Challenges of Technology in the Workplace and Law Practice the Focus of ABA Conference

CHICAGO, April 21, 2009 – Legal issues surrounding the use of radio frequency identification technology in the workplace, computer fraud and intellectual property law, and ethical issues resulting from the globalization of legal services are among topics to be explored at the American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law meeting, April 29 – May 1, in Seattle.

The section’s Technology in the Practice and Workplace Committee Midyear Meeting at Seattle University School of Law will host program speakers from the federal judiciary, leading academics and prominent legal practioners who will present on a range of topics that include:

• Technology in the working world, including the use of computer software to provide reasonable accommodations, legal issues associated with workplace use of radio frequency identification technology, and a review of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008.
• Technology for the litigator, focusing on the impact of new technologies on litigation under the Fair Labor Standards Act, e-discovery responsibilities, liabilities and insurance, and IP law and computer fraud and abuse.
• Technology for the legal practitioner, covering recent amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act, ethical issues with the globalization of legal services, changes in the Restatement of Law resulting from the use of new workplace technology, and an update on relevant issues under the National Labor Relations Act.
• Technology for in-house counsel, which will include a panel discussion and authoritative advice from in-house counsels at Amazon, Microsoft and Boeing regarding compliance with e-discovery rules.

On Thursday, April 30, Judge James L. Robart of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington will be the keynote speaker at a 12:30 p.m. luncheon.  His speech is titled “The Use of Electronic Devices in the Federal Courts: Struggling to Keep Up with Society.”

Click here to view the full meeting agenda.

The Section of Labor and Employment Law is the legal profession’s most knowledgeable and influential voice on matters involving labor-management and employment relationships. The section represents all perspectives of labor and employment law: employer, union, employee, public, and neutral. All are committed to a balanced discussion of employment issues in the United States and abroad.

With more than 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

- 30 -

Editors Note: Accredited reporters are welcome to cover the meeting for free.  Contact Dave Jaffe, 312-988-6139 or jaffed@staff.abanet.org.