WASHINGTON, D.C., July 22, 2013 — California’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, same-sex marriage and high-tech law issues are chief among local and regional issues that will be explored at the 2013 American Bar Association Annual Meeting Aug. 8-13 in San Francisco.

Attorney General Eric Holder (Aug. 12, morning, Moscone Center West) is among high-profile speakers as well as several federal and state Supreme Court justices, including California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye (Aug. 8, 10:30 a.m., Moscone Center West), who will address issues that threaten access to justice in the United States. Also, San Francisco Chief of Police Greg Suhr and Deputy Public Defender Jennifer Johnson are among panelists who will discuss strategies to prevent gun violence at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 9 at the Moscone Center West.

In addition to the more than 1,400 events at this premier gathering of legal professionals, the ABA House of Delegates — the association’s policymaking body — will meet at 9 a.m. on Aug. 12-13 at the Moscone Center West in the third-floor ballroom. For details on the proposals for debate and vote during the two-day session, click here.

During the two-day session, on the afternoon of Aug. 12, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will receive the ABA Medal, the association’s highest honor, for her exceptionally distinguished service to the cause of American jurisprudence.

Online registration for news reporters is easier than ever. Credential guidelines are at http://www.abanow.org/reporter-resources/media-credentials/.

Local and regional news programs include:

Thursday, Aug. 8

“Are Courts Dying? The Decline of Open and Public Adjudication” — California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and federal judges will discuss the problems affecting our court systems, including decreased funding despite a growing number of litigants without resources, the cost of lawyers, new laws that mandate outsourcing arbitration to private venues and other efforts to privatize decision making. 10:30 a.m. – noon, Rooms 2014/2016, 2^nd Floor, Moscone Center West

“The War of the Roses: Apple v. Samsung — Implications for Innovation and Intellectual Property Law” — A panel of intellectual property experts will discuss enforcement efforts and tips for strengthening and protecting intellectual property without coming off as an intellectual property bully. 2 – 3:30 p.m., Room 3016, 3^rd Floor, Moscone Center West

Friday, Aug. 9

“Lawyers, Guns and Money: Prohibitions, Restrictions, Guns in Schools, Civil Liability — Will These Strategies Prevent Gun Violence and Save Lives?” — Panelists — including San Francisco Chief of Police Greg Suhr — will discuss the legal and practical issues and debate proposed solutions to the epidemic of gun violence in America.

8:30 – 10 a.m., Room 2018, 2^nd Floor, Moscone Center West

“Silicon Valley GCs Give the Real Deal: A Candid Discussion About Best Practices, Value and Silicon Valley” — High-profile Silicon Valley general counsels will discuss privacy law issues, unique high-tech law concerns and emerging trends in Silicon Valley, and provide an overview of best practices in the industry. 8:30 – 10 a.m., Room 3018, 3^rd Floor, Moscone Center West

“ABA National Task Force on Stand Your Ground Laws Public Hearing” — Expert local witnesses will testify on the impact of “stand your ground” laws in the western region. 8 – 10:30 a.m., Metropolitan I, 2^nd Floor, Westin Market Street

“More Than an Equal Sign: DOMA, Prop 8, the Supreme Court and Your Practice” — Panelists will analyze the high court’s decisions about same-sex marriage and make practical legal recommendations for individuals, businesses and policymakers on family, employment, estate planning and taxation matters. 2 – 3:30 p.m., Room 3006, 3^rd Floor, Moscone Center West

“Historical Trial: The Twinkie Defense — The Trial of Dan White for the Murders of Harvey Milk and George Moscone” — In White’s murder trial, the defense team successfully argued diminished capacity based in part upon his junk food diet. Was this right, or should White have been convicted of murder? 2 – 5 p.m., Room 2006, 2^nd Floor, Moscone Center West

“California’s Cap and Trade Program: Insight into the State’s New Carbon Trading Program and How It May Affect the Nation” — Panelists will make a legal analysis of California’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and discuss how the market mechanism is designed to ensure integrity, transparency and financial value in this new U.S. carbon market. 3:45 – 5:15 p.m., Room 2024, 2^nd Floor, Moscone Center West

“How to Handle an NTSB Investigation: Avoiding Pitfalls and Protecting Your Client” — A panel of experts will explore the inner workings of the National Transportation Safety Board investigations of major transportation accidents and the role of the victim’s families during an investigation. 3:45 – 5:15 p.m., Room 3020, 3^rd Floor, Moscone Center West

Saturday, Aug. 10

“Legal and Ethical Consequences of Medicinal Marijuana Representation: A Dope Niche — With State Law Changes, It’s Pot That’s Hot” — Legal experts will examine the state-level policy work undertaken by the Marijuana Policy Project; discuss federal authority versus states’ rights to develop law in this area; review the existing laws in various states and their approaches to patients, dispensers and growers; and reference relevant ethics opinions. 2 – 3:30 p.m., Room 2005, 2^nd Floor, Moscone Center West

Information on these programs and other Annual Meeting events are available here.

During the Annual Meeting, accredited journalists should register on site at the Moscone Center West, Exhibition Hall, first floor, beginning at 8 a.m. on Aug. 8. A press room for accredited reporters will be provided in 2014 Overlook, located on the second floor of the Moscone Center West, starting at 9 a.m. on Aug. 8. The room will be open daily thereafter from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will close one hour after the House of Delegates adjourns on Aug. 13.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is one of the largest voluntary professional membership organizations in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law. To review our privacy statement, click here. Follow the latest ABA news at www.abanow.org and on Twitter @ABANews.