Group Meetings and Opportunities

To register, please check the appropriate meetings on your Forum Registration at (https://www.americanbar.org/groups/franchising/).  No Registration Fees.  Must be a registrant of the Forum to participate.

To add a Group Meeting to your existing registration, call 913-387-5627.

Tuesday, October 27
2:30-3:30p.m. PT/5:30-6:30p.m. ET

Join your colleagues for interactive and engaging group meetings, our first networking session of the meeting!

1. Corporate Counsel Legal Department Management (Limited to In-house Counsel Only; Registration Required).

Join the Corporate Counsel Division for an informative discussion on Legal Department Management. A panel of seasoned practitioners will share their key learnings and best tips on:

• the selection and use of outside counsel;
• managing legal spend; and
• legal technology for in-house (including electronic disclosure platforms)

2. LADR Networking and Trivia! (Registration Required)

Join LADR for Networking and Trivia!  After a brief discussion on litigation in the new normal (Zoom trial, anyone?), the LADR Committee will host the first ever Forum on Franchising Trivia Night. Grab a beverage of your choice and compete against your fellow litigators for the title of Trivia Champion! Then network with your fellow attendees while we calculate the results and announce the winners!

3. Law Professors Virtual Open House (Registration Required)

Join Professors Sandy Meiklejohn and David Gurnick to meet, enjoy camaraderie and discuss subjects like: (i) schools where franchise law is taught; (ii) potential schools; (iii) committee resources for those who would like to teach; (iv) how to get a course added to the curriculum; (v) challenges from the pandemic; and (vi) many other possibilities.   

4. International Division: International Franchise Expansion in times of COVID-19 and beyond... (Registration Required)

Gather with your international colleagues for a panel presentation with open Q&A to discuss franchise expansion across borders in times of COVID-19 and in a post COVID-19 era. Is it even possible to embark on new ventures and to cross borders with new business concepts in times of lock downs, closed borders and social unrest? What can we learn from these turbulent times, and are particular business models or industries more successful than others in adapting to the ‘new normal’ of limited travel, working from home, registering for almost any social activity and wearing facial masks? We’ll discuss hospitality, (fast) food, lifestyle and other service concepts but also franchising in fashion, luxury goods and consumer products.

5. Para Professional/Administrators Meeting (Registration Required)

Paralegals and Franchise Administrators are invited to share information/discuss current events/topics regarding franchising and have an opportunity to ask questions of any attending State Franchise Examiners.

6. Solo/Small Firm Meeting (Registration Required)

This year’s Solo/Small Firm Meeting will include speakers covering:  (1) best practices for using technology to effectively communicate with clients, prospective clients, co-workers, and staff; (2) practical tips and realities related to accepting online payments from clients; and (3) how to plan for disaster/incapacity as a solo or small firm practitioner.  After hearing from the speakers, we will split up the participants into small groups to discuss the topics over video, and then rejoin to share important best practices and findings with the larger group.  We look forward to “seeing” you there!

Wednesday, October 28
3:00 – 4:15p.m. PT/6:00-7:15p.m. ET

1. YLD (Young Lawyer’s Division) Speed Networking (Registration Required)

Network with fellow attorneys in the Young Lawyers Division's Speed Networking sessions featuring rotating video breakout rooms with question prompts.

2. Women’s Caucus: Career Planning:  Developing Focus and Navigating Advancement (Registration Required)

The first ever virtual Women’s Caucus will bring into focus realities and advice for attorneys about navigating advancement.  The gender pay gap persists and there is also a gap in opportunities for advancement between men and women.  Career planning is important at every stage of work-life, including identifying goals and steps by which those goals may be achieved.  This experienced Panel has a broad range of experience to help attendees identify factors to consider when planning and pursuing professional and financial advancement.  Attendees will also have the opportunity to break-out with the focus-group of their choice, to candidly discuss pertinent issues such as law firm accounting, profitability, bringing value to your employer, making changes, and promoting your worth.  This Program will provide unique insights and networking and we look forward to seeing you.

Friday, October 30
8:45 – 10a.m. PT/11:45a.m.-1:00p.m. ET

Diversity Caucus: George Floyd could have been me, Former Detroit Police Chief Dr. Isaiah McKinnon

The author of an internationally published opinion piece with the haunting first line: “George Floyd could have been me,” Dr. McKinnon will discuss his decision to enter law enforcement, his experiences, and his thoughts about ways to effect necessary systemic change.  A veteran of the Detroit Police Department, Dr. McKinnon spent five years in the mid-90s leading the Department. Under his leadership, the Department took concrete steps to shift its focus to community-driven policing to help bridge the gap between law enforcement and community, and implemented training programs for officers responding to domestic violence. Since leaving the Detroit Police Department in 1998, he has been a professor of education at University of Detroit Mercy, and also served as Deputy Mayor of Detroit. Dr. McKinnon has appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, Oprah, and The History Channel. He holds a B.A. from Mercy College, an M.A. from the University of Detroit Mercy, and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University. He is also a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy and the U.S. Secret Service School.