FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

(WASHINGTON, DC – April 11, 2005) Common Legal Issues Facing Italy & America: Corporate Governance & Intellectual Property is the topic of the conference to be held at the Italian Senate and the Ministry for Productive Activity, May 10-11 in Rome, Italy. The conference is sponsored by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Institute for International Law.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is the conference keynote speaker. Michael Greco, president-elect, American Bar Association (ABA), and Giovanni Prezioso, general counsel, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as well as internationally known lawyers and jurists from Italy and the U.S. will participate in the conference. The conference will focus on issues that challenge today’s legal community.

The NIAF conference is held in conjunction with the Foundation’s May 10 Rome 2005 Gala Benefit Dinner at the Excelsior Hotel. The Rome Gala Dinner is a celebration of the business, political and cultural ties between Italy and the United States. The NIAF Rome 2005 Gala Honoree is Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, chairman, FIAT SpA and chairman, Confindustria. Mr. Montezemolo will receive the NIAF U.S./Italy Friendship Award for his corporate accomplishments in leading Italians and Americans into the 21st century.

The event will be attended by prominent Italians and Italian Americans in business, the arts, government, and entertainment.

Continuing Legal Educations (CLE) credits for this conference will be applied for by Villanova University Law School. Cost: $450 per person includes conferences, luncheon, reception and gala dinner. To register,contact Kristi Pappalardo at 202-939-3109; fax 202-234-0651, or kristina@niaf.org

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC and dedicated to promoting business, cultural and political exchange between Italy and the U.S.