by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The last time the United States and Argentina met in the World Cup Soccer Tournament, it was 1930 in Uruguay and the Argentineans thumped the Americans, 6-1.
The two countries were on much better terms last week when a group of Argentinean judges and attorneys and a journalist were in town. One of their many stops was a lunchtime gathering at Rogers Towers where they were greeted with smiles and barbecue.
Attorney Bill Scheu served as host and emcee and said meeting with the delegation allows both his firm and the group from Argentina to learn a little about each other’s justice systems. Although Argentina is a democracy, its justice system is still different from here in the U.S.
“We get the pleasure of meeting new friends,” said Scheu. “It helps us understand their legal system and them ours. It helps provide a different perspective.”
The group was in town thanks to International Visitor Corps of Jacksonville. Scheu is a member of the IVC board and said his firm hosted the delegation after being approached by IVC — a division of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
“We are thrilled to do it,” said Scheu.
The two-hour meeting centered on several things including an overview of Rogers Towers and participation from some of the firm’s attorneys. The Argentinean delegation was interested in everything from the firm’s relationship with the PGA Tour, pro bono requirements, the local and state bars, ethical issues and discovery.
The group also met with State Attorney Harry Shorstein, Eric Smith of Florida Coastal School of Law and Joe Stelma of the Duval County Drug Court.