Welcome to the Lawyers Conference. The Lawyers Conference is the home within the Judicial Division for private practitioners, court administrators, academics, law students and other legal professionals. The Conference provides a forum for interaction with members of the judiciary to improve the administration of justice, the courts and the judicial process, to advance confidence in the judiciary, and to promote a diverse and adequately funded justice system.
The Lawyers Conference is one of the six Conferences within the American Bar Association (ABA) Judicial Division (JD). The Lawyers Conference works with the other five JD Conferences including the Appellate Judges Conference, National Conference of the Administrative Law Judiciary, National Conference of Federal Trial Judges, National Conference of Specialized Court Judges, and the National Conference of State Trial Judges to:
- Assist in educating lawyers, judges and the public in judicial administration issues and techniques;
- Achieve the highest standards of professionalism, competence and ethical conduct, including the enhancement of the quality and effectiveness of judges;
- Develop solutions to problems that arise when the needs of lawyers differ from the needs of judges and courts;
- Cultivate diversity in the judiciary and the profession and foster greater understanding between the races;
- Represent the interests of practicing lawyers and court administrators in the activities, services, and deliberations of the Judicial Division.
I encourage you to take an active role in the Lawyers Conference. Active participation gives the greatest rewards including: sharing your experiences and expertise; enhancing your professional development; broadening your perspective; building a nationwide network of colleagues and friends; and working for the common good of your profession. In addition, we offer quality publications, CLE programs, and an array of resources. Any ABA member can join the Lawyers Conference for just $35. You will find membership both professionally rewarding and personally enriching.
This year (2009-2010) we will build on the groundbreaking project initiated by last year’s chair, Judge Michael B. Hyman. We plan to implement regional programs that will bring together a broad spectrum of representatives of our local communities to talk about the gap that exists between perceptions on the issue of racial bias in the courts. In addition to the perceptions project, we will be working this coming year on a variety of other issues relating to the judiciary including judicial independence, judicial compensation and funding of the courts, and jury trials.
The Lawyers Conference is anxious to work with you and serve you. I welcome your input and involvement and invite you to share your ideas and suggestions to help make the Lawyers Conference even more productive, fulfilling, and effective. Please drop me an e-mail at nellis@hunton.com or contact a member of the Judicial Division staff at 800.238.2667, extension 6259 for more information.
L. Neal Ellis, Chair
As an active judge in the ABA Judicial Division, the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) would like to offer you free membership in the Section. TIPS addresses the issues that are important to you, such as fair and impartial courts and judicial pay restoration. TIPS is also one of the most trusted sources of knowledge and leadership on critical issues of justice and the legislative and regulatory laws that affect the tort and insurance practice areas.
To join TIPS at no charge, call the ABA service Center at 800.285.2221 and provide the code DIL9MJU2. For more information contact Linda Wiley, TIPS Membership Specialist or call 312.988.5673 or 800.238.2667.This one year complimentary section membership is available to Judges who are Lawyer Members of the ABA. You may enroll in once complimentary section during the ABA Membership year. Your complimentary membership in TIPS will end at the end of the ABA Membership year, August 31st, 2010. At that time, your TIPS membership will automatically renew and you will be billed for the 2010-2011 Section dues. If you choose not to renew, simply cancel the Section when you send back your invoice, or call 1.800.285.2221.
Sign-up for the Judicial Voice, a directory of speakers who are Judicial Division members. Showcase your professional expertise and advance your career by participating in this new, member-only resource. Utilize this directory for planning conferences, teleconferences, and other educational programming for which there are speaker opportunities. If you are interested in finding a speaker using the Judicial Voice directory, please contact Lauren Silverstein by e-mail or by calling 312.988.5705.
Important voting information including information on how to register to vote. Click here for more information.
Midyear Meeting
February 4-7, 2010
Orlando, FL
Perceptions of Justice: A Town Hall Dialogue on Color, Ethnicity and the Courts
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
441 4th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
Perceptions of Justice
Thursday, August 5, 2010
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Golden Gate University
San Francisco, CA
Model Code of Judicial ConductThe Judicial Division Lawyers Conference is composed of lawyers, judges, court managers, legal teachers, writers and publishers, and law students. The Lawyers Conference is composed of both judicial and non-judicial members.
The Lawyers Conference of the Judicial Division provides a forum for attorneys and law students to interact with members of the judiciary and the community; to improve the administration of justice; to advance confidence in the judiciary; and to promote a diverse and adequately funded justice system.
Yegge Award recipient Justice Rebecca Love Kourlis and the Lawyers Conference are highligted in the following article, IAALS: Bringing America’s Civil Justice System into the 21st Century.
Gloria Wilson Shelton, speaks about mentoring minority law school students. Read about it here.
