Against a backdrop of majestic mountains, a sprawling waterfront, and bustling cityscape, TIPS members gathered in the “Great White North” for the ABA Midyear Meeting in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. Headquartered at the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel, the midyear gathering was a productive one that included meetings for all TIPS business and standing committees, as well as meetings for many of the more recently formed task forces including Hurricane Response and Women Trial Lawyers.
July 31, 2018 What's New at TIPS
Meeting Round-Up: ABA/TIPS Midyear Meeting 2018 Vancouver, British Columbia
By Sierra J. Spitzer
A definitive highlight of the meeting was the public service project on February 2 at the Vancouver branch of the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) because: puppies! For this project, the TIPS Animal Law Committee, TIPS Law in Public Service Committee, and the ABA Young Lawyers Division partnered with Vancouver BC SPCA and Atira, a nonprofit working to end violence against women. At the event, TIPS members had the opportunity to hear from Marcie Moriarty, BC SPCA chief prevention and enforcement officer, regarding the link between animal abuse and domestic violence, as well as from Megan Senatori, member of the TIPS Animal Law Committee and founder of Sheltering Animals of Abuse Victims (SAAV), who spoke about the work of her foundation. Following the speakers, TIPS members assembled support packs for women and their pets being assisted by Atira and enjoyed playing with three adorable fur ball Labrador puppies.
The Midyear Meeting also shined a spotlight on young lawyers. On February 2, the TIPS Committee on Outreach to Young Lawyers (COOYL) sponsored an interactive event for members of the ABA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) called “TIPS Talk,” during which young lawyers could stop by the COOYL table to get some friendly “tips” and advice for navigating the ABA. Attendees also had the chance to engage with more seasoned attorneys regarding the future of the practice of law and learn how newer lawyers can utilize the ABA to enhance their practice and brand. TIPS also sponsored a lively reception for YLDers the following night at the hotel that was well attended by TIPS and YLD members alike.
Many TIPS members used their free time in Vancouver to take in a night of Canada’s favorite pastime on ice by attending a Canucks hockey game, eating at one of the city’s many fine dining establishments, or enjoying a Canadian lager at one of the popular watering holes in Gastown. All attendees were grateful for the relatively mild winter weather during the Midyear Meeting—Vancouver temperatures in the 40s were much more tolerable than the frigid weather other locations across North America were experiencing the first week of February!