Onlinehttps://citba.org/ Powered by: Forest Blog Copyright 2006 Host Forest2026 Andrew P. Vance Memorial Writing Competition Call for Papers0The Customs and International Trade Bar Association (CITBA) and Georgetown Law School are pleased to announce 2026 Andrew P. Vance Memorial Writing Competition. The competition is welcoming papers with an in-depth analysis of a current issue relevant to customs and international trade law. Entrants must be enrolled as of May 2026 in a J.D. or L.L.M. program at any of the nation’s law schools. Papers must be submitted here by October 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Please review the CITBA policy on the use of Generative AI Tools prior to submission. Submissions should be typewritten, double-spaced on 8 ½ x 11-inch paper. The paper shall not exceed 40 pages in length, including footnotes. Papers must include footnotes, not endnotes. Papers should be in 12pt. Times New Roman font and have one-inch margins (right, left, top, and bottom).  Noncompliance with these requirements may affect evaluation or result in disqualification.  Please include the following on the cover sheet of your paper:

  • Full name, address and telephone number
  • Law school and year
  • Date of submission of paper

Do not include any identifying information in the text of the paper itself.

A committee of practicing attorneys and professors with relevant expertise will judge the papers. The following factors will be considered:

  • Legal analysis
  • Thoroughness and depth of topic
  • Evaluation of judicial precedents, statutes, and regulations
  • Writing style
  • Form and quality of citations
  • Conformity with rules of competition

Two prizes will be awarded by CITBA:

  • $1000.00 first prize
  • $500.00 second prize
]]>https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=26https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=26CITBA Staff26202605221631212024 Barbara S. Williams Award winner, announced at Winterfest 20251CITBA’s annual Winterfest kicked off the new year with an engaging panel discussion and a well-deserved recognition of excellence in the trade community. This year’s event tackled pressing trade issues, including the evolving Rapid Response Mechanism, labor rights enforcement, and the increasing scrutiny on goods produced with forced labor. With North America preparing for the 2026 USMCA review, panelists provided key insights into the challenges ahead—set against the backdrop of new political landscapes in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada and ongoing trade tensions.

Following the panel, CITBA proudly presented the Barbara S. Williams Award to Irving Williamson, honoring his lifetime contributions to international trade law. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who embody the dedication, integrity, and leadership exemplified by Ms. Williams throughout her career. Irv’s impact on the trade bar has been profound, and it was a privilege to celebrate his achievements.
   
 

]]>https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=23https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=23CITBA Staff23202502262033322024-2025 Andrew P. Vance Memorial Writing Competition Call for Papers0Papers must be submitted here to Georgetown Law by June 2, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET. For a list of past winners and to see sample papers, please click here for the CITBA website
 
Submissions should be typewritten, double-spaced on 8 ½ x 11-inch paper. The paper shall not exceed 40 pages in length, including footnotes. Papers must include footnotes, not endnotes. Papers should be in 12pt. Times New Roman font and have one-inch margins (right, left, top, and bottom).  Noncompliance with these requirements may affect evaluation or result in disqualification.  Please include the following on the cover sheet of your paper:
  • Full name, address and telephone number
  • Law school and year
  • Date of submission of paper
Do not include any identifying information in the text of the paper itself.

A committee of practicing attorneys and professors with relevant expertise will judge the papers. The following factors will be considered:
  • Legal analysis
  • Thoroughness and depth of topic
  • Evaluation of judicial precedents, statutes, and regulations
  • Writing style
  • Form and quality of citations
  • Conformity with rules of competition
Two prizes will be awarded by CITBA:
  • $1000.00 first prize
  • $500.00 second prize
]]>https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=22https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=22CITBA Staff2220250129154047CITBA Summer Fellowship Awards Announced0
            
             Emily Ming                           Alexandra Sayegh                         Kelly Zhang]]>https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=21https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=21CITBA Staff2120240531155625Congratulations to Judge Jane A. Restani0th anniversary of her service.
 
All members of the Bar of the Court of International Trade benefit from Judge Restani’s legacy.  She is no stranger to judicial leadership, having previously served as Chief Judge from 2003-2010.  Judge Restani also served her country with distinction for many years with the Civil Division of the Department of Justice.
 
Many members of the Bar have had the privilege of arguing before the Judge.  The Bar appreciates her intelligence and wisdom on these matters. A further select few have had the additional benefit of clerking for her. The Bar has benefitted from the contribution her former clerks have made to it, and this too is a credit to Judge Restani’s leadership and commitment to mentorship.
 
For government to function at its best, those who adjudicate the laws and regulations promulgated by the Legislative and Executive Branches must reflect the people for whom our government is intended to serve. That the Honorable Jane A. Restani has served on the bench for 40 years with such distinction is a credit to her and to those that supported her and believed in her. Her service is an inspiration to all who practice law and, in particular, to women lawyers and law students throughout the country.
 
The Bar reiterates its congratulations, wishes the Judge the very best, and extends our unwavering support. 
 
Emily Beline, President
 
Former Presidents:
Michele D. Lynch
Matthew R. Nicely
Kathleen W. Cannon
Lawrence M. Friedman
James R. Cannon, Jr.
Michael S. O’Rourke
Patrick C. Reed
Sandra Liss Friedman
Melvin S. Schwechter
Sidney N. Weiss
Terence P. Stewart
Patrick D. Gill
Brian S. Goldstein
Joseph F. Donohue, Jr.]]>https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=20https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=20CITBA Staff2020231026061458CITBA Summer Fellowship Awards Announced0Fellowship Awards. The Summer Fellowship Awards program is cosponsored by the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee of CITBA and the International Economic Law Interest Group of the American Society of International Law (ASIL). The fellowships provide financial support for law students from underrepresented groups to enable them to acquire summer work experience practicing international trade and economic law with a government agency, court, public interest organization, or international organization. The 2023 winners are Jordan Higgins of Howard University School of Law, Christian Jimenez of UCLA School of Law, and Emily Yan of NYU School of Law.  Higgins will intern with the Department of Justice International Trade Field Office and Jimenez and Yan will both intern with Court of International Trade Judge Timothy Reif.]]>https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=19https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=19CITBA Staff1920230602092319CITBA Board Members’ Letter to White House Regarding Judicial Vacancies at the CIT0Private-Sector CITBA Board Members’ Letter to White House Regarding Judicial Vacancies at the CIT

Click HERE to read the letter.]]>https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=18https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=18CITBA Staff1820230419211140Vance Memorial Writing Competition for Law Students; Submissions Due June 12, 2023 0Vance Memorial Writing Competition for Law Students
Submissions Due June 12, 2023]]>https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=17https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=17CITBA Staff1720230330131557CITBA Semi-Annual Meeting on October 270CITBA Semi-Annual Meeting

October 27

6:00 to 8:00 PM EDT

Mayflower Hotel, Washington, DC

]]>https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=16https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=16CITBA Staff1620221020154341Remarks from New CITBA President Michele Lynch0I am very honored to have been selected to be the President of CITBA and apparently to be the first Government attorney to hold this position. (Given that CITBA began in 1926 - thanks Trivia Night - that is a long time coming.) CITBA is ever evolving and has certainly grown in fundamental ways during the decade or so that I have been a member. That growth, of course, is attributable to the committed work of our volunteer Board members and our membership.]]>https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=15https://citba.org/default.asp?Display=15CITBA Staff1520220720154204