Co-Sponsored Programs
Thursday, July 30
Presidential Showcase Program
“The Credit Crisis” – How Compensation Practices Adversely Affect the Advancement of Women and Minorities in the Law, and How We Must Change Them (CLE)
10:30 am–12:00 pm
Crystal Ballroom A, Green Level, West Tower, Hyatt Regency Chicago
In the wake of today's economic turmoil, receiving fair "credit" for your contributions has never been more important in the practice of law. Yet, the latest research shows a divide between these shared expectations, amongst even the most well meaning attorneys, and the stark realities of longstanding reward systems in this country's law firms. This CLE Showcase program will explore the extent to which present practices within our profession—such as pitching and assigning work, "counting credit," measuring contributions, and "passing on" clients—account for a disproportionate allocation of money and power. In response to this new data, a panel of general counsels and managing partners will address how to change these practices in order to improve the advancement of women and minorities in our profession.
Primary Sponsor: ABA Law Practice Management Section
Co-sponsor: ABA Commission on Women in the Profession
Co-sponsor: ABA Section of Litigation Woman Advocate Committee
Friday, July 31
Making Rain During a Drought: Business Development in Tough Economic Times (CLE)
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Crystal Ballroom A, Green Level, West Tower, Hyatt Regency Chicago
Developing new business or retaining the business you currently have is more important than ever in these difficult economic times. Sara Holtz, one of the nation's premier business-development coaches, who focuses her practice on women lawyers, will lay out seven key strategies to allow you and your practice to thrive even though those around you may not be.
Primary Sponsor: ABA Law Practice Management Section
Co-sponsor: ABA Section of Litigation Woman Advocate Committee
Saturday, August 1
Justice is the Business of Government: The Summit and Beyond (CLE)
10:00 am–12:00 pm
Zurich, Salon B, Concourse Level, Event Centre, Swissotel
This program will describe and present highlights of the ABA's Summit on Fair and Impartial State Courts. Recommendations will cover funding of the justice system to insure adequate resources for the judicial branch; the future of improved interbranch relations as impacting the justice and judicial systems; changing role of the state courts; and the institutional legitimacy of the state courts.
Primary Sponsor: ABA Presidential Commission on Fair and Impartial State Courts
May the Source be with You: The Debate Over Journalists and a Federal Shield Law (CLE)
10:30 am–12:00 pm
Regency Ballroom D, Gold Level, West Tower, Hyatt Regency Chicago
Throughout history, reporters have relied on confidential sources to develop stories and expose information important to the public. The debate over whether journalists should be protected from revealing these sources under shield laws has been ongoing for decades. Currently, there is no federal shield law and state laws vary significantly in scope. Opponents believe these laws afford extra privileges to journalists and that no citizen should be able to ignore a court ordered subpoena. Proponents of shield laws argue that they ensure that news gatherers are able to perform their jobs to their fullest ability and that they help avoid conflicts between state laws and journalistic ethics. They also argue that a federal shield law is necessary to protect journalists in federal courts.
Primary Sponsor: ABA Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities
Government Litigators in the New Administration: How Far Must They Go to Seek Justice? (CLE)
3:45 pm– 5:15 pm
Grand Ballroom E, Gold Level, East Tower, Hyatt Regency Chicago
Both criminal prosecutors and civil government litigators are said to have a duty to "seek justice." But the concept of "seeking justice" is ill-defined, and it is unclear whether, and to what extent, the amorphous duty includes obligations of candor and restraint that are not explicitly codified in rules of professional responsibility and other law. Through an interactive discussion of hypothetical cases, the panel and the audience will explore how, ethically and professionally, the duty to "seek justice" sets government litigators apart from lawyers litigating on behalf of private clients and potentially establishes different professional expectations for government litigators.
Primary Sponsor: ABA Criminal Justice Section
Sunday, August 2
Presidential Showcase Program
Blogomania: User-generated Content and the New Media Revolution (CLE)
10:30 am–12:00 pm
Regency Ballroom D, Gold Level, West Tower, Hyatt Regency Chicago
User-generated content (UGC) is all over the Internet. Companies that allow third parties to communicate on their websites open themselves up to certain risks, however. Learn how to manage those risks, and where potential liabilities still remain. Specific topics will include:
- Understanding the legal framework: what you must know about the DMCA
- Recent cases
- Engaging in a successful UGC contest
- Knowing when, how and when not to monitor UGC
- Avoiding IP infringement pitfalls
- Special concerns when allowing children to engage in social networking, blogging and e-mailing
- Ensuring COPPA compliance
Primary Sponsor: ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law
