An estimated 300,000 children of illegal immigrants are born in the United States every year, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. Because they are born in the United States, these children are automatically U.S. citizens.

An expert panel of speakers shared ideas about practicing law in a solo or small firm Friday at the ABA Midyear Meeting. “Smart Soloing: Effective Strategies for Diverse Lawyers” – which also was webcast live for an online audience – was part of the Presidential Diversity Commission’s Distance Learning Program Series.

“Personality is the common denominator in all negotiations,” said Lee Hetherington, professor of law and author of The Lawyers Guide to Negotiation, speaking to a packed room of attendees at the ABA Midyear Meeting, Feb. 6, in Orlando, Fla. He began the session by defining negotiation as “altering the status quo by consensual means” versus using the alternatives to consensus such as intimidation, physical violence or even war.

The American Bar Association House of Delegates will vote on nearly 40 policy recommendations relating to immigration adjudication reform, criminal justice reform and other key legal issues. The 555-member policymaking body will meet on Monday and Tuesday during the association’s 2010 Midyear Meeting in Orlando, Fla. at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, Northern Hemisphere Ballroom, Fifth level.

With fewer lawyers making it to the partner ranks, how can a lawyer distinguish herself from her peers seeking the same top spots? That was the primary question explored during “Pointers for the New Partner,” a Friday session of the ABA Midyear Meeting, sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division.

The critical factors that led to the recent American Bar Association report on reforming the immigration adjudication system were examined Friday by legal experts deeply involved in the study’s creation and with this troubling issue. The discussion came during the ABA Midyear Meeting program Hot Off the Presses: A Call for Reform of the Immigration Adjudication System.

During its 2010 Midyear Meeting in Orlando, Fla., the American Bar Association will recognize outstanding contributions and performance in the legal industry with awards to individuals and organizations.

Going beyond incremental changes to create a real impact in the criminal justice system is the theme of the Fifth Annual Summit on Indigent Defense Improvement Feb. 13 at the Marriott Boston Copley Place.

At the end of his tour of duty in Iraq, National Guard Sgt. James Hurley returned to the United States to find his Michigan home sold and his wife and two toddlers evicted. While Hurley was away, his wife was unable to keep up with mortgage payments. As a result, the Hurleys’ home went up for sale at a sheriff’s auction, which the bank bought and sold to another buyer.

More than one in three lawyers expects lay-offs at their firms this year, according to a study reported by the ABA Journal in January. In an effort to help lawyers find jobs and network with others navigating through the recession, the Young Lawyers Division hosts speed networking—an adaptation of speed dating—on Feb. 13 at the Westin Copely Place Hotel at 11 a.m.

The nation’s housing market was hard-hit during 2008, with nearly 3.2 million foreclosure filings, including loan default, auction sale notices and bank repossessions.

Up-to-the-minute information from the ABA 2009 Midyear Meeting in Boston, Feb. 11 – 17, is as close as your Blackberry, iPhone or mobile device. Right now you can visit ABANow.org for a preview of continuing legal education programs and events to be featured at Midyear, then during the meeting enjoy coverage whenever and wherever you want it—in the palm of your hand.