ABA Section of Business Law

Joint ventures

Section gets connected

Through monthly ABA Journal articles and 60-minute companion teleconferences, the ABA is delivering substantive, convenient, continuing legal education opportunities to lawyers on the topical, legal issues of the day — at no cost to members. This series — called the ABA Connection — is a joint project of the ABA Center for Continuing Legal Education, ABA Membership and the ABA Journal. It is designed to provide lawyers with substantive information ranging from health-care issues to juvenile rights to litigation management.

The Section is cosponsoring ABA Connection programs in April and June, which will focus on topics relevant to business lawyers. The April program, "New Developments in Securities Law," will convene April 18, at 1 p.m. Eastern. This teleconference looks at some of the recent developments in the securities area, what their hidden dangers are, and how lawyers can try to address them once they’ve blown up in a client’s face — or their own. In particular, this teleconference will discuss what causes of action are available against brokers and other professionals in the securities field.

The June ABA Connection, "New Issues in Employee Benefits," will convene June 20, at 1 p.m. Eastern. Recent decisions in the U.S. Supreme Court and lower courts have altered the law regarding employee benefit claims processing, primarily in accordance with ERISA. Issues involved are restrictions on discovery, failure to disclose financial incentives and drawing distinctions between plan decisions that will be given deference and those that will not. In other developments, malpractice and benefit claims have been blurred, and state claims have been revived.

These matters can potentially affect every working person and are likely to come up for lawyers in general practice as well as those who represent corporations and practice employment law. You don’t want to miss this timely and informative session. Registration is simple — just call the ABA Service Center at 800/285-2221 or register online at www.abanet.org/CLE/connectreg..

ABA book for business lawyers

Several Section members contributed to the new ABA publication, Legal Guide for Small Business — a great resource for the public and an excellent promotional opportunity for business lawyers. This new book gives readers insights into the law that affects all aspects of small business, from start-up issues to day-to-day operations and selling the business or passing it on to beneficiaries.

Because it alerts readers to hundreds of potential legal issues, it will help both new and established business owners understand how getting timely legal advice can add to their business’ bottom line.

"The book stresses that law is deeply involved in everything a businessperson does," says Allan Tanenbaum, chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Public Education. "Anyone reading this book will understand that the law has a powerful impact on business every day. I intend to give this book to a number of my clients. It will help them understand the legal dimensions of business and let them know how contacting their lawyer before a problem becomes major can save time, money and stress."

You can order the 500-page paperback book for just $13 (ABA member price) by calling the ABA Service Center at 800/285-2221.

Young lawyers

Getting young lawyers actively involved in the Section is an important initiative.

In addition to sponsoring the Business Law Fellows Program and other activities to enhance participation, the Section has embraced opportunities to cosponsor programs and events with the Young Lawyers Division.

Such events include the YLD Affiliate Outreach Program (AOP) conferences. The AOP conferences are important events for young lawyers: They focus on innovative programming — including public service, bar leadership, member service, professional development and continuing legal education.

The 2001 Spring Conference will be held May 10-13, 2001, in Anchorage, Alaska. Don’t miss it. For more details, including registration, call 312/988-5629 or go to www.abanet.org/yld/spring01/home..

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