A 32-word excerpt from a speech by Justice Sonia Sotomayor during her confirmation hearings set off a firestorm of controversy, criticism and commentary. But it also has created a “teachable moment” for judges and lawyers that will be explored Saturday at the ABA Midyear Meeting program, “Diversity on the Bench: Is the ‘Wise Latina’ a Myth?”

Based on a recent head count, on any given night there are around 1.6 million youth under the age of 17 who are homeless, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. However, not all of these children are in the welfare system, so many struggle to survive without any access to services and have no awareness of their legal rights.

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.

As part of its overall review of federal rules, the Pretrial Practice and Discovery Committee of the Section of Litigation has established a Task Force to monitor cases in the federal circuits. The Task Force is providing context to track and evaluate how the courts are interpreting these decisions and applying the new standards to cases moving through the system. A complete chart of cases, with analysis, can be found at the Committee’s web site.

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.

Referring to the current immigration adjudication removal system, Andrew Schoenholtz — Georgetown Law professor and a member of the American Bar Association Commission on Immigration — stated that it was a “system we cannot accept.” Schoenholtz was part of an expert panel unveiling “Reforming the Immigration System: Proposals to Promote Independence, Fairness, Efficiency, and Professionalism in the Adjudication of Removal Cases” at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 2.

With the American Bar Association’s annual legal technology expo around the corner in March, “Wired,” the cover article in the February 2010 issue of ABA Journal examines and compares the choices for online legal research. In a field formerly dominated by two players—Westlaw and LexisNexis—competition is heating up as Bloomberg, Google and relative newcomer Fastcase expand their capabilities or enter the lucrative legal research industry.

Marion C. Blakey, president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, recently shared her ideas about strengthening aviation security with attendees of the ABA Forum on Air & Space Law’s Washington Update Conference, a one-day program packed with speakers who addressed the business and policy challenges confronting airlines management, lawmakers and attorneys.

Vice Admiral Ann E. Rondeau, USN, and president, National Defense University was the guest speaker for the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Law and National Security lunch meeting January 27, 2010. She spoke about the changing needs in military education as new threats and new missions face our country.

The American Bar Association Section of Litigation Committee on Corporate Counsel will hold its 28th annual Continuing Legal Education Seminar Feb. 11-14 at the Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

The Cyberspace Law Committee of the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section will offer CLE credit for the first time during its winter working meeting Jan 29-30 at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fla.

Eight teams from around the country will meet Saturday and Sunday in the national finals of the American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law Sixth Annual Student Trial Advocacy Competition in Washington, D.C.
The field of finalists has been winnowed down from 84 teams representing 59 different law schools that entered