American Bar Association 2009 Chicago Annual Meeting, Saturday, Aug. 1 – Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009
CHICAGO, July 30, 2009 — Retired Associate Justice David H. Souter of the U.S. Supreme Court will address the American Bar Association’s opening assembly Saturday as part of the association’s 2009 Annual Meeting, July 30 – Aug. 4, in Chicago. Other highlights from Saturday – Sunday’s sessions include a debate on legal and policy aspects of testing of incarcerated individuals for HIV, personal stories of women in the law from the past 60 years and a discussion of judicial security.
Also on Saturday, former Attorney General Janet Reno with be awarded the Thurgood Marshall Award. Additional highlights from weekend programming are described below.
With more than 1,500 top-quality legal programs and events, and presentations by the foremost law experts and speakers, including Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., the ABA Annual Meeting is the nation’s premier gathering of legal professionals.
The 555-member House of Delegates will meet on Aug. 3 and 4 in the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Grand Ballroom, Gold Level, East Tower to consider policy recommendations and vote on resolutions. During the Aug. 3 meeting, Holder will address the delegates and William H. Gates Sr., co-chair of the William and Melinda Gates Foundation, will receive the ABA Medal, the association’s highest honor.
Among policies to be debated by the House is a plan to facilitate increased legal aid to persons facing crisis from the recession. Other proposals urge repeal of a provision in the Defense of Marriage Act that denies federal marital benefits and protections to lawfully married same-sex spouses; and call on Congress to approve a national study of the state of criminal justice aiming to reduce crime and incarceration, save tax dollars, enhance fairness and increase public confidence in criminal justice.
During the Annual Meeting, a press room for working journalists will be set up at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Riverside Center, Purple Level, East Tower, and will be open for on-site media registration at 8 a.m. on July 30. Thereafter the press room will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will close one hour after the adjournment of the House of Delegates on Aug. 4.
For details and updates on these and more than two dozen proposals for debate and vote by the House, check this site.
Online registration for news reporters is easier than ever. Credential guidelines are at www.abanews.org/credentials.html.
SATURDAY:
Just Around the Corner: Imminent Changes, Proposals and Milestones Affecting the Business of Healthcare
Speakers will address the changing landscape of the business of healthcare in light of the ongoing healthcare reform debate, with a focus on access to specialty care and challenges faced by the Medicare system.
8 – 10 a.m., Sheraton Ballroom II, Level 4, Sheraton Chicago
Women in the Law: Past, Present and Future
Share 60 years of history from the bench, government, academia, business and private practice in a conversation among an amazing group of women.
8 – 10 a.m., Sheraton Ballroom I, Level 4, Sheraton Chicago
‘Lost in Translation?’: Cross Cultural Issues in the Courts
Though often overlooked, cultural issues play a significant role in court rulings. Panelists at this program will examine the consequences of invoking ones own cultural beliefs during a trial and whether immigrants should be held to the same standards. Audience members will be provided with handheld devices to vote on several vignettes drawn from real-life inspired and hypothetical situations.
8:30 – 10 a.m., Plaza Ballroom A, East Tower, Lobby Level, Hyatt Regency Chicago
Bucking the Trend: Tales of Successful Firms in Turbulent Times
Declining profits, associate layoffs, salary cuts, partner de-equitizations and calls for additional capital contributions have hit U.S. law firms hard. Yet, a handful are prospering during these turbulent times, and they are not necessarily bankruptcy, employment or litigation boutiques that tend to thrive during economic downturns. This session presents the insights and perspectives of a panel of managing partners who have effectively led their firms to new heights of success in 2009.
8:30 – 10 a.m., Regency Ballroom A, West Tower, Gold Level, Hyatt Regency Chicago
Arming for the Cleantech Revolution: The United States Prepares Landmark Federal and State Legislation to Save the Climate and the Economy
Top experts will lead a discussion on federal and state legislation designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions, stimulate the economy and strengthen our energy independence. The Obama administration’s first six months will be examined with regard to implementation of its national energy policy, in conjunction with efforts in the House and Senate and in the states and regions across the country.
8:30 – 10 a.m., Regency Ballroom B, West Tower, Gold Level, Hyatt Regency Chicago
Rain on Me! Rainmaking and Marketing in a World Class Drought!
With bankruptcies and “going out of business” signs everywhere, good clients are even harder for lawyers to find and keep. How do lawyers generate the ”rain” in a drought? Panelists will share their powerful rainmaking techniques to help firms, large or small, and keep your “brand” on the minds of internal or external clients.
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Michigan Room A/B, Level 2, Sheraton Chicago
What (Not) to Post!
Your online image can be a lifeline to professional opportunities or a pathway to a posting nightmare. Social media is a powerful tool and your professional success can be affected by your ability to effectively (mis)manage your online image. How can you use social media to construct and display a professional image online? This program will provide you with the tools and information you need to know what (not) to post!
2 – 3:30 p.m., Macy’s on State Street
HIV and the Rule of Law: Should HIV Testing Be Mandatory in Incarcerated Settings?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the HIV epidemic in the United States is far worse than previously believed, with more than 56,000 new infections (up from 40,000) each year. This problem is especially acute in incarcerated populations. This program will examine the legal and policy dimensions of this phenomenon, including how HIV transmission can be prevented both in prison and after community re-entry.
2 – 3:30 p.m., Regency Ballroom D, Gold Level, West Tower, Hyatt Regency Chicago
What’s Happening on the Front Lines of Mortgage Servicing?
Panelists will explore the most difficult issues facing the mortgage servicing industry in the wake of the economic crisis. From the impact on neighborhoods to next steps on the road to recovery, this panel will also address loss mitigation strategies.
2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Sheraton Ballroom II, Level 4, Sheraton Chicago
Judicial Security: Keeping You and Your Family Safe
Issues that judges should know about security and safety on and off the bench, and practical techniques on how to be safe, including de-escalation techniques, will be explored by a panel of judicial experts that includes Judges Joan H. Lefkow, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, and Cheryl D. Cesario, Circuit Court for Cook County; Justice Henry DuPont Ridgely, Supreme Court of Delaware; representatives of the U.S. Marshals Service, the Federal Protective Service, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and others.
Aug. 1, 3 – 5:30 p.m., Parkside Room, Mezzanine Level, The Drake Hotel
Annual Meeting Opening Assembly, featuring remarks by retired Associate Justice David H. Souter of the U.S. Supreme Court; Gov. Patrick Quinn of Illinois will also attend.
5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Symphony Center, 220 South Michigan Avenue
Thurgood Marshall Award Reception and Dinner, Honoring Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno
7 – 11 p.m., Crystal Ballroom Foyer & Ballroom, Green Level, West Tower, Hyatt Regency Chicago
SUNDAY:
Blogomania – User Generated Content and the New Media Revolution
User-generated content is all over the Internet. However, companies that allow third parties to communicate on their Web sites open themselves up to certain legal risks. Learn how to manage those risks, and where potential liabilities still remain. Specific topics will include understanding the legal framework; what you must know about the DMCA; how, and when not to monitor UGC; special concerns when allowing children to engage in social networking, blogging and e-mailing.
10:30 a.m. – noon, West Tower, Regency Ballroom D, Gold Level, Hyatt Regency Chicago
Investigations in a Time of Financial Meltdown: What is the New Normal?
This roundtable discussion will assess the “new normal” in investigations conducted by the Department of Justice, the FBI, foreign prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission, in the wake of the international financial and credit crisis.
10:30 a.m. – noon, Regency Ballroom C, Gold Level, West Tower, Hyatt Regency Chicago
Margaret Brent Lawyers of Achievement Awards Luncheon
Among the awardees are: Linda L. Addison of Houston and New York; Helaine M. Barnett, president of Legal Services Corporation; Judge Arnette R. Hubbard of Circuit Court of Cook County Law Jury Division; Judge Vanessa Ruiz of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals; and Loretta A. Tuell of Washington, D.C.,
Noon – 2:30 p.m., Imperial Ballroom, B-2 Level, Fairmont Hotel
A New Era for the International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice has more cases before it than at any time in its history. This panel will survey pending and recent cases before the court and examine compliance with decisions of the court. The panel and audience also will engage in an interactive discussion on whether the increasing docket suggests a new role for the court in international dispute resolution.
2 – 3:30 p.m., Plaza Ballroom A, Lobby Level, East Tower, Hyatt Regency Chicago
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.
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