Employee Benefits Committee
Midwinter Meeting |
Dear Colleague:
The 2009 Midwinter Meeting of the Employee Benefits Committee will be held at the Charleston Place in Charleston, South Carolina, from February 18 - 21. We look forward to a successful program and are pleased to offer you the following details.
About the Meeting
Join the Section of Labor and Employment Law Employee Benefits Committee for its 2009 Midwinter Meeting at the Charleston Place Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. Located 20 minutes from Charleston International Airport, the Charleston Place hotel is a perfect blend of 18th century style and 21st century comfort. The hotel is located in the heart of Charleston and is famous for its traditional southern hospitality. Enjoy the fantastic facilities and southern charm as you learn the latest developments in the field.
Topics include:
- Latest U.S. Supreme Court Decisions on Remedies and Standards of Review (e.g., Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. v. Glenn; and others)
- Legislative Developments
- Fee Disclosure and Litigation
- DOL, IRS, PBGC Regulations and Rulings
- Impact of the New Administration on Employee Benefits
- Significant Employee Benefits Case Law during 2008
Meeting Registration
The Midwinter Meeting registration fee is $295 for Section members and $375 for non-members. The fees cover meeting materials, attendance at all evening functions, continental breakfasts and refreshment breaks during the meeting. We also are offering special rates of $225 for first-time attendees and $275 per person for three or more attendees from the same firm. The guest registration fee is $125 and includes admission to the evening functions.
You are encouraged to register on-line at www.abanet.org/labor. You also may register by filling out the attached registration form and returning it with your payment by February 2 to the Section office. Registration fees are refundable, less a $50 administrative fee, for cancellations received in the Section Office by February 2, 2009.
Hotel Accommodations and Reservations
We have negotiated special group rates at the Charleston Place of $229 (single or double occupancy). The reservation deadline for the group rate is January 19, 2009. If necessary, cancellations must be made 72 hours prior to the scheduled day of arrival to avoid a one-night cancellation charge. Reservations may be made by calling the Charleston Place at 800-831-3490. Be sure to mention you are attending the "ABA Employee Benefits Committee 2009 Midwinter Meeting" to receive the group rate. A block of rooms has also been reserved at the Doubletree Guest Suites located a short distance from the Charleston Place for $179. Those who wish to reserve a room at this property may do so by calling 877-408-8733 by January 20, 2009.
Air Travel Discounts
The ABA has contracted with American Airlines to provide discounted airfares. Contact American Airlines at 800-433-1790 and reference Discount Code 20348 to obtain the airline discount. Please note that this discount is not available via the airline website.
Ground Transportation
Charleston International Airport is located 10 miles from the Charleston Place and offers jet service from US Airways, Independence Air, Delta, Continental, Northwest Airlines and United Express. Amtrak provides regular passenger service to the Charleston area.
Social Events
Welcome Reception
Wednesday, February 18, 6:00- 7:30 pm. All registrants and their registered guests are invited.
Breakfast for First-Time Attendees/ "Young" Lawyers/ New Employee Benefits Law Lawyers
Thursday, February 19, 7:00- 8:00 am. This event is for lawyers under the age of 40 and lawyers who have practiced Employee Benefits Law for seven or fewer years.
Meet the Leadership Reception
Thursday, February 19, 2:00- 4:00 pm. This event will provide an opportunity for attendees to find out how to get more involved in the Employee Benefits Committee.
USS Yorktown Tea
Thursday, February 19, 6:00- 8:00 pm. Come aboard the USS Yorktown for an evening of networking on this historic ship.
Dine Around
Friday, February 20, 7:00 pm. A Dine-Around has been coordinated at many of Charleston's hottest restaurants. Reservations will be made for groups of 10-20 people.
Hospitality Suites
Join your friends and colleagues on Thursday and Friday evening at the Hospitality Cocktail Parties. The hospitality suites will feature cocktails and light snacks.
Optional Walking Tours
The Charleston Walk
This overview of Charleston's tumultuous past features the Historic District's most significant sights and is the perfect introduction to our city. This comprehensive and entertaining presentation includes accounts of early times in the Carolina colony, Charleston's significant role in the American Revolution and Civil War, as well as the impact of natural disasters and assorted calamities that changed life through the years. This two hour tour truly captures the cultural heritage and historical significance of Charleston.
Cost: $17 Adult / $10 Children (8-14) / No Charge for Children under 8
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 1.25 miles
Schedule: Thursday and Friday at 1:30 pm
Slavery and Freedom Walking Tour
For visitors looking for a tour experience far from ordinary, as well as a better appreciation of the challenges faced and surmounted by African-Americans in the South, you will not want to miss this captivating experience. The thoroughly researched presentation of this fascinating period reveals both the truths and dispels the myths about the African-American experience in Charleston.
Cost: $17 Adult / $10 Children (8-14) / No Charge for Children under 8
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 1.25 miles
Schedule: Thursday and Friday at 1:30 pm
Sponsorship
Again this year we have requested donations to help keep the registration fees as low as possible. All event sponsorship donations received before January 23, 2009 will be acknowledged at the Midwinter Meeting through signage.
| Thursday |
- Blitman & King LLP
- Cohen, Weiss and Simon LLP
- Conner & Winters, LLP
- Cook, Portune & Logothetis
- O'Donoghue & O'Donoghue LLP
- Robein, Urann, Spencer, Picard & Cangemi, P.C.
- Slevin & Hart, P.C.
| Friday |
- Murtha Cullina LLP
- Vedder Price
Gold Level
- Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP
- Murtha Cullina LLP
- Proskauer Rose LLP
- Seyfarth Shaw LLP
- Vedder Price
Silver Level
- Blitman & King, LLP
- Cohen Weiss Simon
- Conner & Winters, LLP
- Cook, Portune & Logothetis
- Daley, DeBofsky & Bryant
- Neyhart, Anderson, Flynn & Grosboll
- O'Donoghue & O'Donoghue, LLP
- Robein, Urann, Spencer, Picard & Cangemi APLC,
- Slevin & Hart, P.C.
If you or your firm would like to make a donation, please contact Meaghan Daly at dalym@staff.abanet.org.
Drive for Diversity
In order to increase diversity within the ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law's Employee Benefits Committee, the co-chairs are enlisting your help. We ask you to look around your firms, your companies or your organizations and invite your colleagues to join the Committee and to attend the upcoming Midwinter Meeting. We also suggest that you approach opposing counsel where appropriate and your clients, particularly in-house counsel, and tell them about the Committee and the benefits it offers, including the exchange of substantive information and advice among leading practitioners in the field at the Midwinter Meeting. Membership and active participation in the Employee Benefits Committee is a valuable experience that is both career enhancing and personally fulfilling and should be shared with a broader base of members. We urge you to recommend the benefits of Committee membership to others in your organizations and to your clients, particularly more junior lawyers, and those of diverse backgrounds. Please note that non-ABA members may attend the Midwinter Meeting, as well.
Should you have any questions while making your arrangements, please contact the Section office at 312/988-5523 or laborempllaw@staff.abanet.org.
We look forward to seeing you in Charleston and to a very successful program!
| Mark D. DeBofsky Employee Co-Chair |
Lissa J. Paris Employer Co-Chair |
Doug Selwyn Union & Employee Co-Chair |
