One of the more controversial items coming out of the ABA is the decision of the ABA Journal late last year to declare Alberto Gonzales as its "2007 Lawyer of the Year". Needless to say, this did not sit well with many ABA members, or (I daresay) with many potential Section members that so many of our current members are hard at work trying to recruit to the Section. One of the problems is that the choice was made by staff members on the ABA Journal, and contrary to what you might think, it is not necessarily an award that recognizes good works. The Journal has since explained that the award is simply meant to recognize the lawyer who has created the most news coverage during the year. On the chance that you are on the receiving end of any negative bounce-back about this, you may want to have this explanation ready.

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Law Student Trial Advocacy Finalists Take Chicago by Storm

Committee co-chairs, Section member volunteer judges and evaluators, and Section staff members are awaiting with bated breath the final outcome of a hotly-contested student trial advocacy competition over religious zealotry in the workplace. The finals, being held the weekend of January 25-26, are the first national finals in the ever-expanding annual trial advocacy competition, with eight schools vying for best in the nation.

Our student finalists will face off at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse, the scene of many recent landmark cases including the notorious "Family Secrets" Chicago mob trial. There they will battle through a round of three cases, taking turns as both plaintiff and defense until two law school team finalists emerge to compete in the exciting and grueling final.

For an in-depth article, read "Trial Advocacy Winners Advance to First-Ever National Finals" on page 14 in LEL Section's Winter newsletter.

As a part of its Hot Topic series, the Flash will highlight at least one special substantive presentation from the Annual CLE each month leading up to the Colorado Conference.

"When an employee faces a significant medical condition, it is obviously a challenging personal issue for the employee, but as practitioners in the employment law and human resources fields are acutely aware, complicated legal issues are also presented. An employer must navigate a myriad of statutes, each with different purposes, coverages, requirements, and rights. This network of statutes may give rise to overlapping, undefined, and contrary obligations."

Navigating Rough Waters: The Confluence of the ADA/FMLA And Workers' Compensation Laws | David W. Garland and Jill Turner Lever

Overlaps and Gaps in Disability Rights, Family Medical Leave, and Workers' Compensation Laws | Michael C. Subit

The Interplay Between the ADA, the FMLA, Workers' Compensation and Health Care Reforms | Darlene A. Vorachek

This committee's scope of concern involves all significant public sector labor relations issues. Each year, members publish an annual report focusing on case law and bargaining developments in the following substantive and procedural areas: grievance arbitration; constitutional issues; bargaining unit determination; the resolution of interest disputes; duty of fair representation; scope of bargaining; practice and procedure; and special problems affecting the negotiating process.

State & Local Government Bargaining and Employment Law Committee Midwinter Meeting
January 31, 2008 - February 02, 2008

• Program Home
• Online Registration
• Mail Registration