(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 20

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

Twelve participants will be selected on a first come, first served basis from among ABA Day participants who registered before March 15, 2010 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 (including the $200 check payable to the U.S. Supreme Court) to Julie Strandlie, Esq. American Bar Association Governmental Affairs Office, 740 15th Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20005. Completed applications must be received at the ABA office on or before March 15, 2010.

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
FREE CONTINUING LEGAL ETHICS EDUCATION PROGRAM
Location: Ticonderoga, Ballroom Level

“Land Mines in the Field of Legal Ethics—or, Don’t Go There”

This 2-hour CLE-accredited program on legal ethics will explore the most common violations seen today in the field of legal ethics and the measures that law firms can take to avoid these problems. Specifically, the program will focus on issues of conflicts of interest, including the revolving door between government and private employment, confidences and secrets, dishonesty and neglect. It will also explore risk management approaches that enable lawyers to address these issues before they ripen into difficulties that threaten the firm and individual lawyers. Accreditation will be requested for this program from every state with mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) requirements for its lawyers.

Speakers:
Deborah Jeffrey, Partner (Professional Services Practice) Zuckerman Spaeder (Washington, DC)
Wallace E. Agene Shipp, Bar Counsel, District of Columbia Bar (Washington, DC)
Thomas M. Susman, Director, ABA Governmental Affairs Office (Washington, DC)


3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
PERCEPTIONS OF JUSTICE: A Town Hall Dialogue on Color, Ethnicity and the Courts (Optional)
Location: One Judiciary Square, 441 4th Street NW, Washington, DC

This program, which is part of a series presented by the Judicial Division Lawyers Conference, explores the basic tenet that the perception of fairness is a fundamental requirement for an effective and legitimate judicial system. The Washington, DC program will address in a town hall format the extent to which ethnic groups perceive the courts as fair - or not - in the administration of justice and, if the confidence of these ethnic groups in the courts is lacking, what can and should be done to improve their confidence.

Moderators:
Professor F. Michael Higginbotham, University of Baltimore School of Law (Baltimore, MD)
The Honorable Allen J. Webster, Jr., LA County Superior Court (Compton, CA)

For more information or to sign up, contact Gilda Fairly


4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
REGISTRATION
Ticonderoga Foyer, Ballroom Level

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

7:00 p.m. Reception/7:30 p.m. Dinner
WELCOME DINNER/CONGRESSIONAL AWARDS
Canadian Embassy, 501 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20001

Join colleagues from around the country for a relaxing Reception and Welcome Dinner at the Canadian Embassy, just around the corner from the Hyatt and with a spectacular view of the Capitol. The Dinner is at individual expense, underwritten by the ABA Governmental Affairs Office.

ABA President Carolyn B. Lamm will present the Congressional Awards to selected Members of Congress in appreciation for their specific efforts to improve the American justice system.

Invited Honorees

Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN)
Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN)
Representative John Lewis (D-GA)

WEDNESDAY, April 21

6:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
REGISTRATION
Regency Foyer, Ballroom Level

7:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
OPENING SESSION
Regency A, Ballroom Level

(A hearty/healthy Buffet Breakfast will be served starting at 7:00 a.m. Please plan to be seated by 7:30 a.m. for the start of the program.)

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

WELCOME TO WASHINGTON

Laurel G. Bellows, Chair, "ABA Day" Planning Committee; Bellows & Bellows PC, Chicago, Illinois

REMARKS BY THE ABA PRESIDENT

Carolyn B. Lamm, ABA President; White & Case, LLP,Washington, D.C.

LEGISLATIVE TRAINING/ISSUES BRIEFING

William Hubbard, ABA House of Delegates, Chair; Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, Columbia, SC

This plenary session will address the legislative priorities that will be the primary focus of our Hill Visits.

• Legal Services Corporation Funding: LSC funding is critical for local legal aid programs to assist low-income persons and families address every day legal problems. Of particular concern today is the effect of the housing crisis on both owners and renters of foreclosed property.
  


• Civil Access to Justice Act of 2009, H.R. 3764/S. 718: LSC funding is critical for local legal aid programs to assist low-income persons and families address every day legal problems. Of particular concern today is the effect of the housing crisis on both owners and renters of foreclosed property.
  


• Additional Issues To Be Announced by or before 2010 Midyear Meeting.

CALL TO ACTION

Carolyn B. Lamm , ABA President, White & Case, LLP,Washington, D.C.

CLOSING REMARKS

Laurel G. Bellows, Chair, "ABA Day" Planning Committee; Bellows & Bellows PC, Chicago, Illinois

 

9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
FINAL HILL VISIT PREPARATIONS (Optional)
Regency A, Ballroom Level

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

10:00 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"
Reserve Officers Association
Minuteman Ballroom B
One Constitution Ave., NE
Washington, D.C. 20002

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, or drop off your written "Hill Visit Report Forms." Beverages and snacks will be served.

 

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
CAPITOL HILL RECEPTION
Library of Congress (Tenative Location)
James Madison Memorial Building
Montpelier Room
101 Independence Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20540

ABA President Carolyn B. Lamm and others will present the 2010 Grassroots Advocacy Awards to the following organizations and individuals:

Honorees

To Be Announced

 

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 22

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
United States Capitol Visitor Center (Tenative Location)
Congressional Auditorium and Atrium

Join ABA and Congressional Leaders for breakfast. Invited Members of Congress discuss the legislative agenda for the new 111th Congress and how the organized bar can make a difference. Please schedule your first Hill Visit accordingly to allow you to remain for their presentation.

Remarks:
Carolyn B. Lamm, ABA President, White & Case, LLP,Washington, D.C.

Speakers:
To Be Announced

Closing Remarks:
Laurel G. Bellows, Chair, "ABA Day" Planning Committee; Bellows & Bellows PC, Chicago, Illinois

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"
Reserve Officers Association
Minuteman Ballroom B
One Constitution Ave., NE
Washington, D.C. 20002

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, or drop off your written "Hill Visit Report Forms." ABA GAO staff will be available to answer your questions and provide additional briefing materials. Box lunches and refreshments will be served.