ABA Midyear Meeting Daily Advisory for Feb. 4-5, 2010

DAILY ADVISORY

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION 2010 ORLANDO MIDYEAR MEETING

THURSDAY, FEB. 4 – FRIDAY, FEB. 5

A discussion of state budgets, including court funding and access to justice, a conversation about the nation’s immigration adjudication system and an HIV/AIDS law and practice conference are among the programming on tap  on Thursday and Friday during the American Bar Association 2010 Midyear Meeting.  The meeting is being held Feb. 3 – 9 in Orlando, Fla.

THURSDAY, FEB. 4

“Blackboard to Bench to Blueprint: Defining a National Strategy for Courts and Schools to Engage Truant Youth that Builds Capacity and Competency”

The progression from truancy to dropout to delinquent behavior is a well-established cycle that needs to be broken.  How can the legal and the education system work together to communicate a national strategy to engage truant youth that can be replicated and funded?

9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Europe 5, Lobby/Third Level, Walt Disney World Dolphin

HIV Law and Practice: Taking Stock, Looking Ahead

8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (begins Feb. 3)

Oceanic 2 and 3, Asia 1 and 2, Lobby/Third Level, Walt Disney World Dolphin

“Not Illegal to be Young: Using the Law to Protect, Not Punish, At-Risk and Homeless Youth”

This session will explore best practices using the law to assist youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Panelists will discuss the best ways to approach this serious and growing problem. Discussion will include overlap with criminal law, education law, status offenses, housing, public benefits and other areas of law.

1 – 2:30 p.m.

Europe 9, Lobby/Third Level, Walt Disney World Dolphin

“Alone without an Attorney: Why Doesn’t Florida (and some other States) Provide Lawyers to all Foster Children?”

3:30 – 5 p.m.

Europe 9, Lobby/Third Level, Walt Disney World Dolphin

FRIDAY, FEB. 5:

“How to Get What You Want: Embracing the Art of Negotiation in Your Personal and Professional Life”

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Europe 9, Lobby/Third Level, Walt Disney World Dolphin

“The Changing Face of Discrimination: From Where We’ve Been to Where We’re Going in Civil Rights Law”

From the Civil Rights Act of 1961 to today, the definition of discrimination has evolved. In this program, panelists will explore how the Civil Rights Act was intended to address discrimination and how current day discrimination issues, including national origin, sexual identity and reverse discrimination fit in that statute.

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Asia 3, Lobby/Third Level, Walt Disney World Dolphin

“Transportation Impact Fees Program”

This continuing legal education program will focus on cutting-edge changes in impact mobility fees, including a national analysis and an analysis of Florida’s current legislative and regulatory showdown over the fees. Local experts from around the state will join the conversation.

9 – 11 a.m.

Australia 3, Lobby/Third Level, Walt Disney World Dolphin

“New Developments in E-Discovery”

E-Discovery is a continually evolving area of law and litigators are charged with the duty of remaining current with this evolution. Both case law and evidentiary rules in various jurisdictions are regularly updated and improved to keep us with the new scenarios the legal world regularly encounters.  This program provides a snapshot of the current state of e-discovery law.

9:45 – 10:45 a.m.

Asia 3, Lobby/Third Level, Walt Disney World Dolphin

“Smart Soloing: Effective Strategies for Diverse Lawyers”

In the current employment environment, many lawyers are turning to solo/small firm practice. This program will address, among other issues, some of the barriers and opportunities for minority and women solo and small firm practitioners.  Strategies and resource information on how to overcome barriers and to capitalize opportunities will be shared.

12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Northern Hemisphere A3, Fifth Level, Walt Disney World Dolphin

“Prosecuting and Defending Immigration-Based Criminal Offense: What Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys Should Know”

Across the nation, large numbers of non-citizens face prosecution in criminal courts, and with growing frequency these offenses involve immigration-based crimes.  The elements of the underlying offense will often involve an examination of previous immigration proceedings and immigration law.  Prosecutors, defense counsel and judges often have little experience with immigration law, how to examine an “A-file” and how a particular result will affect immigration status. This program will provide two insightful panels that will provide comprehensive training for both judges and lawyers.
1 – 4 p.m.

Swan Ballroom 2, First Level, Walt Disney World Swan

“Hot Off the Press: A Call for Reform of the Immigration Adjudication System”

The ABA Commission on Immigration, with the pro bono assistance of Arnold and Porter, has undertaken a comprehensive study of the immigration system and the urgent need for reform.  The study includes an in-depth analysis of the current removal system, as well as detailed recommendations for a full-system overhaul.  The program will include comments from the study’s authors as well as immigration experts, judges and advocates.

3 – 4:30 p.m.

Promenade Salon IV, Ground Level, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

“Inside the Supreme Court: the Personalities and Philosophies of the Justices”

The speakers will discuss the backgrounds, experiences, personalities, and judicial and personal philosophies of current and recent members of the U.S. Supreme Court. The speakers have had various associations with the justices, including arguing numerous cases before the court to writing about individual justices to reporting court decisions.

4 – 5:30

Americas Seminar Room, Fifth Level, Walt Disney World Dolphi

Mock Trial: B.B. Wolf v. Curly Pig

4 – 6 p.m.

Mockingbird 1, First Level, Walt Disney World Swan

“How a Battle for Adoption Rights Became a First Amendment Keller Issue”

Two recent court decisions (In re: Gill and Liberty Counsel v. Fl Bar Board of Governors) have placed Florida at the center of the struggle against banning adoption and fostering by gay people.   While these decisions were hailed as important victories by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocates, they have had serious implications far beyond the sphere of LGBT parenting rights. From setting limits on what a bar association can say on behalf of its members under the Keller decision to determining what rights and liberties can be decided at the ballot box, this panel will provide an in-depth look at what these decisions mean.
4 – 5:30 p.m.

Northern Hemisphere A2, Fifth Level, Walt Disney World Dolphin

Robert F. Drinan Award Reception

Llewelyn G. Pritchard, Seattle, is to be presented with the Robert F. Drinan Award
5:30 – 7 p.m.

Asia Lobby, Third Level, Walt Disney World Dolphin

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 expected 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; call for making the nation’s immigration adjudication system more fair and efficient; and urge the president and the attorney general to ensure that decisions to appoint, promote or terminate U.S. attorneys are neither rewards nor punishment 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.