Human Trafficking and Gender-Based Violence: Domestic and International Legal Frameworks and Strategic Responses (Presented by the Federal Bar Association International Law Section)

Cristina Perozzi, Partner & Attorney | Perozzi Law Firm

Cristina Perozzi is a distinguished international lawyer with nearly three decades of experience in criminal law, human rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations. As the head of Perozzi Law Firm she specializes in international and national criminal law, humanitarian law, and advocacy for victims of violence.

Attorney Perozzi is a recognized expert in humanitarian law, serving as a legal advisor for international missions with the Italian Red Cross, NATO, and the United Nations. She has been a lecturer and trainer in international law for military and civilian institutions worldwide.

A member of prestigious organizations such as the International Criminal Court Bar Association, and the European Criminal Bar Association, Attorney Perozzi continues to shape international justice through her advocacy, teaching, and groundbreaking legal work. A dedicated anti-mafia advocate, Cristina has served as a focal point for LIBERA, an Italian association combating organized crime, and has contributed to legal and policy initiatives addressing systemic violence and corruption. Her extensive experience also includes working with survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence, securing justice for the most vulnerable.

Maricarmen Garza, Chief Counsel | Commission on Domestic and
Sexual Violence, American Bar Association

Maricarmen Garza is the Chief Counsel of the Commission, responsible for policy, program, and financial management. In that role, she serves as an expert resource on gender-based violence and the law to ABA leadership and staff, attorneys, judges, legislators, the media, and others; manages program activities and budgets; serves as liaison and staff to Commission members; and coordinates national policy initiatives

Prior to joining the ABA CDSV as Chief Counsel, Maricarmen served as Chief of Programs for the Tahirih Justice Center, the only national, multi-city organization providing a broad range of direct legal services, policy advocacy, and training and education to protect immigrant women and girls fleeing gender-based violence.

Prior to Tahirih, Maricarmen worked with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA). As a TRLA attorney Maricarmen, focused her legal practice on assisting survivors of gender-based violence with complex family law and victim privacy matters. Maricarmen initiated and managed one of TRLA’s most successful and longstanding projects, the Legal Alliance for Survivors of Abuse (LASA), a unique collaboration between TRLA and domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers in the 68 Texas counties served by TRLA. Through the LASA Project partnership, Maricarmen ensured that victims received holistic, traumainformed, and victim centered legal and social services critical to breaking the cycle of violence. Maricarmen also managed TRLA’s Victim Rights Group, which included the Legal Aid for Survivors of Sexual Assault team and the Survivor Centered Economic Advocacy team, providing direction, mentorship, and supervision.

Nagwa Ibrahim, Director of Legal Services | Coalition to Abolish
Slavery and Trafficking

Nagwa Ibrahim is the Legal Director at the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Cast) where she leads a team of attorneys providing direct legal services to the largest number of survivors of human trafficking in the United States as well as training and technical assistance on human trafficking cases nationwide. She also leads a team of lived experience experts and trainers providing trainings for audiences nationwide on human trafficking of youth. Prior to joining Cast, Nagwa was in private practice for 10 years with a focus on immigration law and criminal defense. Additionally, she has worked as a civil and human rights attorney, where she handled Guantanamo cases and other prisoner rights cases. Nagwa graduated from University of California Los Angeles, School of Law with a specialization in Critical Race Studies.

Judith Wood, Attorney | Human Rights Project

Judith Wood has defended the rights of asylum seekers since graduating from Pepperdine University School of Law, and has had her own law firm since 1984. She has won numerous appeals at the administrative and federal level, and is admitted to practice before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth and Tenth Circuits, as well as the Supreme Court. She is the immediate past chair of the FBA’s International Law Section and chairs the section’s International Human Rights Law Committee. She is a frequent speaker for the FBA, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association, the Asian-Pacific Law Center, and several other groups. A film entitled “St. Judy” was made about her advocacy on behalf of women refugees in 2018.

Federica Dell’Orto, Attorney, Principal | Dell’Orto Law Firm, & International Law Expert

Federica Dell’Orto is a New York-based attorney specializing in international, immigration and human rights law. She is the founder and principal of Dell’Orto Law Firm and represents clients in proceedings before a range of judicial bodies, including the Board of Immigration Appeals and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Originally from Italy, Ms. Dell’Orto earned her JD from the University of Milan with a concentration in EU and international law. She completed her LL.M. in Public International Law in Los Angeles and is licensed to practice in California. She is also admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Ms. Dell’Orto served as Chair of the International Law Section of the Federal Bar Association and represents the Federal Bar Association at the United Nations through its consultative status. In addition, she has authored numerous articles in legal journals addressing developments in international, human rights, and immigration law. A TEDx speaker, she continues to advocate for the advancement of legal frameworks that protect civil and constitutional rights.

I. Legal Frameworks and International Perspectives: Presented by Cristina Perozzi: Analyzing European legislation on trafficking and gender-based violence, implementation in Italy, and insights from cases before the International Criminal Court | 2:00pm – 2:15pm

II. Trauma-Informed Practices in Legal Advocacy: Presented by Maricarmen Garza: Exploring how trauma-informed approaches can enhance legal representation and advocacy for survivors | 2:15pm – 2:25pm

III. Immigration Reliefs for Trafficking Survivors: Presented by Judith Wood: Examining available immigration relief mechanisms, including landmark cases that have influenced U.S. asylum law | 2:25pm – 2:35pm

IV. Survivor-Centered Advocacy and Policy Impacts: Presented by Nagwa Ibrahim: Discussing innovative strategies in survivor-centered advocacy and the broader policy implications of anti-trafficking efforts | 2:35pm – 2:45pm

V. Panel Discussion and Practical Case Studies: Moderated discussion among panelists on practical applications and lessons learned from their work | 2:45pm – 2:55pm

VI. Q&A: Open floor for attendee questions | 2:55pm – 3:00pm