[CCWG-ACCT] Proposed Agenda CCWG ACCT Meeting - 12 July 2016 @ 20:00 UTC

Robin Gross robin at ipjustice.org
Thu Jul 14 01:16:56 UTC 2016


It is simply a non-starter to suggest that CCWG would lose its right to independent counsel at this stage.  I am struggling to understand *where* the suggestion to start this debate all over again even came from.  We have very important issues on our agenda for WorkStream 2 that require independence of legal advice: transparency of board deliberations, reforming the DIDP, the CEP, etc., which all involve trying to reform the policies that were created by the in-house legal dept.  It is silly to suggest that we must seek the legal advice from those who created the policies we are trying to reform as that would be counter-productive to our goals.

Additionally it was revealed in yesterday’s calls, that ICANN’s legal dept fees will be added to the CCWG’s independent fees, so CCWG will be billed for the in-house efforts to resist our reforms (and we won’t be given access to the legal advice that we would be paying for).  I think it is extremely important the legal fees NOT be conflated together.  We need to understand what the separate costs are, and we cannot be held responsible for spending on Jones Day that is outside of our control.  Fees that ICANN corporate undertakes must be separated from fees that CCWG undertakes or the proposed budget process makes absolutely no sense, unless it was intended to tie CCWG’s hands and give ICANN corporate a blank check to spend resisting our reforms.

This is an important issue that we cannot roll over on, or everything else we try to do from here on out will be of questionable value.  This settled debate should not be re-opened, despite the huge win for ICANN corporate if were to succeed in over-turning this group’s previous decision on this critical matter of independence of legal advice.

Thanks,
Robin



> On Jul 13, 2016, at 2:06 PM, Niels ten Oever <lists at nielstenoever.net> wrote:
> 
> Also +1 to Greg and +1 to James
> 
> On 07/13/2016 10:50 PM, Dr. Tatiana Tropina wrote:
>> Thanks, Greg. +1. Fully agree.
>> 
>> CCWG shall retain the ability to ask for independent advice. Also agree
>> that continuing with Sidley Austin and Adler & Colvin is the best option.
>> 
>> + 1 also to James previous email about not reopening the debate.
>> 
>> Best,
>> 
>> Tanya
>> 
>> 
>> On 13/07/16 22:42, Greg Shatan wrote:
>>> Siva,
>>> 
>>> The reasons are all in the record.  Please go back and read all of the
>>> materials and discussions relating to our desire and choice to hire
>>> independent counsel.  If you have any specific questions after that,
>>> please ask them.
>>> 
>>> I will briefly say the following: 
>>> 
>>> 1. This has nothing to do with competence, although being generally
>>> competent and competent in a specific area are two different things.
>>> 
>>> 2. Where we needed first-hand knowledge or history, we've turned to
>>> ICANN legal as one source for such things. That won't change.  Advice
>>> is another thing entirely.
>>> 
>>> 3. Ask yourself "Who is ICANN legal's client?" and you will have
>>> answered your own question.
>>> 
>>> Greg
>>> 
>>> On Wednesday, July 13, 2016, Sivasubramanian M <isolatedn at gmail.com
>>> <mailto:isolatedn at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>> 
>>>    Greg,
>>> 
>>>    ​How valid are your assumptions? What are the reasons for this
>>>    unwillingness to make use of ICANN Legal, who are competent, have
>>>    first hand knowledge and a complete understanding of the legal
>>>    nuances on matters concerning ICANN, may I ask?​ Saves money on
>>>    most matters requiring legal advice, and should there be areas
>>>    that require specialized advice, we could seek external advice.
>>> 
>>> 
>>>    On Thu, Jul 14, 2016 at 12:28 AM, Greg Shatan
>>>    <gregshatanipc at gmail.com
>>>    <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','gregshatanipc at gmail.com');>> wrote:
>>> 
>>>        I object, and I think many others objected, to the idea that
>>>        advice from inhouse (i.e., ICANN legal) should be the
>>>        "default."  We retained independent counsel to the CCWG for
>>>        good reason
>>>        ​s​
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>        and those reasons are still applicable today.  I hope we don't
>>>        need to rehash that.
>>> 
>>>        We need the continued ability and discretion to go directly to
>>>        CCWG's counsel.  Requesting inhouse to solicit an opinion from
>>>        an external counsel is not only "cumbersome," it's absolutely
>>>        antithetical to the relationship between CCWG and its
>>>        independent counsel.
>>> 
>>>        I strongly believe that the "default" must be the status quo,
>>>        i.e., that the CCWG (through reasonable processes) has the
>>>        ability and discretion to turn to its own counsel.  Further, I
>>>        strongly believe that CCWG's independent counsel must remain
>>>        Sidley Austin and Adler & Colvin.  They have been up a
>>>        tremendous learning curve and worked with us every step of the
>>>        way.  It would be folly to cast that aside.  It's worth noting
>>>        that Sidley is a full-service law firm with offices outside
>>>        the US in Beijing, Brussels, Geneva, Hong Kong, London,
>>>        Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.  I'm confident
>>>        that Sidley (and Adler) will (a) tell us when they don't have
>>>        the expertise to help us, and (b) work with us on working
>>>        methods to make our use of the firms more cost-effective. 
>>> 
>>>        Greg
>>> 
>>>        On Tue, Jul 12, 2016 at 9:22 PM, Rudolph Daniel
>>>        <rudi.daniel at gmail.com
>>>        <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','rudi.daniel at gmail.com');>> wrote:
>>> 
>>>            Based on comments on the call today, IMO; A good body of
>>>            knowledge was accquired on the subject of legal requests
>>>            in wg1. WG2 legal resources would be both inhouse and
>>>            external, from start, We should be much more efficient
>>>            this time around. Each sub however will have their needs
>>>            and there may be requests applicable across the subgroups
>>>            and/or specific to a subgroup.
>>>            So, that suggests close relationship between budget
>>>            control and the former legal request team [reconfigured
>>>            and/or augmented] who would have to coordinate requests
>>>            across ws2 sub 
>>>            groups as i see it.
>>>            What determines the initial choice inhouse/external
>>>            resources may be a matter of consensus, but it may be
>>>            prudent to consider the process as [default] inhouse with
>>>            the flexible and necessary option of external sources by
>>>            consensus [as the fog clears so to speak]. I think it may
>>>            be cumbersome to request inhouse to solicit an opinion
>>>            from an external,  because there may arise an instance
>>>            where; on the strength of an opinion, [inhouse or
>>>            external] ; a wg2 may wish to reframe and seek
>>>            alternative advise elswhere.
>>>            rd
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>            Rudi Daniel
>>>            /danielcharles consulting
>>>            <http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kingstown-Saint-Vincent-and-the-Grenadines/DanielCharles/153611257984774>/
>>>            *
>>>            *
>>> 
>>> 
>>>            On Tue, Jul 12, 2016 at 7:21 PM, Vinay Kesari
>>>            <vinay.kesari at gmail.com
>>>            <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','vinay.kesari at gmail.com');>>
>>>            wrote:
>>> 
>>>                Dear all,
>>> 
>>>                I was unfortunately unable to join the call as I was
>>>                on a flight at the time, my apologies. I've just had a
>>>                chance to catch up on the Adobe Connect recording, and
>>>                I'm happy to reconfirm my willingness and availability
>>>                to serve as a rapporteur. Also, I agree with the
>>>                thrust of Kavouss' comment at 0:24:30, and affirm my
>>>                commitment to serve impartially. I look forward to
>>>                working with Greg on the jurisdiction subgroup.
>>> 
>>>                Separately, on the issue of allocation of legal
>>>                requests, I agree that we need further discussion, and
>>>                endorse creating an Option 3 based on the points made
>>>                and the specific requirements of the different WS2
>>>                subgroups.
>>> 
>>>                Regards,
>>>                Vinay
>>> 
>>> 
>>>                On 12 July 2016 at 20:55, Mathieu Weill
>>>                <mathieu.weill at afnic.fr
>>>                <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','mathieu.weill at afnic.fr');>>
>>>                wrote:
>>> 
>>>                    Dear Colleagues,
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>                    Attached is a short set of slides to support our
>>>                    discussion on agenda item #4
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>                    Talk to you in a few hours
>>> 
>>>                    Mathieu
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>                    *De :*accountability-cross-community-bounces at icann.org
>>>                    <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','accountability-cross-community-bounces at icann.org');>
>>>                    [mailto:accountability-cross-community-bounces at icann.org
>>>                    <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','accountability-cross-community-bounces at icann.org');>]
>>>                    *De la part de* MSSI Secretariat
>>>                    *Envoyé :* lundi 11 juillet 2016 19:46
>>>                    *À :* CCWG-Accountability
>>>                    *Objet :* [CCWG-ACCT] Proposed Agenda CCWG ACCT
>>>                    Meeting - 12 July 2016 @ 20:00 UTC
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>                    Good day all,
>>> 
>>>                    In preparation for your call, CCWG Accountability
>>>                    WS2 Meeting #2 
>>>                    <https://community.icann.org/x/FyOOAw>– Tuesday,
>>>                    12 July @ 20:00 – 22:00 UTC.  Time zone converter
>>>                    here
>>>                    <http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?msg=CCWG+Accountability+Meeting&iso=20160712T20&p1=1440&ah=2>     
>>> 
>>> 
>>>                    *Proposed Agenda:*
>>> 
>>>                    1.        Welcome, SOI
>>> 
>>>                    2.      
>>>                     Articles of Incorporation : finalize submission 
>>> 
>>>                    3.      
>>>                     Appointment of rapporteurs for WS2 – next steps 
>>> 
>>>                    4.      
>>>                     Legal Cost Control Mechanism : initial discussion 
>>> 
>>>                    5.        AOB
>>> 
>>>                    6.        Closing
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>                    *Adobe Connect:
>>>                    *https://icann.adobeconnect.com/accountability/
>>>                    <https://icann.adobeconnect.com/accountability/>
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>                    Thank you!
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>                    With kind regards,
>>> 
>>>                    Brenda Brewer 
>>> 
>>>                    MSSI Projects & Operations Assistant
>>> 
>>>                    ICANN-**Internet Corporation for Assigned Names
>>>                    and Numbers
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>                    _______________________________________________
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>>>                    Accountability-Cross-Community at icann.org
>>>                    <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','Accountability-Cross-Community at icann.org');>
>>>                    https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/accountability-cross-community
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>                _______________________________________________
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>>> 
>>> 
>>>            _______________________________________________
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>>> 
>>> 
>>>        _______________________________________________
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>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>    -- 
>>>    Sivasubramanian M <https://www.facebook.com/sivasubramanian.muthusamy>
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
>> 
>> 
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> 
> -- 
> Niels ten Oever
> Head of Digital
> 
> Article 19
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