Outsourcing legal services, the impact of climate change on the practice of law and solutions to avoid data breaches are among hot topics at Annual Meeting

The Big Apple is the site of the ABA’s 2008 Annual Meeting, Aug. 7-12. The conference offers an excellent networking opportunity, as well as a chance to learn the latest developments in law, practice tips and legal technology trends.

The meeting will feature several noteworthy continuing legal education programs. During the showcase program, “Outsourcing Legal Services Abroad,” panelists will explore outsourcing trends and analyze what drives firms to send work abroad. Panelists also will discuss managing change at home and dealing with other cultures, from the perspective of law firms and the companies that provide the services in India and elsewhere.

Practical information on how climate change will impact the practice of law will be shared during “Climate Change – The Growing Legal Storm.” Panelists will discuss the emergence of state and local regulation, changes in securities disclosure and greenhouse gas inventories, and climate litigation in the absence of federal climate legislation.

Back to top

“Protection of Sensitive Information is Every Lawyer’s Business – Practical Solutions to Avoid Data Breaches” will address such issues as the causes of data breaches, how to avoid them, what state data breach laws require and security plans for e-discovery.

Other CLE programs will provide attendees with information on communicating effectively with clients and colleagues across cultures; merging, buying and closing a law firm; fundamentals of organizing and setting up your law firm’s structure and operation; and healthcare privacy and security under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, among many others. A list of the CLE programs planned for the Annual Meeting so far can be found here.

In addition to the educational programs, the House of Delegates will meet to debate such issues as amending Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.10 to permit the screening of a lawyer who moves from one private law firm to another, so those in her new firm are not prevented from participating in a matter in which the newly arrived lawyer is disqualified; using bipartisan judicial nominating commissions in the nomination and confirmation of federal judges; and urging federal, state and local governments to enact legislation and policies to ban racial and ethnic profiling by law enforcement agencies.

Finally, the Annual Meeting will allow ABA members to celebrate the accomplishments of several within the legal profession. Most notably, the ABA will honor Patricia M. Wald, whose legal service has ranged from neighborhood legal aid programs in the United States to representing the U.S. on the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, with the American Bar Association Medal for 2008, the association’s highest honor.

More information about the meeting—including online registration—may be found here.

Back to top

Back to home