George "Rocky" Harper, president of the Inter-American Bar Association and partner of Harper Meyer.
George "Rocky" Harper, the new president of the Inter-American Bar Association, promises to keep a high profile.
BY CHRONICLE STAFF
Harper Meyer partner George "Rocky" Harper is the first American president of the Inter-American Bar Association (IABA) since 1997. However, he's not your typical American. He was born in Cuba to an American father and thus knows firsthand the dictatorship there.
That background will prove useful as Harper takes the helm of the Bar just as Cuba is gaining more attention, while Latin America's democracies are once again under siege from human rights violations in countries like Venezuela, Nicaragua, Ecuador and Bolivia.
MORE HUMAN RIGHTS FOCUS
The Bar, which already has been active in denouncing abuses in Latin America, will likely become even more vocal in its work for the rule of law in the region with Harper as president.
“One of the areas [the IABA will focus] more on is human rights,” he says.
The IABA, which was founded in 1940, serves as a forum for the exchange of professional views and information for lawyers practicing in the Americas.
BUSY SCHEDULE
Harper sees his new role as a “privilege and honor,” although it likely means extending his six-day workweek an additional day. To get the necessary energy, Harper typically gets up at dawn and swims for an hour before getting into his downtown Miami office by 7.30 AM for a 12-hour workday.
That is when he’s not on the road. “I try to be on the road every other week,” he said before assuming his latest role this week. When he’s not working, he likes to relax in the mountains of northern Georgia.
Harper received his B.S. from the Georgia Institute of Technology and his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the University of Miami Law Review and today serves as an adjunct professor of law.
REMEMBERING CUBA
Despite his life in the United States, he remains active in Cuban affairs.In addition to serving as a Board Member and Secretary of the Cuba Banking Study Group, he has given several presentations on Cuban topics ranging from post-Castro conditions to the US embargo against the island.
He has also given legal advice over the years to many clients on doing business with Cuba.
So, we ask, will democracy return to Cuba soon in light of Fidel Castro formally being succeeded by his brother Raul as president in February 2008? Not likely, Harper believes. “Fidel Castro’s [still] in charge,” he says.
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From: Isabel, USA I hope "Rocky" Harper will address Brazil's human rights violations in regards to the Hague Convention. Child abductors from all over the world find refuge in Brazil and the kidnapped children are often exposed to child abuse from parental alienation to death. The most recent fatal case just occurred last month when little Sophie Zanger was beaten to death. Her Austrian father tried to repatriate her for 2 years. His continued claims where pushed from appeal to appeal by the Brazilian judiciary.
From: Ceilli, Indiana I hope Mr. Meyer will review the IABA membership and rebuke any lawyer who has acted unethically. Paulo Lins E Silva and his involvement in the international abduction of Sean Goldman would be a good place to start. www.bringseanhome.org
From: S. Black, Florida .Congratulations to Mr Harper on his new position. As a menber of professional organizations, I am aware of the benefits of belonging to such groups. I too know I have a responsibility to conduct my professional and personal life in such a way as to reflect the ethics of my peers. I hope Mr Harper will review certain members' conduct in relation to the illegal retention in Brazil, of a minor in violation of the Hague Convention,and not excuse such behavior because there is pending litigation.There is documentation of illegal acts.To behave in a manner inconsistent with the goals of ones professional organization, is to cast a shadow on the good name of all it's members.
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