55th Congress

Dear Colleagues and Friends,
Fourteen years have already gone by since our Philadelphia congress! It is a pleasure for us to return to the United States in 2011 for our great annual gathering."

It is to Florida – more specifically Miami Beach – that I would like to invite you this time for our 55^th congress.

Some people probably still think that Miami and its satellites are a haven for retirees in search of the sun, that Florida is essentially a holiday spot for one and all and that Miami Beach is a favourite destination for surfers, top models and trendy starlets.

But they are mistaken!

For the last several years, the Miami region has witnessed such remarkable economic vitality that it has been described as a "Manhattanization" process – the construction of sky-scrappers, the establishment of the head offices of major companies, the expansion of the business district, international conferences and all sorts of events.

A real "Doorway to the Americas" thanks to the intensification of trade with the whole of Latin America, Miami today is home to a young, working population.

Just like UIA, Miami is a multicultural and multilingual city. Three official languages are spoken here: English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.

A centre for Art Deco architecture but also contemporary art, with Art Basel Miami Beach, fashion or music, Miami Beach, always effervescent, offers a wonderful ambience to stimulate both our reflections as well as our leisure.

You can stroll along Ocean Drive in the Art Deco district, walk along the famous South Beach or, before or after the congress, discover the flora and fauna that thrive in the Florida climate.

There are countless possible excursions from Miami to the other side of Biscayne Bay – Orlando and its amusement parks, the Gulf of Mexico as well as the famous Keys, the Caribbean Islands nearby and, why not Cuba from where a large, well established community can be found in Miami.

Can there be a destination as dynamic and exciting as this one?

We will address three main themes during the plenary sessions. And as usual, our commissions will also prepare working sessions on all the topical issues in the main fields of competence in law.

Early November is an ideal time to make the most of all that Miami has to offer. I hope to see you there in large numbers!

Pascal MAURER
President of the Union Internationale des Avocats

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the many members of the UIA who practice law in the United States, I am delighted to report to you that the UIA 2011 congress will be held in Miami Beach, Florida.

I invite each one of you to plan now to attend the 2011 congress in Miami Beach.

It has been 14 years since a UIA congress was last held in the United States. Not surprisingly, your many colleagues and friends in the United States look forward to this opportunity to welcome the congress delegates to their country and especially to South Florida.

The principal site for the 2011 congress meetings will be at the architecturally stunning Loews Hotel which is located in the heart of Miami Beach. The hotel is ideally situated so that those attending the congress will be able to walk directly from the hotel onto the broad and spectacular South Beach. Views from many of the hotel rooms look out on to the beach and the Atlantic Ocean.

Miamiis the commercial heart of the State of Florida. More than two million people live in the greater Miami area. Its population is a rich mixture of North American, Latin and Caribbean peoples. Several major corporations and international law firms have their headquarters in Miami. The city is also culturally rich in art, music and sports.

A number of events for those attending the 2011 congress have been planned, including a cocktail near the pool of the Loews hotel, an informal evening in a unique restaurant setting, and the traditionnal closing gala dinner. Other events for congress guests including a sightseeing tour of Miami, a shopping tour in Coconut Grove, Miami’s oldest community, cooking classes and a trip to the Everglades National Park, are planned.

Early November should provide ideal weather for the congress.

I am confident that the UIA’s return to the United States will result in an exciting, stimulating and memorable congress for all who attend.

Please join us in Miami in 2011 to share a great experience.

James C. MOORE
President of the 2011 UIA congress