March 2008

Three Days in April

Aside from the gorgeous cherry blossoms, why would you want to come to Washington, DC, this April 16–18? Answer: The ABA Section of Litigation Annual Conference, which provides a variety of cutting edge programs on everything from advanced mediation advocacy techniques to the clash between Congress and the president over the power to wage war. Having Washington as our location also allows those who arrive early to participate in ABA Day—an annual event where ABA, state, and local bar leaders from around the country visit congressional delegations to advocate action on important priorities for the profession. This year's focus is on safeguarding the attorney-client privilege, as well as adequate funding for the Legal Services Corporation—one important component of our commitment to delivering better access to the civil justice system.

For the first time, we have timed our conference so that we can invite leaders of the ABA Young Lawyer's Division to join us for our welcome reception and programming. This commitment to involving younger lawyers is consistent with our recent immigration and military assistance projects—projects that afford attorney volunteers of all ages the opportunity to help provide pro bono litigation assistance to those who have served our country, as well as those who need help in navigating appropriate paths to residence in this country.

On Friday and Saturday, April 18–19, we will be hosting an Ethics Symposium to confront and explore some of the most challenging issues we face as professionals 100 years after the ABA’s Code of Professional Ethics was first adopted. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito will be joining us for a keynote address on Friday afternoon. And our annual conference has a range of new programming—including the Duke lacrosse prosecutorial misconduct case, the subprime meltdown, managing technology overload, and dealing with the top 10 insurance traps for litigators—topped off by luncheon speeches on Thursday by FBI Director Robert Mueller and Friday by the Washington Post's Dana Milbank.

In other words, a trip to our nation's capitol this April will pay great dividends in skill sharpening, networking, hot topics, speakers, and fun. Hope you will join us!

Judith A. Miller
Chair, Section of Litigation