Many Ways to Take the Lead in 2019

We are now well into our programming schedule for the year. On February 22, we are presenting a program on Smart Cities in Phoenix, partnering with the Innovation, Science & Technology program at the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law. (For information and registration, go to www.asulawcle.com/smartcities). Smart cities are using technology to improve commutes, energy efficiency, services, and the general livability of cites around the world, and technology lawyers are playing vital roles in paving the way.

On March 27 and 28, our National Institute on the Internet of Things will be held in Washington, D.C. This, our biggest event of the year, brings leading figures from industry, government, politics, and law to a highly informative discussion about the IoT technology that is changing our daily lives. For more information and registration, please go to ambar.org/iot2019.

Speaking of technology that is changing how we live, in August your Section took the lead on the emerging subject of blockchain by publishing the first major book on the subject—Blockchain for Business Lawyers. That book serves as the subject of our first “SciTech Focus” series of monthly webinars this past October. Several were held this fall, and more are scheduled each month through spring.

And seemingly every week somewhere in SciTech you can find a newsletter, webinar, brown bag luncheon or article bringing the latest in cutting-edge legal developments.

The legal frontiers in science and technology touch on every aspect of our lives. This issue, in fact, devotes most of its pages to new developments in that oldest and most important of subjects—food. Just as many people today have nutritional habits that differ greatly from those of their parents, food regulation today addresses much different topics than it did years ago. While some constants remain—we do want a safe food supply, for instance—there are new issues on the cutting edge. This issue covers current issues in food law, such as biotech regulation in the food industry, USDA organic certification, cell-cultured meat, and non-dairy milk regulation. I’m hungry already.

I should also mention that new opportunities abound both in the ABA and in your Section. As you have probably already heard, the ABA is adopting a new membership model to maintain its leadership role in the American legal profession. Features that will be evident to members include lower dues, a richer source of content, and other changes meant to make ABA membership more valuable.

Your Section also is adapting to the times. SciTech is trying to have more in-person events, while also striving to have more distance learning events, such as webinars. Our Membership and Diversity Committee, together with our excellent staff, are working on ways to bring content to members via social media, podcasts, and other communication channels. The Council created a Precision Medicine committee last August at its Chicago meeting, and other new committees are in the works. All of these are part of an effort to make SciTech membership a must-have for emerging technology lawyers. Indeed, SciTech is the place to learn now about the issues your law practice will face in five or ten years.

Later this month the ABA is holding its Midyear Meeting in Las Vegas. Please consider joining us there for our major meetings, which will take place on January 25, and for our leadership dinner the evening before. We are planning to concentrate on the ABA’s new membership model and the new opportunities it presents to us. Hope to see you there!