ABA Midyear Meeting Daily Advisory for Feb. 6-7, 2010

DAILY ADVISORY

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION 2010 ORLANDO MIDYEAR MEETING

SATURDAY, FEB. 6 – SUNDAY, FEB. 7

Discussion of Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s “Wise Latina” comment and presentation of two key American Bar Association awards are among the events on tap for Saturday and Sunday’s programming of the association’s 2010 Midyear Meeting.  The meeting is being held Feb. 3 – 9 in Orlando, Fla.

In addition, the weekend will feature a town hall with ABA President Carolyn B. Lamm and discussion of hot legal topics.  During the Spirit of Excellence Awards Luncheon on Saturday, Francisco Angones, the first Cuban-born president of The Florida Bar, along with four other leaders from a wide spectrum of societal leadership dedicated toward advancing a diverse legal profession, will be honored.  The luncheon will take place from 12:30 – 2 p.m. in Northern Hemisphere B/C/D, Fifth level in the Walt Disney World Dolphin.

SATURDAY, FEB. 6:

“Town Hall with the ABA President/Hot Tips on Hot Topics/Legal Plagiarism”

The meeting with also include remarks from the National Conference of Bar Presidents President Mary T. Torres

9:30 – 11:15 a.m.

Southern Hemisphere I/II, Fifth Level, Walt Disney World Dolphin

Spirit of Excellence Awards Luncheon

Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Northern Hemisphere B/C/D, Fifth Level, Walt Disney World Dolphin

“Diversity on the Bench: Is ‘the Wise Latina’ a Myth?”

The recent Supreme Court confirmation hearing of Justice Sonia Sotomayor was dominated by 32 words excerpted from one of her many speeches: “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.” The notion that judges’ decision making might be affected by their gender and race or ethnicity is repugnant to those who view “judging” as a sterile, objective disposition of cases.  But a growing number of studies are now demonstrating the dramatic impact that judges’ gender and race/ethnicity may have, at least in certain types of cases.  Can judges really check their individual identities at the door?  Are there systemic changes that should be made?

2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Northern Hemisphere A4, Fifth Level, Walt Disney World Dolphin

Pursuit of Justice Award Presentation/Reception and Dinner

The ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section is honoring Samuel P. King of Orlando, Fla., with the Pursuit of Justice Award, which recognizes lawyers and judges who have shown outstanding merit and who excel in providing access to justice for all.

6 – 10 p.m.

Disney’s Atlantic Avenue Dance Hall

The 555-member House of Delegates will meet Monday and Tuesday in the Walt Disney World Dolphin, Northern Hemisphere Ballroom, Fifth level, to consider policy recommendations and vote on resolutions.  Among the recommendations that are slated to be debated by the House include ones that urge trial and appellate courts to distinguish between lawyer “error” and lawyer “misconduct” when describing a lawyer’s action; that call for making the nation’s immigration adjudication system more fair and efficient; and that urge the president and the attorney general to ensure that decisions to appoint, promote or terminate U.S. attorneys are neither rewards nor punishments for decisions to conduct proceedings because of partisan political interests.

No proposal constitutes association policy unless and until the House of Delegates adopts it.  Some offerings may be withdrawn, while other measures can be submitted up until the afternoon of Feb. 7.  Any measure can be amended until it is taken to a vote.

During the Midyear Meeting, a press room for working journalists will be set up at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, Atlantic Hall C, First level, and will be open for on-site media registration at 8 a.m. on Feb. 3.  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 Feb. 9.