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Stand Your Ground Laws criticized during ABA hearing in Chicago

John — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:36:28 +0000

Local community activists and lawyers offer their perspectives on the impact of Stand Your Ground Laws during a regional hearing May 2 at American Bar Association headquarters in Chicago.

The hearing was the second of four regional hearings on Stand Your Ground laws hosted by a national ABA task force formed last year to assess the laws. Leading the task force is the ABA Coalition on Racial and Ethnic Justice and other association entities.

Related Top Story: National Task Force on Stand Your Ground Laws hears from Chicagoland activists and lawyers who fear proliferation of self-defense laws

Section of Litigation 2013 Annual Conference: Former Major League Baseball manager and public health researcher discuss impact of violence on children

John — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:54:37 +0000

Joe Torre, former Major League Baseball player and manager, and John Rich, professor at the Drexel University School of Public Health, discuss how to recognize and treat children who are victims of violence and what lawyers can do to make a difference.

The clip is a highlight from “The Impact of Violence,” an April 26 CLE program at the ABA Section of Litigation 2013 Annual Conference in Chicago.

Justice Ginsburg Weighs In on Impact of International Law on Court Decisions, Reflects on Changing Court Dynamics

John — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:56:05 +0000

Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the U.S. Supreme Court reflects on her career and the evolving High Court, during an April 26 luncheon at the American Bar Association Section of International Law 2013 Spring Meeting. Specifically, as an expert in comparative constitutional law, Ginsburg discusses the impact of international law on Court decisions as well as her personal thoughts on bench diversity, the confirmation process and the perception of disharmony among justices.

Ronald A. “Ron” Cass, dean emeritus of Boston University School of Law and president of Cass & Associates, PC, serves as moderator during the discussion.

ABA Day 2013: ABA Congressional Justice Awards Recognize Leadership on Key Legal Concerns

John — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 22:12:41 +0000

President Laurel G. Bellows presented the American Bar Association’s Congressional Justice Award to six members of Congress who were recognized at a Library of Congress dinner April 17 on Capitol Hill. The dinner was one of many activities scheduled for ABA Day 2013, the association’s annual effort to connect policymakers with their constituents in the legal profession.

The award recipients are: Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID); Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL); Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ); Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD); Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY); and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

ABA Day 2013: 50 States Take ABA Message to Congress

John — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:37:43 +0000

Participants from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., came together on Capitol Hill for ABA Day 2013, the association’s annual effort to connect policymakers with their constituents in the legal profession. The event, held April 16-18, drew volunteer leaders from local, state and specialty bar associations who advocated for funding for the Legal Services Corporation, filling federal judicial vacancies and funding for the judiciary.

This video highlights activities during the three-day event.

For more coverage of ABA Day 2013, see “ABA Day Draws Participants from All 50 States for 2 Years Running.”

Section of Litigation 2013 Annual Conference: General Counsel Discuss Social Media and the Need for Corporate Crisis Management Plans

John — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:08:10 +0000

A panel of general counsel discuss corporate social media policies and the need for crisis communications plans during the American Bar Association Section of Litigation’s Annual Conference April 25 in Chicago.

Patricia Lee Refo of Snell & Wilmer moderated the forum, which included Cornell Boggs, senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, Dow Chemical Corporation; Barbara Daniele, senior vice president and general counsel, GE Capital Americas; Jeannie Frey, senior vice president, chief legal officer/general counsel, Presence Health; Randy E. Hayman, general counsel, District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority; and Dennis F. Kerrigan Jr., general counsel, Zurich North America.

Section of Litigation 2013 Annual Conference: General Counsel Share Insights on Cybersecurity

John — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:06:22 +0000

A panel of general counsel discuss how adoption of new technology triggers ethical issues, impacts risk management and reshapes the legal representation of corporations. Panelists spoke during the American Bar Assocation Section of Litigation’s Annual Conference April 25 in Chicago.

Negotiation Expert Feinberg on High-Profile Dispute Resolution, Compensation for Boston Marathon Bombing

John — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:30:10 +0000

Kenneth R. Feinberg, administrator of One Fund Boston, a compensation program designed to aid victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, explains the best practices for resolving high-profile disputes through mediation, during a April 24 luncheon address at the American Bar Association’s “80th Anniversary Joint Spring Meeting & CLE Forum” hosted by the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section and Judicial Division.

Feinberg has been central to resolving many of our nation’s most difficult and widely known disputes, including those involving the Sept. 11^th Victim Compensation Fund. Of his most recent undertaking, Feinberg said that One Fund Boston raised $20 million dollars in one week. Eligible victims should receive their portion by July 4.

This video is an excerpt of his speech during the program.

ABA Day 2013: Grassroots Advocacy Award Honors Two Lawyers

John — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:24:32 +0000

Kevin L. Shepherd of Venable LLP in Baltimore and William K. Weisenberg of the Ohio State Bar Association receive the American Bar Association Grassroots Advocacy Award April 16 from ABA President Laurel Bellows during ABA Day 2013 in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes the honorees’ dedication to the justice system and legal profession.

ABA Day brings distinguished lawyers from 50 states to the nation’s capital to discuss with lawmakers key issues such as funding for the Legal Services Corporation and federal judicial vacancies.

ABA President Urges Passage of Equal Paycheck Fairness Act at Equal Pay Day Rally

John — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:27:13 +0000

ABA President Laurel Bellows takes center stage with U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and other women leaders from Illinois at an Equal Pay Day rally April 9 in Chicago.

“Now is the time for men and women across the country to insist on pay equity,” says Bellows. “Two-income families are the backbone of our economy. Women are working to support their families either as the single head of household or as a partner. Unequal pay impacts men, women and children.”