The ABA Governmental Affairs Office (GAO) is gearing up for an engaging and impactful ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago. This year, we are excited to participate in a variety of events and activities that will consider critical policy issues and advocacy efforts of interest to the legal profession.
Throughout the conference, GAO staff will be active in numerous events, from the beginning of the Annual meeting on Wednesday evening through the close of the House of Delegates on Tuesday afternoon. We will meet with ABA members and leaders from the Board of Governors, House of Delegates, state and local bars, and various Sections, Divisions, Standing Committees, and Commissions. This is a valuable opportunity for us to connect with you, share updates, and discuss key topics of interest.
A highlight of our participation will be the YLD Panel Discussion on Student Debt, taking place on Thursday, August 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. CST. During this session, GAO’s Director of Grassroots and Digital Advocacy will join other panelists to delve into recent developments in student debt relief. The discussion will include insights from the latest YLD report on student debt and present options for members to engage in meaningful advocacy efforts. This panel will offer insights on the current landscape of student debt and potential policy solutions. It will include a call to action to legal professionals to take the ABA PSLF Survey, the results of which will be used to educate congressional and agency leaders addressing this important issue.
Besides GAO staff participating in entity meetings and events, our Grassroots and Digital Advocacy team will be on hand to demonstrate how to use our Grassroots Action Center tools. These tools enable members to send letters to Congress on important ABA policy issues, make phone calls to congressional offices, and engage with lawmakers on social media. Look for our Advocacy Pop-Up Booth in various locations to get hands-on assistance and experience in using our online tools to complement and maximize your advocacy efforts. You can also sign up for the Washington Letter , our monthly GAO newsletter highlighting legislative and governmental developments.
On Saturday, August 3, GAO will also participate in the Public Service Project Expo from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This event will highlight various public service and pro bono programs offered by the ABA. Visit our booth to learn how you can promote public service initiatives and policies through advocacy and contribute to our collective goals.
Look for members of the GAO team throughout the Annual Meeting. We would love to hear what issues interest you most and catch up on what is happening in Washington DC.
For real-time updates and further opportunities to connect with our team at the Annual Meeting, follow us on Twitter @ABAGrassroots. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago and working together to advance our shared objectives.