More than two thousand lawyers, judges and other legal professionals will gather in Atlanta Feb. 9-14 for the American Bar Association 2011 Midyear Meeting. Among the many topics for discussion are the nationwide court underfunding crisis, growth of alternative billing methods, and varying perceptions of fairness in the justice system among minorities.
Initiatives to improve Georgia's juvenile court system, perceptions of the justice system in minority communities, the loss of African-American land through heir property rights and the disproportionate impact of foreclosures on minorities are chief among issues that will be explored at the Midyear Meeting.
Many high-profile guests are scheduled to speak at the Meeting, including Rep. John Lewis (D-GA); Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogletree; Georgia Supreme Court Justice Robert Benham; David Boies of Boies, Schiller & Flexner, LLP; Theodore B. Olson of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP; and a panel of general counsel from top Fortune 500 companies. In addition to diversity and perceptions of the justice system, programs will focus on legal topics and issues involving the practice of law, including value billing and success-based fees.
The 560-member House of Delegates, the association's policymaking body, will meet on Feb 14 at the meeting headquarters, Marriott Atlanta Marquis, in the Atrium Ballroom, Atrium Level. In addition to considering policy recommendations and voting on resolutions, the House of Delegates will hear from Rep. John Lewis.
Among the many resolutions before the House are two related to juvenile court proceedings and their consequences, 107B and 104D, one in support of the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act, resolution 109A, and others related to legal education, bullying and judicial disqualification.
The provision of post-duty support for veterans, including mental health, physical health and employment assistance is chief among military and veterans' law issues that will be explored at the Midyear Meeting.
With high-profile speakers, essential legal programs and insightful debate on critical law and public policy issues, the ABA Midyear Meeting is the nation's premier gathering of legal professionals. Presenters include Rep. John Lewis (D-GA); Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogletree; Georgia Supreme Court Justice Robert Benham; David Boies of Boies, Schiller & Flexner, LLP; Theodore B. Olson of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP; and a panel of general counsel from top Fortune 500 companies.
The Midyear Meeting will also feature the presentation of the 2011 Raymond Page and Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Bar Association Council for Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Educational Pipeline to Kenneth G. Standard, a New York-based labor and employment lawyer.
The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented Friday, Feb. 11 during a reception at the Marriott Marquis, Atlanta. The reception is part of the 2011 ABA Midyear Meeting, taking place Feb. 9 - 14.
Standard, general counsel to law firm Epstein, Becker and Green, was selected because of his lifelong dedication to increasing diversity in the legal profession, particularly among law students. He has demonstrated considerable leadership in addressing diversity issues, not only as a legal practitioner, but also as a former member of the ABA's Diversity Pipeline Council.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes lifelong efforts to increase diversity in educational pipeline to the legal profession. Standard is the first to receive the recognition from the ABA Pipeline Council.
Published: Mon, Jan 31, 2011
