Next steps for immigration reform and LGBT families are among highlights at American Bar Association meeting Aug. 8-13 in San Francisco
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 23, 2013 — The legal implications of gay marriage and assisted reproductive technology as well as a look behind the scenes at immigration reform in Congress are chief among the diversity and immigration law issues that will be explored at the 2013 American Bar Association Annual Meeting Aug. 8-13 in San Francisco.
High-profile speakers at the meeting include former Secretary of State and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton (Aug. 12, afternoon) and Attorney General Eric Holder (Aug. 12, 10 a.m.). Also, several bestselling authors, including Marcia Clark, Sheldon Siegel, David O. Stewart and Talmage Boston, will discuss law as a platform for writing (Aug. 10, 9 a.m., 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.
Online registration for news reporters is easier than ever. Credential guidelines are at http://www.abanow.org/reporter-resources/media-credentials/.
Diversity and immigration programs include:
Thursday, Aug. 8
“Watch Your @#$% Mouth! Race, LGBT and Other Four-Letter Words and the Difficult Conversations Around Them” — In an increasingly diverse world, lawyers are expected to create an inclusive environment and manage difficult conversations with other attorneys, students, clients and colleagues in order to strengthen and build relationships. This discussion will focus on real life “sticky” situations and provide best practices for handling tough conversations that may arise during the legal process. 8:30 – 11 a.m., Room 3003, 3rd Floor, Moscone Center West
Friday, Aug. 9
“If You’re Gonna Do It, Do It Right: Advising Gay and Lesbian Clients on Becoming Parents Through Assisted Reproduction” — After Kansas sued a sperm donor for child support and received national attention, unexpected pitfalls and outcomes due to outdated parentage laws have emerged as a concern for LGBT efforts to build families through assisted reproductive technology. This panel will review numerous assisted reproductive technology cases from around the country to shed light on how families should use third-party reproduction within the context of existing laws. 8:30 – 10 a.m., Room 2022, 2nd Floor, Moscone Center West
“Day of the Woman — Women in the Law: Beyond a Seat at the Table” — A panel of female corporate counsel will discuss the advances made toward ensuring a level playing field for women, the obstacles they see and have faced, how to effectively confront those obstacles, and what companies and law departments can do to remove them. Panelists include Michelle Banks, general counsel at Gap Inc., Kathleen Blanchard, associate general counsel and practice group leader at Genentech, and Salle Yoo, partner at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. 8:30 – 10 a.m., Room 2007, 2nd Floor, Moscone Center West
“Brand New Tools That Can Help You Combat Implicit Bias: Jury Instructions, Voire Dire Questions and More!” — As the research on implicit bias continues to develop, so does the critical need for practical tools to combat bias in order to achieve an impartial jury. A panel of judges will demonstrate parts of the new toolbox designed to teach techniques to help combat implicit bias. 10:30 a.m. – noon, Franciscan Ballroom II, 3rd Floor, Westin Market Street
“Beyond Cultural Boundaries — The Challenge of Cultural Diversity in the Courtroom” — This program will discuss compliance with federal laws governing meaningful access to service by individuals with limited English proficiency. The panelists will focus on the importance of recognizing cultural and linguistic differences and how understanding and addressing them in court is imperative for lawyers to effectively represent their clients of other nationalities and to ensure that all witnesses of foreign cultural backgrounds are afforded a full opportunity to be heard fairly. 10:30 a.m. – noon, Golden Gate Hall C1, B2 Level, Marriott Marquis San Francisco
“More than an Equal Sign: DOMA, Prop 8, the Supreme Court and Your Practice” — Federal and state laws on same-sex marriage are receiving a lot of attention and are evolving rapidly. With the Supreme Court’s recent decisions in Windsor v. United States and Perry v. Hollingsworth, these laws could alter the practice and interpretation of the law in different jurisdictions. This panel will analyze the high court’s decisions and make practical recommendations for lawyers advising individuals, businesses and policymakers on family, employment, estate planning, taxation and other legal matters. 2 – 3:30 p.m., Room 3006, 3rd Floor, Moscone Center West
“What Effective Law Firm Leaders Need to Know About Diversity and Inclusion” — As law firm leaders implement new policies to foster diversity and encourage inclusion, they are also in a position to help develop the law that guides the business world at large. This panel, comprised of current and former law firm leaders and a corporate leader with responsibility for managing the company’s outside legal service providers, will look at the state of diversity and inclusion efforts within the law firm environment. 3:45 – 5:15 p.m., Golden Gate Hall C3, Marriott Marquis San Francisco
“Historical Trial: The Twinkie Defense — The Trial of Dan White for the Murders of Harvey Milk and George Moscone” — On Nov. 27, 1978, the nation’s first openly gay elected official, San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, and Mayor George Moscone were shot to death in city hall by former city supervisor Dan White. 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? Join the prosecution or defense team, and argue the case yourself, with help from leading trial lawyers Vincent Chang and Garrick Lew, Judge William Kelly, and trial consultants David Weinberg and Dr. Darlene Shelton. 2 – 5 p.m., Room 2006, 2nd Floor, Moscone Center West
“Need-to-Know Information from the Women of Cybersecurity” — During this panel, cybersecurity experts will speak to the latest global security threats that are endangering the nation’s critical infrastructure and add their insights on how to combat these challenges, as well as the stories of their unique careers. 3:45 – 5:15 p.m., Room 2007, 2nd Floor, Moscone Center West
Saturday, Aug. 10
“Campus Colors: Race-Conscious Diversity Efforts in Higher Education after Fisher vs. UT Austin” — This panel will provide an assessment of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin for the consideration of race in admissions. Some of the implications discussed included if the U.S. Constitution allows colleges and universities to consider race to enhance the classroom and campus experience, what the case reveals about deep conflicts among members of the court about society’s progress toward racial equality and how these conflicts reflect societal tensions between merit and the value of diversity. 2 – 3:30 p.m., Room 3016, 3rd Floor, Moscone Center West
Sunday, Aug. 11
“Finding Your Own Voice — Ethical Dilemmas, Race and Gender Challenges and the Pitfalls of Practice” — With 15 different scenarios depicting ethical dilemmas, followed by interactive audience response, this program will discuss the choices that can be made when confronted with race and gender bias. Discussion will focus on approach, response, reaction and how it all can impact a lawyer’s reputation and image. 8:30 – 10 a.m., Room 3020, 3rd Floor, Moscone Center West
“What’s Next with Immigration? Behind the Scenes with the Decision Makers” — A panel including Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton, Department of Homeland Security, and Executive Office for Immigration Review Director Juan P. Osuna, Department of Justice, will provide expert analysis and debate what needs to be done moving forward to successfully implement the potential changes. Panelists will provide the most up-to-date status of reform efforts and discuss what’s coming next. 10:30 a.m. – noon, Room 3020, 3rd Floor, Moscone Center West
“Transgender Legal Issues 102: A Guide to Effective Jurisprudence and Advocacy” — Many people have little understanding of the issues that transgender people must navigate. In this workshop, experts will focus on the major legal issues transgender Americans face. The program will explore how the legal system and courts have evolved in the area of transgender jurisprudence. 2 – 3:30 p.m., Room 2008, 2nd Floor, Moscone Center West
“Legislative and Other Developments in LGBT Employment Rights” — In November, voters in three more states approved same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional. Join our panel of experts to discuss the new developments, as well as recent changes in the law relating to LGBT employees, including current issues about benefits for same-sex partners. 3:45 – 5:15 p.m., Room 3024, 3rd 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.
