Spring Conference Stars
More Than Cherry Blossoms Blooming in D.C. 2008 Spring Conference
By Rachel E. Kopp
Rachel E. Kopp is the Editor of The Affiliate and practices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Spector, Roseman & Kodroff, P.C.
While the presidential candidates were drumming up votes around the country, more than 300 young lawyers from across the United States and abroad invaded the candidates’ turf when they descended on our Nation’s Capitol for the 2008 ABA YLD Spring Conference, April 16–19. This year’s Conference was held in conjunction with ABA Day and the ABA Section of Litigation Annual Conference.
Young lawyers were treated to four days of expanding their networks, sharpening their legal skills, discussing how the profession can become more inclusive, educating Congress on issues of importance to lawyers, and helping local first responders. The Conference offered something for everyone with a writers’ workshop, an implementation of the ABA YLD’s 2007–2008 Public Service Project “Wills for Heroes,” networking receptions, and the ABA YLD’s last Summit of the bar year entitled “Diversity: The Next Generation.”
Spring Conference Stars
Stars of the Quarter were presented at the ABA YLD 2008 Spring Conference in Washington, D.C., to recognize the hard work and dedication of several outstanding young lawyers:
- Tom Bundy, as chair of the host committee for the ABA YLD Spring Conference Washington, D.C.
- Chris Fortier, Vienna, Virginia, for obtaining sponsorship from LexisNexis for the ABA YLD Spring Conference in Washington, D.C.
- Alan Fowler, Everett, Washington, for his work on the ABA YLD’s Young Lawyer Summit (Midyear Meeting).
- Kevin Hull, Chicago, Illinois, for his work on the ABA YLD’s Young Lawyer Summit (Midyear Meeting).
- Danny Van Horn, Memphis, Tennessee, for his work on the membership report and as SCOM (ABA Standing Committee on Membership) liaison.
- C. Erica White, Tallahassee, Florida, for her work in organizing the ABA YLD’s Diversity Summit (Spring Conference).
ABADay
The Conference kicked off with a dramatic “Day on the Hill” as lawyers from the fifty states joined ABA, state, local, and specialty bar leaders to discuss legislation that directly effects the legal community. Young lawyers met with their congressional representatives to educate them on issues of importance to lawyers. ABA Day 2009 will be held in Washington, D.C., on April 21–23. Participation in ABA Day requires advance preparation—for the most current information, continue to check the ABA YLD Calendar of Events at www.abanet.org/yld/meetings.html .
The Conference kicked off with a dramatic “Day on the Hill” as lawyers from the fifty states joined ABA, state, local, and specialty bar leaders to discuss legislation that directly effects the legal community. Young lawyers met with their congressional representatives to educate them on issues of importance to lawyers. ABA Day 2009 will be held in Washington, D.C., on April 21–23. Participation in ABA Day requires advance preparation—for the most current information, continue to check the ABA YLD Calendar of Events at www.abanet.org/yld/meetings.html .
The Writers’ Workshop
Over fifty young lawyers participated in the ABA YLD’s first-ever Writers’ Workshop, which was co-sponsored by the ABA Journal. During this special writing workshop, attendees learned the exciting basics of news and feature writing from two exceptional and experienced ABA Journal experts—Allen Pusey, previously a writer with The Dallas Morning News, who serves as the ABA Journal Managing Editor, and Terry Carter, who has written for many publications including the American Law Journal, and serves as an ABA Journal Senior Writer. If you would like to get tips from these experts, visit www.abanet.org/yld/spring08/materials.html .
Over fifty young lawyers participated in the ABA YLD’s first-ever Writers’ Workshop, which was co-sponsored by the ABA Journal. During this special writing workshop, attendees learned the exciting basics of news and feature writing from two exceptional and experienced ABA Journal experts—Allen Pusey, previously a writer with The Dallas Morning News, who serves as the ABA Journal Managing Editor, and Terry Carter, who has written for many publications including the American Law Journal, and serves as an ABA Journal Senior Writer. If you would like to get tips from these experts, visit www.abanet.org/yld/spring08/materials.html .
Wills for Heroes
At the “Wills for Heroes” implementation in Washington, D.C., young lawyers helped create more than fifty wills for local first responders who work for the U.S. Park Police. The event was such a success that the Park Police has expressed interest in holding another implementation of the program at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island during the ABA YLD’s Annual Meeting in New York, August 7–12, 2008. To learn how you or your affiliate can volunteer, visit www.abanet.org/yld/wills/home.html .
At the “Wills for Heroes” implementation in Washington, D.C., young lawyers helped create more than fifty wills for local first responders who work for the U.S. Park Police. The event was such a success that the Park Police has expressed interest in holding another implementation of the program at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island during the ABA YLD’s Annual Meeting in New York, August 7–12, 2008. To learn how you or your affiliate can volunteer, visit www.abanet.org/yld/wills/home.html .
Diversity: The Next Generation
The ABA YLD Diversity Summit, “Diversity: The Next Generation,” attracted approximately 175 attendees from all racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, and disability backgrounds. The event was co-sponsored by relevant outside groups and all ABA diversity entities. For more information visit www.abanet.org/yld/summits/diversitysummit.shtml .
The ABA YLD Diversity Summit, “Diversity: The Next Generation,” attracted approximately 175 attendees from all racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, and disability backgrounds. The event was co-sponsored by relevant outside groups and all ABA diversity entities. For more information visit www.abanet.org/yld/summits/diversitysummit.shtml .
