I leave in 1/2 hour to attend a conference in Salzburg. Ironically, it will be warmer there than here (-10 this am). Will report in. Have never been.

Have a wonderful trip Diane! :)

Sounds like a fun business trip Diane! Lucky you......

Safe travels Diane!

Have a wonderful time, Diane. Can't wait to hear all about your trip. Enjoy!!

t is Sunday, 1/27, about 5 pm. Rainy and blustery.
First things first. The coffee here is extraordinary. It is also 3.5 Euros for a small cup.

Just finished checking into the Schloss Leopoldskron. It is a breathtaking place. As The Sound of Music was filmed here, I will never look askance (?) at that film again. The Schloss is a large palace on the outskirts of Salzburg. It is surrounded by multiple sculptures and, in the spring and summer, many gardens. The palace has a great hall, where we will dine, a lovely library, with internet access, and lots of baroque-styled private meeting/dining rooms. We are staying in a suite in the Schloss itself, which is lovely. Deloitte has just finished having a recruitment weekend here.

I am here for a conference from the Center for International Studies to learn how to teach in Eastern Europe. I will be teaching business law at the Herzen University in St. Petersburg soon.

The conference itself is held in an adjacent newer building, called the Meirhoff. Most people are staying in the Meirhoff. This building is as bright as the palace is dark. There is a new library, with WIFI, which is where I am now. And this building is where one can buy coffee.

I have already met many very nice people. No klinkers so far. About half are here by themselves, with the other half bringing spouses, friends, etc. Especially interesting was my dinner last night with Scott Richardson, a white collar criminal defense attorney from Florida. This is his third time teaching, and he will speak to give us practical ideas. During his first time, in Lithuania, he felt like he was in the cold war. He was given a "shadow" guy who went everywhere with him, and he taught 3 hours/night to 73 students who slept through alot of his presentations because they worked full time during the day. The second time, in Latvia, he was welcomed by everyone, taken around after classes, and peppered with questions from the students. This year he is to go to Pstoc, Russia in October. However, aside from a one word email in Russian, he has heard nothing about his classes or his teaching dates. His emails are ignored. I am very lucky to be in St. Petersburg which, although disorganized, continues to communicate with me.

Tonight is the opening reception and tour. Tomorrow classes begin. I am anxious to meet everyone and get going. As long as I have my coffee.

Diane thanks for checking in - I have been wondering how you are doing. It sounds like you are staying at an amazing place. I hope you are taking pics.

All the best with your classes! :)

Diane, Sounds like a wonderful place for a conference. Looking forward to hearing more and do take pictures. Enjoy your classes!!

WOW Diane....how exciting! It sounds like you're having a good time there and your hotel sounds magnificent. Like you....need that coffee!!!

Thanks for checking in with us!

Wow Diane, that sounds so cool! We spent a week in Vilnius Lithuania in 2003. David was at a conference for university teachers, and there were events at the local teacher's college. What an experience. At the time they were crying for textbooks, and their physical plant was falling apart; I wonder how they are doing now. I remember thinking how great it would be to go and teach somewhere like that!

Keep the reports coming Diane - glad you are enjoying yourself even though coffee is 3.5 Euros, small cup :eek: :eek: :eek:

1/29/08

The skies are blue, the air is clear and the mountains are hulking today. My sister is off making strudel with the spouses. I continue to attend sessions.

Of particular interest has been the presentations by the former justice of the Hungarian Judicial Council. He explaind the Hungarian court sytem, which has up to four appellate levels, some of which can hold a retrial on their own (i.e. not remanding back to the trial court). The courts, even the appellate courts, are divided into civil and criminal sides, so they are relatively specialized. The speaker, who has a wry humor and is not the serious man of his formal picture, is quite the critic of the Hungarian judiciary , while maintaining that it remains independent.

Equally interesting are the discussions of the difference in the US and E. European legal systems, and the effect those differences will have on our teaching methods. In Eastern Europe, for example, a law degree is usually equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, obtained by younger students. At the beginning of their studies, these students pick a tract—private practice, prosecutor, judge (yes, one becomes a judge without practicing). After graduating, each group takes a “baby bar exam”, undergoes training, takes a certification exam, and then gain actual employment.

In addition, E. Europe has no punitive or treble damages, no contingency fees or class actions, and no discovery. A practicing lawyer is looked upon as a family advisor (as opposed to an advocate). So, there is much less litigation here. As the teacher said, “we are not aggressive like you are,; we handle matters like civilized people”.

The most difficult lectures have been those on E. Europe’s history, because it is very difficult to follow the speaker. That is due both to his “accent” and his stream of consciousness” approach. In private, he is very knowledgeable and interesting, even though he likes Putin, but in class he is unfathomable.

Sort of scary were the comments about the dual system of “law” in Russia. Laws are perfect on paper, but the real authority, and the hidden government, is organized crime. The reason, for example, that St. Petersburg is so clean and “safe” is that organized crime wants it that way. A recording artist must pay off the hidden government first, even before he can record his song. If the technical government wants to refurbish a building, if it does not pay the bribe price that the hidden government wants, the building either will not be renovated or it will take 10 years to do so. The general populace can spend up to 20% of their income on bribes. If they do not have the money, they use connections to mitigate their obligations.

Daria, the visiting scholar from my university, confirmed that I should not assign reading because it will not be done, and that the students will at first not “get” interactive lessons. But they will “get” an offer to go to the nearest pub.

I had a two hour window before the dinner session, so I was able to do a little exploring in town. I walked all around the residential neighborhoods,. Since I got really lost, I was able to see many nontourist neighborhoods. I stopped in a chocolate store and the proprietor offered me some absinthe, which was very smooth. I was not so lost as to be scared, and really had fun finding my way back up the mountain to the Schloss. My ipod, Frank Sinatra and me. By the time I returned, I was starving and was ready for supper, wine and some coffee.

After the evening session, a samall group gathered and I spoke at length with a couple from NYC. The husband works for a large firm representing Lloyds and other large insurers. We discussed the Northern Bank failure over here and the effect on that and other banks’ viability of the losses, which greatly exceed available coverage. That led to a fervent discussion of the primaries and odds re who will win the US election.

Diane, Thanks for the update. Sounds like your conference is quite interesting. I am enjoying your info on European law. Thanks again. :hello1:

Professor Coffecup, thanks for the landmail..enjoy your trip...r/wes

WOW what an interesting conference, not to mention upcoming job Diane. Good Luck. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

I would starve as an appellate lawyer in Hungary. The constitutional court, which decides matters akin to its title, does not involve lawyers, briefs, or oral arguments. A petition is presented and the court decides it. There is no stare decisis or defining precedent, and decisions are not published in official publications, but on the internet. The court views lawyer ghostwritten petitions as too indirect and theoretical. All you need to do in a petition is state the specific provision you believe is unconstitutional and list the “reasons why”.

Today I learned not to count on presenting the topic agreed upon by Herzen U (I already knew I was lucky to have had contact with the university). The participant speaker described this morning how, 3 days before he was to depart for Lithuania (the Friday before the Monday), he received an email changing his topic from white collar crime. The students wanted him to teach (in five 2 hour sessions), real estate, banking, contract, intellectual property and international trade. Good thing his son is a first year law student. He scrapped his syllabus and had his son obtain course outlines in all of these subjects. Daria (my Herzen student) told me this might happen., but not to worry.

Daria is very interesting. Looking like a young Jessica Lange (WRS take note), she is at the end of a five year management degree. After that, she is going to Germany for two years for a masters in organizational management. She could have obtained her education in public schools, some of which are difficult to get into, or private schools, which are easy to get into if one pays. The public schools are easier once you get in, and the private schools are notoriously difficult. Her masters degree will be private.

I am starting to break down day by day. At first I could not sleep at night due to the time change. Now I could sleep all the time (I did stay awake for the Florida primary results, which we received at 3 a.m.). I have nose bleeds, maybe because of the mountains. And, since speakers and attendees dine together, it would be inappropriate to ditch a session.

Actually, tonight a group of us are ditching dinner to go to a farmhouse recommended by Carola, who is the Center’s maven and go-to-person. I broached the idea in emails to a few participants before we left, and I’m happy that we will get out of the Schloss for a meal.

Diane, What knowledge you are gaining about international law. Thanks for sharing the info. Enjoy your farmhouse dinner with colleagues. How long is your conference?

Diane I continue to enjoy your land mail. I hope you are able to get some sleep and your nosebleeds aren't too bad! :)

Our November crossing I am sure won't deprive you of sleep (well unless you stay up late in the casino) or cause nosebleeds! ;)

Diane,
This has been fascinating reading. You really are going to have an unforgettable experience now and when you are in St. Petersburg. I envy you since I feel St. Petersburg is the most beautiful city I have ever seen.
Lynn

1/31

Well, don’t think I didn’t hear about yesterday’s Milwaukee weather. Talk about expecting the unexpected!

I am now a true international lawyer, thanks to BCO. I don’t think I found the answer he wanted, but I now know that I can access Westlaw from anywhere. While these other guys were on 11 p.m. (4 p.m. home time) conference calls, I researched prenups.

I forgot to report that my sister and I went to a Mozart concert two nights ago. It is Mozart week here, and concerts are everywhere. This concert was in a major hall whose building is both modern and baroque. The large entry hall’s walls are covered with Munch-like murals. The second hall (equally large), where champagne and appetizers are sold, is more traditional. The comfortable seats are aligned in what feel like pews. The acoustics are impeccable. Pictures are unfortunately not allowed.

I though we were going to see a choral concert. Instead, we saw an opera, which was titled something like “the first part of a story of spiritual conflict”. I have no idea what I saw. I can’t stand opera, but this had no intermission and lasted only 2 hours. I did not buy a program because I did not want to be without money for the rest room attendant and coat check person (you are not allowed to take coats into the hall). I also thought the program would not be in English. I was wrong, and tried to read over the shoulder of the woman in front of me (she was not happy). To the front and right of me was a young man of about Noah’s age, who was as disenchanted with having to be there (and in a suit!) as Noah would have been.

The sight of that young man made me miss my Noah, who I am happy to report has emailed me and confirmed that he would NOT like to receive a Mozart t shirt as a gift.

I also miss my dog. A woman who lives at the Schloss has a big black dog who came and sat on my feet, just like Spunky. I know I will pay for having “abandoned” him; I just hope he doesn’t chew up anything too expensive.

The tales of Lithuania and the Ukraine from Scott Richardson continue to make us laugh and somewhat ease our trepidations. Today he talked about his Lithuanian lodging-- 2 rooms and a bath in a university building. To get out of the building, he had to go to the downstairs apartment, knock on the door, and have a woman there use her key to unlock the outside door. To get in, he knocked on the door or window (I don’t recall which) and the process was repeated. Women were in the downstairs apartment 24 hours/day, two at a time, in shifts of 2 days. One day he asked how to do his laundry, and the woman told him she would do it for him. She charged him the equivalent of $1 US for 5 days’ worth.

I am glad that I sent boxes of books and small gifts to Herzen, because Scott spoke of the how kindly received they were. During his first time out, he had not thought bring gifts for the students. He felt bad when the students gave him gifts and he could not reciprocate. He eventually sent trinkets from the US. I sent books donated by Westlaw, 100 key chains donated by American Family, the circus books donated by Mr. Fox, some Milwaukee t shirts and trinkets from The Dollar Store. The historical society also donated a two-year membership for the school, and sent a certificate which I will frame and give to the dean. (Can you tell I really want to return, having not even arrived yet?)

In Scott’s second post (Ukraine), many (even the faculty) had not seen an American before. One student interrupted his lecture to ask if it was true that Americans “eat with their feet on the table”. Birthdays apparently last all day. On a teacher’s birthday, when Scott arrived at 9 a.m., the birthday girl’s (she was 54) office was festooned with food, chocolates, a huge cake and vodka. Eating and drinking went on all day, although attendance dwindled in the afternoon. The faculty taught there classes, although a few called in sick the next day.

Today we had video conferences with people from Poland and Hungary. Each set had a professor (lecturer to large classes), young teacher (like a teaching assistant, who did not lecture but had the students participate in exercises), and a student. The group from Poland was absolutely fluent, and I learned that many students eventually practice in England. Questions were answered, or not. Both sides enjoyed the interaction.

I am still unclear how freely to express myself when asked questions about my beliefs. Because St. Petersburg is relatively sophisticated, I have been advised to expect questions about the elections, the war, abortion, the Middle East, etc., and especially about democracy. Some have advised answering without qualm, and others suggested circumspection. I expect I will find a middle ground.

Over lunch, we discussed the importance of not appearing as though we have the “answer” or are bringing the “correct” legal system to our schools. It must seem demeaning for a Latvian to hear that our way is perfect or should be engrafted on his system. I think I will be ok on this point, but I am not so sure about a few of my compatriots.

Diane, wonderful email--so full of rich details...thanks so much for taking the time...r/wes

Diane, thanks for these postings. It is all fascinating. My favorite law school course back in the stone ages was comparative law. You're seeing it come to life! You are getting me more and more interested in this program.