Updates from the CWAG Alliance Partnership
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Binational Attorneys General Exchange
15 US and Mexico Attorneys General Collaborate Against Transnational Crime

The 2017 CWAG Alliance Partnership Binational State Attorneys General Exchange was celebrated in Tampa, Florida, on September 28th. Attorneys General and top staff from 28 US and Mexican states gathered to discuss issues surrounding cyber security, human trafficking, and technology supporting law enforcement. A rich discussion between the US and Mexican Attorneys General, and private sector partners allowed for direct connections on real-time issues that the Mexican AGO's are experiencing in maneuvering cases that involve the use of social media. Additionally, the Attorneys General were able to update one another on current projects to combat Human Trafficking, in particular, that have developed over the years as a part of the US-Mexico AG Binational Exchange Partnership. A pilot project utilizing facial recognition technology to help protect state constituents, which was recently rolled out in the New Mexico AGO, will be the subject of a similar pilot program in the state of Guanajuato in November.
CWAG Alliance Partnership 2017-2018 Leadership Announced
Sean Reyes

We are proud to announce Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes will serve as the 2017-2018 Alliance Partnership Chair, with DC Attorney General Karl Racine and Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden serving as co-chairs this year. We thank these three for their leadership and commitment to expanding CWAG's international footprint while providing rule of law support to their counterparts all across the world.
Lawrence Wasden
In 2008, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden started a journey that the AGs never could have imagined to be so successful. General Wasden went to Mexico, met with his counterpart state Attorneys General, learned about their struggles, and vowed to commit to a change. The CWAG Alliance Partnership was born. General Wasden's leadership over the past 10 years has enabled him to lead dozens of delegations of attorneys general to collaborate with their partners in Mexico, El Salvador and Cuba. International collaborations are continuously resulting in tangible results to keep our citizens safe in the midst of the international crisis that is transnational organized crime.
Karl Racine

General Wasden's leadership has inspired Attorneys General from across the country to become partners in the Alliance Partnership efforts. Most recently, Generals Karl Racine and Sean Reyes have taken a similar leadership role in launching the CWAG Africa Alliance Partnership, where, in the short time that the program has been in existence, they have personally traveled to instruct law students and law enforcement in Africa, and helped to launch this new chapter of CWAG's international efforts.

Interdiscplinary Exchanges
Salt Lake City, Utah


From August 21-25, the Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG) Alliance Partnership held an Interdisciplinary Exchange in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the objective of exploring the role of each branch of the investigative trilogy in preparing and prosecuting a criminal case. The Interdisciplinary Exchange in Salt Lake City brought together 16 participants from the Aguascalientes, Colima, Oaxaca, Sinaloa and Tamaulipas Attorneys Generals' Offices.


Monterrey, Nuevo Leon
In a second Interdisciplinary Exchange, 37 operators from the Nuevo Leon Attorneys General's Office carried out practical exercises to explore the importance of working as a team to prepare and prosecute a criminal case, from investigation through oral trial, through streamed lectures live via videoconference, with 4 experienced instructors from the US.

Virtual Conferences
Objections

On August 10, 2017, the Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG) Alliance Partnership streamed a Virtual Seminar live from the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office in Providence. 596 unique viewers from Mexico's legal community tuned in to the broadcast, which continues to be available online at www.livestream.com/cwagchannel/objeciones. After an introduction by Attorney General Peter Kilmartin, an experienced team of prosecutors led by the Chief of the Criminal Division Stacey Veroni, discussed the Theory, Strategy and Practical Aspects of Using Objections in Oral Trials.
Foreign Prosecutions

On September 6, 2017, the Colorado Attorney General's Foreign Prosecutions Unit delivered a CWAG Alliance Partnership videoconference, streamed live via internet, discussing various mechanisms for international cooperation on legal cases, including prosecutions under Article IV of the Mexican Federal Penal Code. More than 200 unique viewers watched the presentation, and the recorded broadcast continues to be available at www.livestream.com/cwagchannel/ArtIV.
Previously broadcast seminars available (in Spanish) online:














Instructor Spotlight
Terry Jennings Honored for Rule of Law Work by United Nations

Teresa Jennings, Head of Rule of Law Development at LexisNexis Legal & Professional has been named one of 10 SDG Pioneers by the United Nations Global Compact. SDG Pioneers are individuals from around the world who champion sustainability through their companies and mobilize the broader business community to act in pursuit of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Teresa has been a strong supporter of CWAG's Rule of Law programs. "Each of the 2017 SDG Pioneers is exhibiting how companies and pioneering individuals can be a force for positive change in addressing the issues we all face today," said Lise Kingo, UN Global Compact CEO and Executive Director. "Ms. Jennings has been impactful in promoting peace, justice and strong institutions in the corporate world." Ms. Jennings supports the LexisNexis corporate mission to advance the rule of law around the world. In the U.S., she worked with the Uniform Law Commission on a Model Act for the prevention of and remedies for human trafficking. Upon the enactment of the Model Act, Ms. Jennings analyzed the underlying elements of existing anti-human trafficking laws across all states and compared them to the Model Act. She briefed 20 state Attorneys General on the protections available under their state's existing laws, and where each state's laws could be enhanced. Since that time, nine states have adopted the Model Act in full, and many more states have enhanced their anti-human trafficking laws generally.
Advancing Mexico's New System of Criminal Justice in Law Schools
Arizona AG Brnovich Addresses Mexican Law Schools

CWAG Chair Mark Brnovich, Attorney General of Arizona, addressed professors and administrators from Mexican law schools on August 31 in Phoenix, highlighting how the CWAG Alliance Partnership has supported the constitutional criminal justice systems reforms in Mexico for more than 10 years.
The 5th National Oral Litigation Competition Launches in Mexico

Law schools around Mexico are forming teams of law school students and coaches to compete in the 5th National Oral Litigation Competition, organized by ABA-ROLI México. Participants 'learn by doing' and emerge from the competitions as some of the best-equipped operators of the New System of Criminal Justice in Mexico. Sign-ups begin October 30th, see more information on Facebook at NvosAbogadosMX.
CWAG Alliance Partnership Programs
CWAG Alliance Partnership Programs

The CWAG Alliance Partnership facilitates collaboration between U.S. and Mexican state Attorneys General's Offices. Available services include:
  • Contacts Database
    • Comprehensive, sortable contact information for people involved with AP trainings, meetings and events
    • Quick-Response Liaison
      • Direct contacts within the U.S. and Mexican state Attorneys Generals' Offices for help on specific cases
    • Case Consulting
      • Help with case preparation, from investigation to presentation in court, by a U.S. criminal prosecutor experienced in oral trials
    • Office Reviews/Efficiency Audits
      • A team of experts observes and advises on processes and procedures, to help address a specific issue or give a general perspective
    • Best Practices Consulting
      • Experienced professionals share hard-earned knowledge about issues in administration of justice
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Contacts
For all information and requests, please contact:
Susan Lustig
Administrative Director
Cell: +1 (805) 264 4277

~ or ~

Lauren Niehaus
Deputy Director
Cell: +1 (303) 827 9039

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This material was funded by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the author[s] and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.

The CWAG Alliance Partnership promotes the Rule of Law in Mexico, offering a forum for strengthening relationships between U.S. and Mexican State Attorneys General. It supports implementation of an oral adversarial criminal justice system by offering opportunities for collaboration and cooperation between both countries.
 
Karen White, Executive Director
Conference of Western Attorneys General Alliance Partnership
916-210-7643
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