This year marks the 50th anniversary of the ABA Science and Technology Law Section (SciTech). As we celebrate the Section’s tenure and accomplishments, it is fascinating to think back to the state of science and technology 50 years ago and the advancements since then. As a privacy attorney, I am also struck by another 50-year anniversary—that of the Privacy Act of 1974, a statute that governs how the federal government utilizes personally identifiable information about individuals stored and retrieved in systems of records.
While the Privacy Act could certainly (in my opinion) use some updates, particularly with regards to cloud computing technology, it is amazing how well it has aged. It continues to be the chief privacy law governing how the federal government approaches privacy, helping agencies evaluate how they store and protect personal information and inform the public about their authorities and uses of such information. The Privacy Act also provides rights to individuals, whose records are stored within the relevant systems, to request information about themselves, as well as seek amendment if they believe the information about them is incorrect. These principles remain vitally important in other privacy contexts. And while many new assessment requirements at the state or international level have layered on additional requirements, these bedrock elements have been preserved.
In the same way, SciTech continues to preserve a bedrock approach that shapes how the ABA considers and addresses issues pertaining to science and technology. Some committees have been around since the beginning of my tenure with the Section over a decade ago, such as e-Privacy and Homeland Security. Others, such as the Law Student Engagement Committee, were created during the trials and travails of the pandemic as SciTech leadership recognized the need for a focused approach to engage with the next generation as we shifted to a new way of working. And just this year, SciTech inaugurated two new committees—the Committee on Risk and Trust Management and the Committee on Law School and Interdisciplinary Education Outreach. The creation of these committees was inspired by the recognition that SciTech needs to be actively engaged with law school faculty and legal education and the importance of enterprise risk management in addressing potential problems and issues associated with new technologies.
Technology is constantly advancing—both today and 50 years ago. It will be constantly advancing 50 years from now. It is this constant nature of change that makes being a lawyer in this space so exciting and rewarding. SciTech also actively seeks out non-lawyers who have expertise in either science or technology, to benefit from their insights and to connect them with leading lawyers who are seeking to develop cutting-edge responses for their clients or the public sector.
To the law students or recent graduates or technology experts with an interest in this space—I encourage you to take advantage of all the SciTech Section has to offer you as you begin your legal career. Check out our 24 different committees, on topics ranging from AI to Precision Medicine to Cleantech and Climate Change, to name just a few. We have a space for your interests and practice and would welcome the inclusion of your expertise, as we look to the next 50 years ahead of us. Come join us!
