2008 SPRING MEETING – FIRST TIME ATTENDEES AND LAW STUDENTS

Everything you need to know about the International Law 2008 Spring Meeting

WELCOME!  ABA International is excited that you are considering attending the 2008 Spring Meeting, April 1-5 in New York City.  We have planned a full slate of programming, luncheons, top notch speakers and evening events you will not want to miss!  The Section is expecting over 1,200 international lawyers, practitioners, government academics and law students from all over the world.

Get a head start networking and meeting other young lawyers and law students attending the Spring Meeting by joining the Facebook Group:  http://nova.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20413670650.

 

2008 Spring Meeting Location:

The Grand Hyatt Hotel
Grand Central Station
109 East 42nd Street,
New York, NY 10017

As Spring Meeting Co-Chair’s, we were once in your shoes as law students and/or first time attendees to the International Spring Meeting.  Knowing how overwhelming a meeting like this can be, we have put careful thought into our law student registration fees, creating programs specifically directed towards law students and plenty of opportunities to network and become more involved with the Section.

The 2008 Spring Meeting has provided a special discounted law student meeting rate of $95 (section members) and $125 (non-section members), for a limited time only! This early bird rate will expire on February 22nd.  To Register click HERE!

Must-Attend Programs!

4/2/08 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm - Pathways to Employment in International Law, Young Lawyers Law Practice Tracks.
The Pathways to Employment in International Law Program is a unique forum that brings law students and new lawyers together with experienced legal practitioners to explore opportunities for employment in international law.  Speakers give advice and guidance on gaining practical experience and improving legal networking skills, as well as sharing their own paths to careers in international law.

Events not to miss!

The Section has provided complimentary ticketed events at the Spring Meeting.  We highly recommend you take advantage of some or all of these events.  There will be several Section leaders present at these events that are excited to meet you!

Helpful Hint! Purchase your tickets in advance!  Most events sell out and they may not be available to purchase onsite.  Advance registration will receive priority for tickets.  Tickets to all events may be purchased online at the following link, www.abanet.org/intlaw/spring08. Tickets are non-refundable within the 72 hours preceding the event or after it has taken place.

• Tuesday, CIT & CAFC Swearing-In Ceremony, Meeting attendees will have the opportunity to be admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Only Spring Meeting registrants may be sworn in at this ceremony. Fees for admission will be payable by interested registrants to the courts. Attendance is open to registrants’ guests.
• If you are interested in being admitted to practice before the CIT and the CAFC, please check the correct box on the Spring Meeting registration form. On-site registration for this ceremony is not available.
• Tuesday, WIN/WING Pre-Meeting Program/Reception at The Grand Hyatt Hotel, FREE Ticketed Event
• Wednesday, Special Breakfast Program Presentation on the International Bar Association’s Task Force on Extraterritorial Jurisdiction
• Wednesday, Thursday & Friday Luncheons with Distinguished Speakers @ $110 per person
• Wednesday, Young Lawyer, Law Student, First Time Attendee Reception at The Grand Hyatt Hotel, FREE
• Wednesday Chair’s Latin American/Caribbean Sunset Reception at The Grand Hyatt Hotel @ $95 per person
• Wednesday, AIJA Cocktail Reception at Butterfield 8 (5 East 38th St). FREE to all Spring Meeting Attendees, RSVP to Christoph Raudonat at Christoph.Raudonat@aija.org.
• Thursday and Friday, Specialized Committee Breakfasts - Open to all Spring Meeting attendees
• Thursday, Reception at the Rainbow Room, Rockefeller Plaza @ $145 (Black Tie Optional - Includes buffet dinner, live band and dessert)
• Friday, Closing Reception at the Bloomberg Tower - FREE Ticketed Event
• Specialized Committee Dinners - following Friday's Reception
• Friday, After-Hours Reception at Azza Lounge (55th and Lex.) FREE Ticketed Event. This reception is hosted by the Young Lawyers Interest Network and Law Student, LL.M and New Lawyer Outreach Committee and is open to meeting registrants of all ages and experience levels.

YOUNG LAWYERS (36 years old or 5 years practicing) AND LAW STUDENT VOUCHER
We have made available for all young lawyers (36 year's old or 5 year's practicing) and law students a $75 voucher which you can use towards either the Wednesday Night Chair's Latin American/Caribbean Sunset Reception at the Grand Hyatt Hotel or the Thursday Night dinner/dancing at the Rainbow Room. Download the printable registration form and voucher and mail or fax your registration in to Mary Jordan Mullinax, in the Section office at 202.662.1669 or ABA, 740 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 before March 19th.

If you plan to register onsite at the Spring Meeting, please print out the voucher and bring it with you to registration so that we can honor this discount towards the ticketed event of your choice.

NAME BADGES:  Each attendee who registers for the Spring Meeting receives a name badge.  We will note on your badge whether you are a law student or first time attendee so that our Section Leadership can be sure to welcome you.  Your name badge is to be worn at all times during the meeting and at off-site ticketed events. 

HOTEL RESERVATIONS: The Section has booked a block of rooms at The Grand Hyatt Hotel until March 11, 2008 at the special low rate of $285 plus taxes per night. To reserve your accommodation at this hotel, please call 212/883 1234 and refer to the ABA Section of International Law 2008 Spring Meeting.

We have provided a list of lower rate hotels in walking distance to The Grand Hyatt for your convenience.  CLICK HERE to view other hotel options. 
 
JOIN THE ABA & SECTION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW: Be sure to stop by the Section’s exhibit booth located near registration at The Grand Hyatt Hotel for the latest information on committees, publications, upcoming Section events, meetings and to become a member!.

DRESS CODE: For the 2008 Spring Meeting, business casual and business attire are both appropriate. Please note that Thursday Rainbow Room Reception is Black Tie Optional.

WHAT TO BRING: Business Cards, comfortable shoes, your pre-meeting confirmation form.

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING AT THE SPRING MEETING: Contact Jessica Bowman at Bowmanj@staff.abanet.org for more information.

PAST SECTION SPRING MEETINGS:

2007 Spring Meeting – The Fairmont Hotel, Washington, DC, www.abanet.org/intlaw/spring07

2006 Spring Meeting – The Waldorf =Astoria, New York, NYC, www.abanet.org/intlaw/spring06

The meeting offers unparalleled networking opportunities and ways to get involved with the Section, and I encourage all who can to attend. We hope to see you at the 2008 Spring Meeting in April!

IMPORTANT DEADLINE DATES:

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: February 22
PRE-MEETING REGISTRATION: March 19
HOTEL RESERVATION AT THE GRAND HYATT: March 11
MEETING REFUNDS: March 19