Southwestern Institute for International and Comparative Law

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Plano, TX
Southwestern Institute for International and Comparative Law

Provides legal education and professional development opportunities to legal professionals from arou

The Southwestern Institute for International and Comparative Law (SWIICL) is a division of The Center for American and International Law, which was founded in Dallas, TX in 1947. Since 1963, SWIICL has offered annual programs focusing on international business transactions and private investments worldwide while aiding in the development of professional relationships among distinguished legal prof

essionals from around the world. A member organization focused on providing education and relationship opportunities, SWIICL's premier annual event is the Academy of American and International Law. Since 1963, this multi-week program has attracted more than 3,300 participants from 120 countries. Past participants in the Academy have gone on to serve as President of the General Assembly of The United Nations, as Prime Minister of Peru, on national supreme courts, as ministers of justice and attorney generals, as general counsel to major corporations, and as manager partners in major law firms.

06/16/2026

The 61st Academy is almost over — and what a session it's been. 🌍⚖️

Five weeks ago, 32 lawyers from 19 countries arrived in Plano, Texas, for an intensive program unlike any other. They studied U.S. law, sharpened their cross-border skills, argued cases, negotiated deals, and taught each other about space law, international arbitration, bankruptcy, investment, and so much more.

This week, they wrap up their final days of class — and on Friday, they graduate.

Stay tuned — we're not done sharing this story yet. 📸

Learn more about this year's group: https://pulse.ly/t3njrj8yhi

06/11/2026

Knowledge sharing in action at the 61st Academy! 🌍

Today, our talented participants took the stage to teach their peers about legal systems and developments from around the world:

🇨🇳 Youyou Chen — Two-Way Investment with China
🇯🇵🇮🇹 Ken Tateuchi & Martina Menga — Introduction to Space Law
🇹🇷 Ahmet Tokat — International Arbitration in Turkey
🇨🇱 Macarena Griffin — Chilean Legal Update
🇵🇹 Rita Espírito Santo Garcia — U.S. Chapter 11 vs. Portuguese CIRE
🇭🇳 Lourdes Argüello — Honduras Legal Update

This kind of peer-to-peer exchange is what makes the Academy experience so special — participants don’t just learn from our distinguished faculty, they learn from each other’s expertise and perspectives too.

05/15/2026

Safe travels to our Academy participants as they make their way to Plano, Texas!

We look forward to welcoming a remarkable group of legal professionals to the Academy of American and International Law. Over the coming weeks, they will engage in substantive study, professional exchange, and cultural exploration—experiences that have shaped Academy alumni for more than sixty years.

We are honored to host this year’s cohort and look forward to sharing their journey with our global community.

05/13/2026

Discussion and exchange are central to the Academy experience. Asking questions, sharing perspectives, and taking time to appreciate the moment can make these weeks especially meaningful.

Swipe for two final tips.

If you’re an Academy alum: what advice would you give someone attending for the first time?

05/11/2026

One week until the Academy begins!

Very soon, attorneys, judges, and legal professionals representing countries around the world will take their seats at CAIL to begin an immersive academic and cultural experience.

Over the next five weeks, this cohort will engage with distinguished faculty, explore complex areas of U.S. law, and build relationships that extend far beyond the classroom.

We are excited to welcome this year’s participants and invite our community to follow along throughout the program.

05/07/2026

The Academy brings together participants from many legal systems and cultures. The more you branch out and stay open to different perspectives, the more you’ll gain from the conversations and exchanges that happen throughout the program.

Swipe for two more tips to help you make the most of your time.

Academy alumni: What perspective or conversation at the Academy changed the way you think about the law?

05/04/2026

Two weeks until the Academy convenes.

Final preparations are underway as we look forward to welcoming legal professionals from across the globe to Plano, Texas. Faculty are refining materials, classrooms are being readied, and participants are finalizing travel plans.

In just fourteen days, this international cohort will begin five weeks of rigorous study, cross-border dialogue, and meaningful professional exchange.

Stay connected as we share highlights from the Academy experience!

04/28/2026

Some of the most memorable moments at the Academy happen when you step outside your routine—trying something new, joining conversations after class, or spending time with fellow participants beyond the lecture hall.

Swipe for two more ways to get the most out of your time at the Academy.

Alumni: What experience outside the classroom ended up being most memorable for you?

04/21/2026

One of the most valuable parts of the Academy is the network you build while you’re here. Participants come from legal systems all over the world, and the connections you make early on can shape your entire experience—and often last well beyond the program itself.

Swipe for two tips on how to start making the most of your time at the Academy.

Academy alumni: What’s one connection you made at the Academy that stayed with you?

04/15/2026

The Academy extends beyond the classroom.

Through curated cultural experiences—such as visits to Fort Worth—participants gain a deeper appreciation of Texas heritage and the broader American experience. These moments foster connections that are just as meaningful outside the lecture hall as within it.

For many alumni, these experiences remain among the most memorable aspects of the program.

To our Academy alumni: What stands out from your visit to Fort Worth?

We invite you to share your memories with us.

Address

5201 Democracy Drive
Plano, TX
75024

Telephone

+19722443400

Website

https://www.cailaw.org/Southwestern-Institute-for-International-and-Comparative-Law/Events/2022/academy.html

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