Texas A&M University School of Law professor, William Byrnes, is the only United States academic scholar selected by the scientific committee of International Congress to present at the “International Tax Cooperation” Congress 2019: Digital Economy, Transfer Pricing and Litigation in Tax Matters held this week in Barcelona, Spain. Byrnes will present to tax administrators and academics from over 50 countries. 

Professor Peter K. Yu of Texas A&M University School of Law delivered a plenary address at the 9th Asia-Pacific Innovation Conference (APIC) at the Delhi School of Economics in New Delhi, India. Launched at the University of Melbourne and rotating around the Asia-Pacific region, this annual event is one of the premier conferences on innovation in the region. This event was organized by Professor Sunil Kanwar of the Delhi School of Economics. 

Current Texas A&M University School of Law students enrolled in the Immigrant Rights Clinic won an appeal to reopen the case of a client from Somalia who fears being tortured there by Al-Shabaab and the government as a Christianity convert. The case was reopened based on the condition changes in Somalia.  

TAMU Law students, Miranda Leach, Ruth Correa and Caitlin Revanna, were enrolled in the clinic's courses last spring and prepared the motion to reopen the case. This fall, Clarissa Dauphin, Denise Rosales and Wesley Salazar prepared a habeas petition and complaint for the same client.

TAMU Law's senior lecturer and director of the low income tax clinic, Bob Probasco, is the principal drafter for comments submitted to the U.S. Tax Court by the Tax Section of the State Bar. He and current law clinic students are advocating for change to the Tax Court’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, to provide for entries of limited appearance by pro bono volunteers. Probasco says this change would allow clinics to provide even more help to taxpayers.

The ABA (American Bar Association) Section of Taxation: Pro Bono and Tax Clinics Committee submitted similar comments in October. The State Bar Tax Section agrees with the TAMU Law clinic’s goal but, wrote separately, to suggest an alternative process that might be more effective. Probasco says the Court has already begun looking at the issue and hopefully will benefit from the law clinic’s input.

Texas A&M University School of Law's new Agriculture Law Society presented its research findings to Mark McPherson, a lawyer working on behalf of the Sandbranch community, as part of the members’ pro bono efforts. 

The 40-page local, state and federal research project, which covers issues associated with produce, egg production and distribution, was compiled by four teams of law students with faculty supervision. The document will be used in discussions with local, state and federal government authorities on important matters, including agriculture. 

Gabriel Eckstein, professor of law at Texas A&M University School of Law and director of the Natural Resources Systems Program, has been elected president of the International Water Resources Association (IWRA).

The Association is an international, professional organization focused on improving and expanding the understanding of water issues through education, research and information exchange among countries and across disciplines.

“This is really a wonderful honor,” said Eckstein. “IWRA is one of the most respected, water-focused organizations globally, and I look forward to building on the association’s excellent policy work, which seeks to ensure sustainable water resources for people and the environment.”

Texas A&M University School of Law anticipates the arrival of Joseph William Singer of Harvard School of Law in mid-February. He was selected as one of Texas A&M University’s Distinguished Lecturers of the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study.

The Hagler Institute for Advanced Study recognizes world-class educators who are acclaimed in their areas of study. According to the Hagler Institute’s website, its goal is to provide a stellar environment for research and scholarship with the Faculty Fellows, having freedom to pursue their own research interests.

Texas A&M University School of Law received the Tarrant County Adoption Day proclamation for its unceasing support 

of National Adoption Day.

Tarrant County’s Adoption Day is an annual event, established eight years ago. The event brings families together with the help of volunteers, including 12 Texas A&M University School of Law students who worked closely with licensed attorneys to complete the adoption process.

Texas A&M University School of Law Professor Felix Mormann spoke at the celebration of Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) @ 40: Renewable Energy Law and Policy in the United States. The conference was hosted by the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law.