This in-depth panel discussion features leading attorneys examining government investigations targeting researchers, the intersection of criminal defense, immigration and employment law, and the particular pressures faced by scholars and researchers of Chinese descent. The panel will explore what has changed since the China Initiative and what echoes remain.

Featured Speakers:

• Rob Fisher, Esq. Partner at Nixon Peabody, who has successfully defended many of the nation’s most prestigious scientists and academics in China Initiative and False Claims Act investigations and prosecutions.
• Justin Sadowsky, Esq. Legal Director at CALDA, a civil rights litigator with nearly 20 years of experience advancing constitutional protections and challenging racial discrimination in U.S. federal courts.
• John Sandweg, Esq. Partner at Nixon Peabody, leads the firm’s Cross-Border Risks team within the Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense practice, focusing on national security, immigration, and DHS compliance matters. He previously served as Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), overseeing approximately 20,000 employees worldwide, and as Acting General Counsel of the Department of Homeland Security. He is a frequent commentator on immigration and border enforcement issues for CNN, NPR, and PBS.
• Brian Sun, Esq. Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, best known for defending nuclear scientist Wen Ho Lee in a landmark civil suit against the Department of Energy that settled for over $1.6 million.
• Clay Zhu, Esq. President of CALDA, with 25+ years of civil rights advocacy and cross-border litigation experience, including leading the landmark 2020 lawsuit that halted the federal WeChat ban.

The webinar will be moderated by Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Esq. Asian American Scholar Forum Executive Director.

Whether you are a researcher navigating these challenges, an educator, a student seeking resources, or a community member invested in protecting civil rights, this webinar offers essential insights and practical information.