International Law Section Technology
The Section provides several technology resources to assist leadership in communicating with membership. The Section provides each committee, task force, and working group with a Web site and Listserve. This page reviews relevant policies and technology resources available to Section leaders, contains technology-focused frequently-asked questions, and provides information on the Section's Technology Committee.
Relevant Policies and Technology FAQ
The Section has adopted acceptable usage policies for Section listserves. The Section also has adopted a policy addressing internet links to non-Section websites. Click on the relevant subject, below, to view such policy.
Listserve
Acceptable Usage Policy
Internet
Links Policy
If you are having difficulty with the Section's technology resources, click on Technology Frequently-Asked Questions for answers to common technology-related questions.
Who's Who in Section Technology
Section Technology Officer
A Section Officer, the Technology Officer serves as the Section's chief technology officer. The Technology Officer's responsibilities include, inter alia: (a) developing the Section's technology policies; (b) implementing such policies; (c) representing the Section on the ABA-wide Technology Section Officer's Conference; (d) chairing the Section's Technology Committee; (e) ensuring that Section technology resources are leveraged correctly as to further the Section's goals; (f) working to place timely, relevant, and valuable content on various Section sites; and (g) overseeing the activities of the members of the Section's Technology Committee. The Section's incumbent Technology Officer is Jason Matechak, who may be contacted at jmatechak@reedsmith.com.
Section Technology and Communications Coordinator
A staff member, the Section's Technology and Communications Coordinator serves as Section staff's senior and primary technology contact. The Technology and Communications Coordinator's responsibilities include, inter alia: (a) posting content to relevant committee websites; (b) developing websites for use in connection with Section seasonal meetings and the Section's programs at the ABA Annual Meeting; (c) ensuring a consistent look-and-feel across all Section websites; (d) developing and upgrading Section e-newsletters and other forms of electronic communications; (e) assisting in implementing Section technology policies; (f) assisting the Section Publications Board in the discharge of its duties; and (g) keeping the Section homepage updated. The Section's Technology and Communications Coordinator is Adam Vogel, who can be reached at vogela@staff.abanet.org.
Section Technology Committee
The Section's Technology Committee (TechComm) is an appointed committee within the Section. TechComm's goal is to provide a single technology point of contact for each committee and its members are appointed for one-year terms (although they may be reappointed an unlimited number of times). Section members interested in volunteering for TechComm should contact directly the Section's Technology Officer.
Among other tasks, TechComm members liaise between a committee's leadership team and the Section Technology and Communications Coordinator to facilitate development and posting of content items to that committee's website. A committee's assigned TechComm member also manages the committee's listserve. As with members of any Section committee, TechComm members are volunteers.
Interested in joining the Technology Committee?
The Section's Technology Committee is seeking volunteers to join the committee and help the Section better leverage its technology resources. Members of the Technology Committee are assigned to substantive Section committees to facilitate website postings, manage committee listserves, and support Webboard usage. The Technology Committee is a good opportunity for new and young lawyers, non-U.S. lawyers, and U.S. lawyers practicing abroad to get active in the Section.
No special technology experience or expertise is required to join the Technology Committee. The Section's Technology Officer will provide necessary training to new volunteers, and refreshers to existing members. If you are interested in volunteering to join the Section's Technology Committee, email Jason Matechak, Section Technology Officer, at jmatechak@reedsmith.com.
Technology FAQs
Does each committee and task force have a website?
Yes, each Section committee and task force has its own webpage. Click here to find a roster of committee and task force websites.
Is there a template for committee websites?
Yes. As a template, each committees website is comprised of four (4) pages: (a) committee home; (b) programs; (c) library; and (d) Internet links. This template can be modified to suit a committee/task forces needs and is not intended to restrict any online innovation, just to provide a baseline of content that committees should develop and publish online.
What should be on my committee's homepage?
The committee homepage serves to introduce visitors to that committees focus area, leadership group, and news items. Incoming committee leaders should send an updated committee focus statement to the Section Technology Officer and Section Technology and Communications Coordinator as soon as possible before the commencement of the ABA year (September 1) in which they will serve.
How can I update information contained in the Sections leadership directory and on my committee's homepage?
Contact Tally White, the Section's Committee Coordinator at whitet@staff.abanet.org.
What should be on my committee's programs page?
A committee programs page should be both prospective and retrospective in providing information about committee programs, including programs held at a Section Seasonal Meeting and the ABA Annual Meeting, for the preceding and upcoming year.
Outside of the Section Seasonal Meeting and ABA Annual Meeting contexts, committee leaders should liaise with the Section's Meetings Coordinator to plan such programs and draft publicity materials. Committee leaders are to use Section-developed templates for program publicity. Committee leaders may distribute such program materials to their committee listserve and may contact leaders of other committees to ask permission to send such publicity through that committee's listserve. Only Section staff may send program publicity materials to the general Section listserve or the INTLAWLEADERS listserve. Committee leaders are to use their own discretion in publicizing their program outside of the Section, whether to another ABA group or outside the ABA.
For past programs outside of the Section Seasonal Meeting and ABA Annual Meeting context, the committee programs page should include a brief report about the program, including dates, speakers, and issues discussed. Such document should be made publicly available.
Programs held or to be held at a Section Seasonal Meeting and the ABA Annual Meeting are to be developed and publicized as provided by the Chair(s) of each respective meeting.
What should be on my committee's library page?
The committee library page should host (a) International Law News articles drafted by a member of such committee; (b) draft versions of that committee's Year-in-Review article, both for the current year and for the previous two (2) years; and (c) items, written by members of such committee or otherwise, within that committee's focus area. The Section prohibits the posting of legal updates or other articles developed by law firms.
Can my committee develop a newsletter?
The Section strongly encourages each committee to draft and distribute a monthly newsletter covering committee programs, publications, topical legal developments, and modifications to the committee's website. Such newsletter should be posted to the committee publications page, and an email with a link to the posted newsletter should be sent to that committee's listserve.
What should be on my committee's Internet links page?
The Section encourages each committee to develop a page of Internet links topical to their committee's focus area. Such links could be to relevant government and non-government entities and other legal websites. The Section's internet links policy may be accessed by clicking here.
How can website content be updated?
The Section's Technology and Communications Coordinator acts as the Section's Webmaster and performs the actual content posting to the Section's websites. Members of the Technology Committee (TechComm) serve as a bridge between committee leadership and the Section's Technology and Communications Coordinator. One TechComm member is assigned to each committee and task force. Each committee leader may submit an item to be posted to that committee's website. The TechComm assignee is to review the item to be posted and, unless the item is clearly off-topic or otherwise inappropriate, contact the Section's Technology and Communications Coordinator to arrange posting. If an item appears to be off-topic or otherwise inappropriate for posting, the TechComm member assigned to the committee in question should send an email to that committee's leadership group detailing the context of the posting request and the grounds giving rise to the belief an item is off-topic or otherwise inappropriate for posting. In such a circumstance, the item is to be held for posting, pending a decision by that committee's chair/co-chairs group. After a decision is made, the committee's chair/co-chairs should email the TechComm member of their decision as to posting.
Does each Sectional Seasonal Meeting have a website?
Yes. The Section maintains websites for each Section Seasonal Meeting and for the Section's meetings at the ABA Annual Meeting. Such websites go "live" as soon as practicable before such meeting and contain programs and registration information.
Who is my committee's TechComm liaison?
A roster of TechComm liaisons can be found by clicking here.
What content should we post to our committee's site?
Each committee website should have timely, appropriate, and valuable content posted to their site. The Section's goal is that committee websites be regarded as the "go-to" site for legal information within the committee's focus area.
Is there a preferred format for website content?
We ask that documents to be posted to the Section site be in Adobe Acrobat, *.PDF, format. The Section name and logo should be on the top of the first page of such item, with the name and logo repeated in the header of each subsequent page. TechComm members and the Section's Technology and Communications Coordinator should ensure that items are formatted properly.
Can we have foreign language content on Section sites?
While we can host content that contains non-Roman symbols, such as Chinese language content within a *.pdf file, we have limited ability to put non-Roman symbols directly on to Section webpages.
How can I log in to the Member's Only portion of the website?
Use the username and password provided to you by the ABA when you joined or renewed your membership.
What do I do if I can't remember my username or password to log in to the Members-Only portion of the website?
Call the ABA Service Center at (800) 285-2221.
Does my committee have a listserve?
Yes. The Section maintains a listserve for each committee and task force, as well as listserves for other interest groups within the Section. Click here for a list of listserves.
What is the difference between a "general" and "restricted" listserve?
The Section divides listserves into two main groups: (1) general listserves, theoretically open to any subscriber; and (2) restricted listserves, restricted to specific individuals, such as leadership. The listserves for the Section's leadership (intlawleaders@mail.abanet.org) and for the Section's Council (intcouncil@mail.abanet.org) are examples of the latter type of listserve as subscribers are a selected, circumscribed group.
What is the INTLAWLEADERS listserve?
The INTLAWLEADERS listserve is a listserve restricted to Section staff and Section leadership; this listserve is primarily to be used by Section staff to communicate with Section leadership and for Section leadership to communicate with each other on matters of general Section interest. The INTLAWLEADERS listserve should not be used to (a) distribute materials connected with a committee-specific activity, unless distributed by Section staff; (b) publicize upcoming committee-specific programs, unless distributed by Section staff; or (c) make postings violative of the Section's listserve acceptable usage guidelines. Unless absolutely necessary, do not use the "reply to all" button when responding to messages sent through the INTLAWLEADERS listserve.
Is there Section policy on listserve usage?
Yes. The Section has adopted a listserve acceptable usage policy to describe the proper use of and prohibited conduct on Section listserves. Click here to see the Listserve Acceptable Usage policy.
What is an "open," "closed" or "open but moderated" listserve?
General listserves may be open, closed or open but moderated: (a) Open: anyone (SILP member, ABA non-SILP member or non-ABA member) may join the listserve and post messages. While any individual may join a listserve in this scenario, only listserve members may post to a listserve. Under this option, archived messages are open to the public; (b) Closed: a listserve owner (a committee technology manager) must approve potential listserve members. Access to the listserve archives is password-protected. Only approved members may post or receive emails to or from a closed listserve; (c) Open But Moderated: As with the "open" option, any person may join the listserve. However, in this option, the listserve manager has oversight as to what messages will be posted. Archived messages are publicly available to members and non-members alike.
Who decides whether a general listserve is "open," "closed" or "open but moderated"?
Each committee's leadership is empowered to decide whether their listserve is to be open, closed or open but moderated. In making this decision, committee leaders are encouraged to be mindful that historically, committees have derived value from non-member participation in their listserve. Further, there may be a clear recruitment benefit in maintaining open listserves.
Who is my committee's listserve manager?
The TechComm liaison assigned to your committee is your committee's listserve manager. Click here for a TechComm roster.
What is a listserve welcome message?
Each new listserve subscriber receives an automated notice from the ABA's listserve software directing such subscriber on how to use the listserve. Such message is impersonal and the Section asks each committee's leadership to draft a welcome message to be sent by the ABA's listserve software to new subscribers. Committee leaders should work with their TechComm liaison to post such welcome message.
Are there archives of messages sent through listserves?
Yes, and your committee's TechComm liaison can access such archives.
As a committee leader, what are my technology-related responsibilities?
As soon as possible before the start of the ABA year, committee leaders should have drafted (a) their committee's mission statement for posting on the committee's homepage; (b) welcome message to new listserve subscribers; and (c) welcome message to new committee members. Such content should be directed to that committee's TechComm assignee for posting. Further, as soon as possible before the start of the ABA year, committee leaders should decide whether their listserve should be open, open but moderated or closed. Committee leaders should inform, via email, the Section Technology Officer and Section Technology and Communications Coordinator of this decision.
As an ongoing responsibility, committee leaders should ensure that timely, valuable and topical content is submitted for posting to their website. Further, committee leaders should take steps to ensure that their listserve is active with interesting, topical, and appropriate discussion. Committee leaders also should better leverage the Webboard in discharging their duties.
It is important to note that the degree to which committee leaders use and leverage the technology resources provided by the Section will factor in the Section appointments process.
How can we publicize upcoming events through Section listserves?
Only Section staff may send program publicity materials to the general Section listserve or the INTLAWLEADERS listserve. Committee leaders are to use their own discretion in publicizing their program outside of the Section, whether to another ABA group or outside the ABA.
Who is the Section Technology Officer?
A Section Officer, the Technology Officer serves as the Section's chief technology officer. The Technology Officer's responsibilities include, inter alia: (a) developing the Section's technology policies; (b) implementing such policies; (c) representing the Section on the ABA-wide Technology Section Officer's Conference; (d) chairing the Section's Technology Committee; (e) ensuring that Section technology resources are leveraged correctly as to further the Section's goals; (f) working to place timely, relevant, and valuable content on various Section sites; and (g) overseeing the activities of the members of the Section's Technology Committee. The Section's incumbent Technology Officer is Jason Matechak, who may be contacted at jmatechak@reedsmith.com.
Who is the Section's Technology and Communications Coordinator?
A staff member, the Section's Technology and Communications Coordinator serves as Section staff's senior and primary technology contact. The Technology and Communications Coordinator's responsibilities include, inter alia: (a) posting content to relevant committee websites; (b) developing websites for use in connection with Section seasonal meetings and the Section's programs at the ABA Annual Meeting; (c) ensuring a consistent look-and-feel across all Section websites; (d) developing and upgrading Section e-newsletters and other forms of electronic communications; (e) assisting in implementing Section technology policies; (f) assisting the Section Publications Board in the discharge of its duties; and (g) keeping the Section homepage updated. The Section's Technology and Communications Coordinator position is currently vacant. Please direct all related inquiries to Tally White who can be reached at whitet@staff.abanet.org.
What is TechComm?
The Section's Technology Committee (TechComm) is an appointed committee within the Section. TechComm's goal is to provide a single technology point of contact for each committee and its members are appointed for one-year terms (although they may be reappointed an unlimited number of times). Section members interested in volunteering for TechComm should contact directly the Section's Technology Officer.
Among other tasks, TechComm members liaise between a committee's leadership team and the Section Technology and Communications Coordinator to facilitate development and posting of content items to that committee's website. A committee's assigned TechComm member also manages the committee's listserve. As with members of any Section committee, TechComm members are volunteers. A TechComm roster can be accessed by clicking here.
How can we arrange for teleconferences?
Contact Tally White, the Section's Committee Coordinator at whitet@staff.abanet.org
Can we host webcasts?
Unfortunately, ABA technology resources don't allow for webcasts at this time.
How can I join a committee?
Section members may join as many committees as they wish, at no charge. Section members should click here to join the committee(s) of their choice.
How can I join the ABA? How can I join the Section?
Click here to join the ABA online. Follow the instructions to join the Section.
Is there a roster of Section staff online?
Yes. Click here for the Section staff roster.
What states currently approve MCLE credit for TeleConferences/Live audio webcasts?
See the below chart:
Alabama ** |
Louisiana** |
Oklahoma ** |
*Non-transitional
- approved for experienced
NY licensed attorneys
** These states accept teleconferences for mandatory CLE credit. States may differ. Restrictions and guidelines may apply. For further information on your state MCLE requirements, contact your state regulatory entity.
