PILPG Update

PILPG Update: A Blueprint for Resolving the Status of Kirkuk, Iraq

June 6, 2007

PILPG and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP are pleased to release their new report, Kirkuk. This report, drafted for PILPG by attorneys at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, sets forth a blueprint for resolving the contentious issue of the final status of Kirkuk. The report examines issues relating to the referendum on status, wealth sharing, the protection of human rights, the return of internally displaced people, and the development of an inclusive governance structure.

About Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is a global law firm with approximately 980 lawyers in North America, Europe and Asia. The firm focuses on litigation, complex and novel finance and innovative corporate transactions. Orrick clients include Fortune 100 companies, major industrial and financial corporations, commercial and investment banks, high-growth companies, governmental entities, start-ups and individuals. The firm’s size, resources, geographic breadth, advanced IT systems and business-oriented culture ensure that its clients receive responsive, value-added services. Orrick’s depth and breadth of experience include a wide range of transactional and litigation matters, and Orrick lawyers are committed to providing high-quality, innovative solutions to the most complex legal challenges.

The firm’s 18 offices are located in Beijing, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Milan, Moscow, New York, Orange County, Pacific Northwest, Paris, Rome, Sacramento, San Francisco, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, Taipei, Tokyo and Washington, D.C.

About the Public International Law & Policy Group

The Public International Law & Policy Group (PILPG) is a global, pro bono law firm providing legal assistance to governments and states involved in conflicts. To facilitate use of this legal assistance, PILPG also provides policy formation advice and training on matters related to conflict resolution. In 2005 PILPG was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

PILPG's primary practice areas are Peacebuilding, International Justice, Post-Conflict Political Development, and Public International Law. To provide pro bono legal advice and policy formulation expertise, PILPG relies almost exclusively on volunteer legal assistance from more than sixty former international lawyers, diplomats, and foreign relations experts, as well as pro bono assistance from major international law firms. Annually, PILPG is able to provide over $10 million worth of pro bono international legal services.

Because of its diverse network of volunteers, PILPG is able to maintain volunteer points of contact in London, Paris, New York, Washington D.C., Cleveland, Boston, Rome, The Hague, Stockholm, Brussels, Kabul, Nairobi, and Seattle. In July 1999, the United Nations granted official Non-Governmental Organization status to PILPG.

The Managing Board of PILPG includes:

Paul Williams - Executive Director

Michael Scharf - Managing Director

James Hooper - Managing Director

To learn more about the Public International Law & Policy Group, please visit our website at http://www.pilpg.org