ABA Day in Washington

(All events will take place at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill unless otherwise noted.)

Jump to Optional Tuesday Events, Wednesday Events, or Thursday Events.

TUESDAY, April 15

8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
OPTIONAL SUPREME COURT BREAKFAST/SWEARING-IN CEREMONY
United States Supreme Court

Participants will be selected on a first come, first served basis from among ABA Day participants who registered before March 31, 2008 and who scheduled their Hill visits in advance. Lawyers interested in seeking admission to the U.S. Supreme Court must complete the necessary paperwork posted on the Court's website and forward all completed materials to Julie Strandlie, Esq. American Bar Association Governmental Affairs Office, 740 15th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005. Completed applications must be received at the ABA office on or before March 31, 2008.

4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
REGISTRATION
Hall of Battles, Ballroom Level

Pick up meeting materials and “leave-behind” folders for Congressional visits

7:00 p.m. Reception/8:00 p.m. Dinner
WELCOME DINNER/GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY AWARDS (Click here to Register/Pay)
Old Ebbitt Grill (Atrium)
675 15th Street, NW (enter at 655 15th street)
Washington, D.C. 20005

Join colleagues from around the country for a relaxing Reception and Welcome Dinner at this famous D.C. gathering place, within walking distance from the White House, the ABA offices and the Sofitel Lafayette Square, one of the two ABA Day hotels. The Dinner is at individual expense, underwritten by the ABA Governmental Affairs Office. Complimentary valet parking is available for local participants.

ABA President William H. Neukom, ABA Day in Washington Chair Stephen N. Zack, ABA Standing Committee on Governmental Affairs Chair Neal R. Sonnett, and ABA Director of Grassroots Operations Julie M. Strandlie will present the 2008 Grassroots Advocacy Awards to the following organizations and individuals:

State Bar of Wisconsin
(George C. Brown, Executive Director)

State Bar of South Dakota
(Thomas C. Barnett, Jr., Executive Director)

G. Nicholas Casey, Jr.
(Past President, West Virginia State Bar; WV Delegate to ABA House of Delegates;
Member, ABA Standing Committee on Governmental Affairs)

Bruce B. Blackwell
(President, Florida Bar Foundation)

WEDNESDAY, April 16

6:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
REGISTRATION
Hall of Battles, Ballroom Level

7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
OPENING SESSION
Yorktown/Valley Forge, Ballroom Level

(A hearty/healthy Buffet Breakfast will be served starting at 7:00 a.m.)

Please consider sitting with other ABA Day Participants from the same State, as designated by the placards on each table.

WELCOME TO WASHINGTON

Stephen N. Zack, Chair, "ABA Day" Planning Committee; Boies Schiller & Flexner, LLP, Miami, Florida

REMARKS BY THE ABA PRESIDENT

William H. Neukom, ABA President, Seattle, Washington

INTERACTIVE LOBBYING WORKSHOP

This interactive workshop will provide newcomers as well as Hill "veterans" with tips for effective direct and grassroots lobbying. Representative Gillibrand will give opening remarks. Following a dramatization of the "wrong" way to meet with a Member of Congress and staff, Steve Zack and Rep. Gillibrand will lead a candid, insightful and perhaps humorous discussion of effective and ineffective lobbying techniques. Following the critique, our bar leaders will demonstrate how to meet with a Member of Congress to enlist support for Legal Services Corporation funding and S. 186, the Attorney-Client Privilege Protection Act. This Workshop program will also assist you in maintaining your relationships with Members and staff--either as a member of the ABA Grassroots Action Team or as a State/Local Bar official--throughout the year. Audience participation is strongly encouraged.

Moderator:
Stephen N. Zack, Chair, "ABA Day" Planning Committee; Boies Schiller & Flexner, LLP (Miami, Florida)

Presenters:
The Honorable Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), U.S. House of Representatives (Hudson, New York)

Michelle A. Behnke, Chair, ABA Standing Committee on Bar Services and Past President, State Bar of Wisconsin; Michelle A. Behnke, Attorney at Law (Madison, Wisconsin)

Brad Fitch, Co-Founder and CEO, Knowlegis, A Capitol Advantage Company (Merrifield, Virginia)

Bob Glaves, Executive Director, The Chicago Bar Foundation; Past President, National Conference of Bar Foundations (Chicago, Illinois)

Thomas M. Susman, (Effective May 5, 2008) Director, ABA Governmental Affairs Office, currently Ropes & Gray (Washington, D.C.)

ISSUES BRIEFING

An in-depth Issues Briefing will address the legislative priorities that will be the primary focus of our Hill Visits:

• Legal Services Corporation Funding, including adequate annual and supplemental disaster relief funding
• S. 186, Preservation of the Attorney-Client Privilege

Moderator:
Laurel G. Bellows, Chair, ABA House of Delegates; Bellows & Bellows PC, Chicago, Illinois

ISSUE I: Legal Services Corporation (LSC)
The ABA supports the LSC Board of Director's request for $471 million for FY 2009 and urges Congress to significantly increase funding toward elimination the "justice gap."

Presenters:
The Hon. Deborah Hankinson, Chair, Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants (SCLAID); Law Offices of Deborah G. Hankinson (Dallas, Texas)

Frank B. Strickland, Chair, Legal Services Corporation Board of Directors; Strickland Brockington Lewis LLP (Atlanta, Georgia)

Daniel Goldberg, Counsel to Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), United States Senate (Washington, D.C.)

Julie M. Strandlie, Director, Grassroots Operations/Legislative Counsel, ABA Governmental Affairs Office (Washington, D.C.)

ISSUE II: S. 186, Preservation of the Attorney-Client Privilege
The ABA supports the enactment of S. 186 and urges Senators to cosponsor this legislation.

Presenters:
R. William Ide III, Chair, ABA Task Force on Attorney Client Privilege and ABA President (1994-1995); McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP (Atlanta, Georgia)

Matthew Miner, Minority Chief Crime Counsel, United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary (Washington, D.C.)

Susan Hackett, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Association of Corporate Counsel (Washington, D.C.)

R. Larson Frisby,Senior Legislative Counsel, ABA Governmental Affairs Office (Washington, D.C.)

CALL TO ACTION

William H. Neukom, ABA President, Seattle, Washington

CLOSING REMARKS

Stephen N. Zack, Chair, "ABA Day" Planning Committee; Boies Schiller & Flexner, LLP, Miami, Florida

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
HILL VISIT PREP (Optional)
Yorktown/Valley Forge, Ballroom Level

Meet with colleagues from your State and ABA entity to discuss final preparations and strategies for your Hill visits. (No room change.)

10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
HILL VISITS
Capitol Hill

The ABA strongly encourages ABA Day participants to visit as many Members of Congress as time permits, including your own Senators and Representative, in particular, as well as others with whom you may have a close relationship. Be sure to schedule your last appointment for no later than 5:00 p.m. to ensure your arrival at the Reception between 5:45 p.m. Award presentations are expected to begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. See TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION below.

12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
"ABA HEADQUARTERS ON THE HILL"
Florida House
Number One Second Street, NE
(at the corner of East Capitol and Second Street, NE, behind the Supreme Court)

Enjoy the hospitality of the Florida House as an added treat to your ABA Day experience! Stop by the ABA's "Headquarters on the Hill" between or after meetings with your Members of Congress. Please take this opportunity to submit your Hill Visit Reports online (new this year!), or drop off your written "Hill Visit Report Forms." Submit your Hill Visit Report Forms and enter the drawing for a free ABA Annual Meeting Registration or NCBP Meeting Registration. ABA GAO staff will be available to answer your questions and provide additional briefing materials. Beverages and snacks will be served.

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
CAPITOL HILL RECEPTION
"The Columbus Club"
Union Station
40 Massachusetts Avenue NE
Washington, D.C. 20002

Join ABA President William H. Neukom in honoring Members of Congress for their specific efforts to improve the American justice system. All Members of Congress and key staff are invited. The ABA thanks the Section of Litigation and Chair Judith A. Miller for their contributions to this reception. Please arrive by 5:45 p.m.; Award presentations are expected to begin promptly at 6:00 p.m.

Invited Honorees

The Honorable Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT)

The Honorable Arlen Specter (R-PA)

The Honorable Pete V. Domenici (R-NM)

The Honorable Jim Ramstad (R-MN)

The Honorable Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA)

8:15 p.m.
DINE AROUND TOWN

Washington, D.C., offers an extensive array of fine dining. Take advantage of this opportunity to have dinner with bar colleagues from across the country. Visit www.opentable.com to plan your evening.

THURSDAY, April 17

7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Please arrive at the Capitol Hill breakfast before 8:00 a.m. See TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION below.

8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
BREAKFAST BRIEFING
SR-325 Russell Senate Office Building

Join ABA and Congressional Leaders for breakfast in the historic Russell Caucus Room. Invited Members of Congress discuss the legislative agenda for the remainder of the 110th Congress and how the organized bar can make a difference. Senator Graham is scheduled to speak from 9:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Please schedule your first Hill Visit accordingly to allow you to remain for his presentation.

Remarks:
William H. Neukom, ABA President, Seattle, Washington

Speakers:
The Honorable Tom Harkin (D-IA), United States Senate (invited)

The Honorable Lindsey Graham (R-SC), United States Senate

Presidential Candidates’ Perspectives on Issues of Importance to the Justice System: Senate staff Counsels to Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY), John McCain (R-AZ) and Barack Obama (D-IL) will discuss the Senators’ views on issues of importance to the organized bar. (invited)

Closing Remarks:
Stephen N. Zack, Chair, "ABA Day" Planning Committee; Boies Schiller & Flexner, LLP, Miami, Florida

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
HILL VISITS, continued
Capitol Hill

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
"ABA HEADQUARTERS ON THE HILL"
2168 Rayburn House Office Building

Stop by the ABA's "Headquarters on the Hill" between or after meetings with your Members of Congress. Please take this opportunity to submit your Hill Visit Reports online (new this year!), or drop off your written "Hill Visit Report Forms." Submit your Hill Visit Report Forms and enter the drawing for a free ABA Annual Meeting Registration or NCBP Meeting Registration. ABA GAO staff will be available to answer your questions and provide additional briefing materials. Box lunches and refreshments will be served.