ABA Law Student Division
2009 ABA Annual Meeting and Career Fair
July 30-August 4, 2009
Chicago, IL
ABA Law Student Division Annual Meeting Activities
July 29-August 2, 2009
Chicago Marriott Hotel - Downtown
Each summer, the membership of the American Bar Association assembles for its Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting of the Law Student Division is also held at this time, providing an opportunity for Division members to meet at the national level.
This meeting promises you a unique opportunity to experience a diverse selection of the finest CLE available to law professionals. In addition to the Law Student Division’s full schedule of events for law students, you are encouraged to take advantage of the Annual Meeting by attending the educational programs sponsored by other ABA specialty Sections, Divisions and Forums which will allow you to meet and interact with law professionals from across the country. More information on these programs and opportunities will be provided as details become available.
See You in Chicago!
Why Attend the Annual Meeting?
Attending the ABA Annual Meeting will give you access to law professionals from around the country and countless meetings, educational programs and social events. You will have the opportunity to meet and network with other law students, as well as attorneys new to the practice of law, and those accomplished in a wide range of practice areas and setting.
- ABA Law Student Division Program Brochure
- ABA Annual Meeting Program Brochure (includes information on Registration, Housing, Groud Transportation, cancellation policies, ABA Tours, ABA Social Events, and a faxable registration form)
3rd Annual Career Fair
The ABA Law Student Division is pleased to present the third Annual Career Fair, which kicks-off the Division’s portion of the ABA Annual Meeting. The Career Fair is structured as a table-talk event, providing you the opportunity to meet and speak one-one-on with hiring representatives from some of the country's most prominent law firms, government legal departments, and public interest organizations to discuss their future careers and prospects for summer and associate positions. Your registration fee to attend the ABA Annual Meeting includes admission to the Career Fair. Tell me more
Resume Review and Career Advice
Participating students will enjoy the opportunity to visit one-on-one with experienced law school career service counselors and legal recruitment professionals who will critique resumes and provide constructive suggestions to make job search documents stand out and get noticed by legal employers.
Registration and Housing Deadlines
Career Fair: July 30, 2009
Law Student Division Activities: July 29-August 2, 2009
- You can still register onsite at the meeting
$75 LSD Members/$100 ABA Non-Member law students
Registration fee includes admittance to the Career Fair and a Law Student "all access to CLE" meeting badge.
Annual Meeting Registration
The registration fee for ABA Law Student Division members to attend the Annual Meeting is $75 ($100 for non-members*). Advance registration for the Annual Meeting will close at 5:00 p.m. on July 7. After this date, you will be required to wait until you arrive in Chicago to register onsite at the ABA's main registration desk located at the Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel (151 East Wacker Drive).
*Note: The non-member registration fee includes a one-year membership in the ABA Law Student Division.
Upon arrival in Chicago, all Annual Meeting attendees must first check in at the main ABA Registration Area at the Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel (151 East Wacker Drive) to receive their official 2009 Annual Meeting registration badge and bag. You cannot register with the Law Student Division or attend the Career Fair until you have proof of registration (your official Annual Meeting badge) from the ABA’s main registration desk.
Career Fair Registration
Your Annual Meeting registration fee includes admittance to the Career Fair. There is not a separate registration or cost for the Career Fair. You must be registered for the Annual Meeting and you must be wearing your official ABA Annual Meeting attendee badge that you receive at the ABA main registration desk at the Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel (see check-in process) in order to gain entry to the Career Fair.
Law Student Division Event Tickets
Once you have secured your ABA materials, please proceed to the Law Student Division Registration Area at the Chicago Marriott Hotel (540 North Michigan Avenue) to check-in and receive your Division materials including tickets to the career development luncheon, as supplies remain available.
ABA Event
Tickets
To obtain tickets to ABA Special Events, you must be registered for the Annual Meeting. Tickets will be distributed or available for purchase in the main ABA Registration Area located at the Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel. Capacities for some events are limited and sold on a first-come, first-served bases until capacities fill. If you did not reserve your tickets before Friday, July 10, 2009 tickets will be available for sale, to the extent that they remain available, at the ABA Registration Desk at the Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel (151 East Wacker Drive).
*Note: The non-member registration fee includes a complimentary one-year membership in the ABA Law Student Division. You must be an enrolled student at an ABA-approved law school to receive a complimentary membership.
Annual Meeting Check-in Process
Once you've arrived at your first ABA Annual Meeting, what do you do? Let us help you navigate the registration process:
- Whether you have pre-registered or still need to register for the meeting, the first thing you will want to do is visit the Chicago Hyatt Regency Hotel (151 East Wacker Drive) to obtain your official registration badge, bag and master program book. Be sure that you receive a Law Student "All Access to CLE" badge, so you are able to take advantage of the free admittance to educational programs available only to law students.
- Once you have secured your ABA materials from the Hyatt Regency Hotel, you should proceed to the Chicago Marriott Hotel, 540 N. Michigan Avenue, to check-in with the Law Student Division. Here you will receive your Division meeting materials and your ticket to the Division's Career Development luncheon (limited attendance available on a first-come, first served basis).
- If you will be serving as a Law Student Division Delegate (SBA President or ABA Representative), or a Delegate Proxy, once you have checked-in at the Law Student Division registration desk, you should proceed to the Delegate Certification desk. If you are serving as a proxy, make sure you have your proxy letter with you (see proxy instructions).
Assembly and Delegate Certification
The Assembly is the policy making body of the Division, which convenes only once a year during the Division’s portion of the ABA Annual Meeting. Members of the Assembly (Assembly Delegates) debate and vote on resolutions relating to legal education and the legal profession. Assembly Delegates also elect the Division’s three delegates to the ABA House of Delegates. (See Voting and Elections)
The Assembly membership is comprised of two principal delegates—the primary ABA Representative and the SBA President—from each ABA-approved law school. The principal delegates must be current ABA Law Student Division members, whose ABA Law Student Division 2008-2009 dues are paid in full, in order to be certified as Assembly Delegates. A principal delegate who is not a member, but wishes to vote in the election and in the Assembly, must join the ABA and pay his/her dues in order to be certified. Otherwise, he/she may proxy his/her vote to another law student from his/her school, provided that law student is a fully paid member of the ABA Law Student Division. Proxies must present signed written authorization from the principal delegate, preferably on school letterhead, in order to be certified.
- Delegate Certification Procedures and Proxies
- Faxable Proxy Sheet
- Assembly Agenda and Resolutions
- 2008 Annual Meeting Assembly Resolution Procedures
- Listing of ABA Representatives and SBA Presidents
- SBA Presidents Reporting Form
- ABA Representatives Reporting Form
- List of ABA-Approved Law Schools
- ABA Law Student Division Bylaws
- ABA Law Student Division Structure
Voting and Elections
Only one SBA President and one ABA Representative from each ABA-approved law school shall be recognized as that school’s official delegate. Law schools with multiple SBA Presidents and/or ABA Representatives must determine who will serve as the primary delegates in the Assembly and during the election. Principle delegates should be reported to the ABA Law Student Division through the SBA Presidents and ABA Representatives Reporting Forms.
Election of the Division Delegates to the ABA House of Delegates
Certified Assembly Delegates who wish to participate in the election of the three Division Delegates to the ABA House of Delegates should proceed to the Election Polling Table at the Chicago Marriott Hotel between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31 or from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 1. Certified Assembly Delegates must sign in with the election judges in order to receive a ballot. Certified Delegates may cast votes for up to three candidates. Polls will close promptly at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 1. Election results will be announced during the Assembly.
Election of the Division Vice Chair-SBA
Certified SBA Presidents or their proxies who wish to participate in the election of the 2009-2010 Division Vice Chair-Student Bar Associations (SBA) should attend the SBA Leadership Conference on Friday, July 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Certified SBA Presidents will be required to sign in with the election judges in order to receive a ballot and cast their school’s vote for one Vice Chair-SBA candidate. Election polls will be open on Friday, July 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Results will be announced during the Assembly on Saturday afternoon.
- Delegate Certification Procedures and Proxies
- Faxable Proxy Sheet
- Slate of Candidates
- Position Information - Delegate to the ABA House of Delegates
- Position Information - Vice Chair-Student Bar Associations
- Guide to Election Regulations
- Code of Election Regulations
- Listing of ABA Representatives and SBA Presidents
- SBA Presidents Reporting Form
- Current Leaders
Housing
If you did not register and make hotel accommodations prior to the July 7 deadline, you will be required to wait until July 20 to make your arrangements directly with an ABA-official hotel. You must contact the hotel of your choice directly to make your hotel reservations; however, rates and availability cannot be guaranteed.
The Law Student Division will be headquartered at the Chicago Marriott Hotel, 540 North Michigan Avenue.
- Hotel Information -- remember, you must register for the meeting to book a hotel room -- Chicago Marriott Downtown Hotel
- Parking Information and Directions to the Chicago Marriott Hotel
Roommates
Law Student Division members seeking a roommate to share expenses during the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago may complete and submit the following request form. Contacting perspective roommates and agreeing upon arrangements will be your own responsibility. The ABA Law Student Division does not assume any responsibility for making such arrangements. Tell me more
Female
Christina Arzillo
(5) Florida State University College of Law
Christy Commers
(7) Valparaiso University School of Law
Male
Shawn Yancy
(10) Washburn University School of Law
Adam Landstrom
(8) University of North Dakota School of Law
Transportation
ABA AIRFARE DISCOUNTS— AVAILABLE ONLINE!
With ABA Orbitz for Business, you can automatically obtain ABA negotiated airfare discounts for travel to the Annual Meeting. ABA Orbitz for Business enables you to purchase the best airfare at the time of your reservation by providing you with the ability to search for and compare fares from virtually every airline servicing the destination. For assistance with ABA Orbitz for Business online or offline reservations, call (877) 222-4185.
ABA discounts can also be obtained directly from the following carriers:
- American: Call 800-433-1790 code 20348
- United: Call 800-521-4041 code 578IG
- Continental: Call 800-468-7022 Z code ZFD2 – Agreement code BWRKNY. Continental discounts are also available at www.continental.com > enter ZFD2BWRKNY in the "offer code box"
Ground Transportation Between Midway and O'Hare Airports
Chicago has two main airports through which millions of people pass each year:
- Midway Airport
Midway Airport is a smaller and less congested facility located 10 miles outside downtown Chicago
Getting to and from Midway
- O'Hare International Airport
O'Hare International Airport is located 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.
Getting to and from O'Hare
Transportation Around Chicago
Chicago has an excellent public transportation system. The transit system is called the Chicago Transit Authority, also known as the CTA. The rail system can also be referred to as the ‘L". The CTA cash fare is $2.25 for adults and $1 for children ages 7-11. Kids under 7 ride free. Visitor passes, good for unlimited rides for 3 or 7 days on CTA trains and buses, are available at the CTA stations at O'Hare and Midway airports and official Chicago Visitor Centers. See website for details. Passes can also be purchased online. CTA maps are available at ‘L’ stations, official Visitor Information Centers and many hotels. The CTA Web site www.transitchicago.com has more information, including maps and a trip planner. Tell me more
Parking and Driving Instructions
The Law Student Division will be headquartered at the Chicago Marriott Hotel, 540 North Michigan Avenue. Parking Information and Directions to the Chicago Marriott Hotel.
Funding
Due to the large expense involved in travel to the meeting, planning for the Annual Meeting must begin early. SBA Presidents and ABA Representatives should contact their deans and local bar associations early in order to ensure proper funding for the meeting. Making Your Case to Attend the Annual Meeting
Attire
Our headquarters hotel, the Chicago Marriott Hotel, is also headquarters to other ABA entities so you will see and be seen by bench and bar members, even during down time. Business professional attire (courtroom attire) is recommended for the following Annual Meeting events: Career Fair, Assembly and President’s Reception. Business casual is appropriate for other Annual Meeting events. Acceptable business casual attire includes neatly pressed khakis, dress slacks, cropped pants or skirts with shirts, polos or blouses. No jeans, t-shirts, beach sandals or other casual wear.
Annual Meeting Social Events
Thursday, July 30, 2009
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Chicago Marriott Hotel)
Law Student Division Meet the Candidates Mixer
Hear speeches from the candidates followed by a meet-and-greet. Renew old acquaintances and make new friends.
Friday, July 31, 2009
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Swissotel Hotel)
Reception
Join members of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar for this event. The Kutak Award, which will be presented, honors significant contributions to the collaboration of the academy, the bench, and the bar.
Sponsored by the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
Saturday, August 1, 2009
5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Symphony Center)
ABA Opening Assembly
Free of charge to all registrants and registered guests.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Art Institute of Chicago)
ABA President’s Reception
View Museum exhibits while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and an open bar.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Fairmont Chicago Hotel)
Margaret Brent Woman Lawyers of Achievement Awards Luncheon
Sponsored by the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession
Recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of women lawyers who have achieved professional excellence in their area of specialty and have paved the way for the success of other women lawyers.
Other Annual Meeting Events
Presidential CLE Center
The ABA Presidential CLE Centre, located at the Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel, offers accredited CLE programs covering all areas of practice. While general meeting attendees are required to pay for CLE events, law students registered for the Annual Meeting and wearing their official ABA Annual Meeting Law Student badge, generally are allowed complimentary admittance to educational events (you should be prepared to purchase a ticket for social events and meal functions). Tell me more
ABA EXPO
During the 2009 Annual Meeting, the ABA EXPO will be located at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, from Thursday, July 30 through Saturday, August 1. The ABA EXPO features more than 100 providers of dynamic legal products and services. Visit exhibiting companies showcasing the latest in communications, legal publishing, computer hardware and software and financial services, all in one convenient place and with today’s law practice in mind. While at the ABA EXPO, be sure to stop by the ABA SOURCE, the ABA Member Advantage Aisle and the Travel Isle. Helpful ABA staff will be on hand to guide you through the programs, products, and services available to ABA members. The times for the ABA EXPO are as follows:
- Thursday, July 30 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Friday, July 31 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday, August 1 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
ABA Source
While you are at the EXPO, make a point to stop by the ABA Source booth, your one-stop resource for making the most of your ABA membership. Helpful staff will be on hand to guide you through the ABA programs, products and services available only to ABA members.
ABA Tour Program
Chicago Annual Meeting registrants can purchase tickets to ABA Tours directly through our Official Destination Management Company, In the Loop-Chicago, Inc. PLEASE NOTE: In order to purchase any of the tours offered through the ABA Tour Program, you must first register for the Annual Meeting!
July 30 - August 3, 2009 – Tour Grid
