Lawyers and law students from all across the US gathered here in Hanoi today for a great veggie feast at the Tamarind restaurant (conveniently located right across from the Elegance Hotel). It was great seeing everyone excited about Vietnam and being here. We first met with a representative from the Vietnam Lawyers Association 
who brought us gift briefcases, our manual with the translated papers and a gift for everyone. The event starts tomorrow and we head early to the Convention Center. The President of Vietnam comes to address us tomorrow. We will try and tape it and get it up to watch. Banners hang around town welcoming the IADL.Art and Sandy had just gotten back from a boat trip on Halong Bay. Beautiful caves and rock formations and some kayaking too. Marjorie was sharing with some students and others her first trip to China just after Mao died in 1977 with the Lawyers Guild.
Several people had just arrived and more are still coming in. What was most exciting was to hear the wealth of experience as people went around and talked about their work and lives. Michael Sorgen shared his work in the 60's where they actually got a Federal Judge to declare the Vietnam War illegal and tracked his work forward through stop-Loss challenges and other cases.
Law Students shared their experiences in finding the Guild and how inspiring it was to be here. Tiger Beer and Carrot Juice flowed freely. Watch for everyone's blog entries in the coming days.Eric Sirotkin
Ashland, Oregon
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