foreign policy, and economic interests, and investigations and settlements like this one uphold this vital mission.  OCC/IS represents and supports BIS in all administrative enforcement matters. 

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Commercial Law Development Program Assists Egypt in Revitalizing Its Civil Service and Increasing Transparency

Submitted on May 30, 2012 - 8:58am
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The Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), a component of the Office of the General Counsel, met with the Egyptian Government as part of continuing efforts to help Egypt foster transparency, integrity, and ethical conduct within its ministries. This critical work is part of the larger Administration-wide effort to achieve the objectives set out by the Obama Administration and the G8 under the Deauville Partnership with Arab Countries in Transition.

On May 15, 2012, Assistant General Counsel for Administration Barbara Fredericks, Deputy Chief of the Labor and Employment Law Division John Guenther, and CLDP Chief Counsel Stephen Gardner delivered an anti-corruption presentation focused on addressing government, business, and development issues.  The program was attended by representatives of the Egyptian government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the media, and the general public.  Ms. Fredericks and Mr. Guenther discussed various ways in which Egypt can revitalize its civil service and open the lines of communication between the government and its citizens.  This presentation built on previous CLDP work with the Egyptian Government to create pilot projects with the Egyptian Trademark Office and the Egyptian Customs Authority to review ethics standards and general codes of conduct and to share expertise in best management practices. 

CLDP will continue working closely with the Egyptian Government on these issues as Department of Commerce attorneys provide guidance on draft regulations, deliver training to civil servants throughout the country, and serve as counselors to senior Egyptian officials that are working to create more functional, dependable, and transparent government services.  The work will benefit both Egyptian and U.S. businesses by fostering a level playing field as well as promoting transparency and fair regulations.

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