YLD ABA Midyear Meeting Schedule

The 2024 ABA Young Lawyers Division's Midyear Meeting will be held in Louisville, KY. Take advantage of networking opportunities, engage in ABA governance, attend CLE programming, celebrate industry leaders, and learn how the House of Delegates enacts change for the profession. Register today!

All scheduled events are tentative and subject to change.

All sessions will be held at the Louisville Marriott Downtown, 280 W. Jefferson, unless otherwise indicated.

All times are Eastern Standard Time.

Check back for frequent updates and program descriptions.

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Cosponsored Program: Diversity in the Judiciary – Pathways to the Bench Evening Panel
University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law

This program brings a diverse pool of judges and lawyers into middle and high schools, summer programs, and after school programs to teach teenagers and young adults about courts and the judiciary, the rule of law, and the importance of civic engagement.

Thursday, February 1, 2024

4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
National Conference of Bar Presidents Next Generation Bar Plenary
Ballroom 5, 2nd Floor

How can Bar Leaders amplify the voice of their Bar Associations?  Which communication methods are most effective to accomplish your goals?  How should you utilize in-person outreach, email, and social media effectively? How can you mobilize your members to take action on a new project?  What do you need to do once your members are mobilized?  All these questions and more will be answered during this illuminating panel discussion.  We will be debunking common generational myths along the way, so join us for this insightful program to help all bar leaders make a meaningful impact in their Bar.

5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
NCBP Reception
Kentucky Ballroom Foyer, 1^st Floor

Friday, February 2, 2024

7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Well-Being Activity: 5K

Participants will meet in the lobby of the Marriott hotel, depart at 7 a.m. then finish at the Hotel Starbucks for a Dutch treat coffee or pastry. Map route below.

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
YLD Information Desk
Kentucky Ballroom Foyer, 1st Floor

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
YLD Public Service Project (Encouragement Card Drive)
Kentucky Ballroom Foyer, 1st Floor

The ABA Young Lawyers Division and the Kentucky Young Lawyers Division hope to work together to organize an impactful Midyear Pop-up Public Service Project to help foster children locally and nationally. We will be collecting encouragement cards for Braid Mission and personal hygiene goods for Home of the Innocents foster children at this year’s Midyear Meeting. 

Attendees at the Midyear meeting will be asked to bring personal hygiene goods (i.e. deodorant, toothpaste, soap, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion) and while on-site, write encouragement cards to foster children at our booth.

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
YLD Assembly Delegate Certification
Salon Foyer F

10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.
District Representative Meeting
Skybox, 2nd Floor

10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Co-sponsored Program: Stepping Up, Lawyers Defending Democracy
Old Louisville Room, Omni Hotel

Democracy is not a partisan issue. Whether you are a Democrat, a Republican, or an Independent this program is for you. Our democracy is in peril and right now it requires all of us to step up to ensure our democracy today and for generations to come. Join us to learn the many ways available to lawyers to defend democracy. Our discussion will start with a presentation on threats to democracy and election officials by David Becker, Executive Director and Founder of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, and a member of the ABA's Task Force for American Democracy. A discussion of the myriad of opportunities for lawyers to defend democracy will follow, including: opportunities to provide pro bono assistance to election workers who have been the victim of threats, harassment, and other egregious actions; engage and educate their local communities about how the election process really works; serve as poll workers; and general civic engagement and public service opportunities.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
YLD Council Meeting
Kentucky Ballroom E, 1st Floor

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
What Do Lawyers Do (off-site)

• Simmons College of Kentucky
  1018 S. 7th Street
  Louisville, KY 40203

12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Co-sponsored Program: The Past and Future of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
Old Louisville Room, Omni Hotel

This panel discussion will trace the path of the Supreme Court’s Second Amendment jurisprudence from the watershed 2008 decision in D.C. v. Heller, to the history-focused test set forth in NYSRPA v. Bruen, to the currently pending case of United States v. Rahimi. Darrell Miller and Andrew Willinger of the Duke Center for Firearms Law will explore these decisions and consider the Second Amendment’s interaction with various federal, state, and local gun regulations—including laws restricting gun possession by domestic abusers, categorical bans on semiautomatic weapons, and sensitive places laws.

3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
YLD Scholar's Meeting
Bluegrass I, 2nd Floor

3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
YLD Co-Sponsored Program GOOD Guys: Calling All GOOD Guys: Maximizing the Incredible Financial and Intangible Benefits of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)
Olmsted 4, Omni Hotel

Male leaders in particular are invited to join top level bar leaders for a discussion with male leaders who are champions for DEIB about the current state of the profession in terms of diversity, and the amazing opportunities for business and organizations of all types to grow financially, and benefit from a variety of intangible impacts of diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments, where all persons feel a sense of belonging. The program will include a presentation about the important role male leaders must play in the 21st century, and a panel discussion of GOOD Guys (GOOD=Guys Overcoming Obstacles to Diversity) who will share their experiences in becoming activists, the financial and non-financial benefits of DEIB, and why more male leaders are needed as change agents.

3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cosponsored Program: Ethical Red Flags in the Public Sector

5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
First Timers Orientation
Bluegrass 2nd Floor

7 p.m. YLD
Scholars Dinner
Invite Only

7 p.m.
Dine-Arounds

Saturday, February 3, 2024

7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
YLD Assembly Delegate Certification
Kentucky Ballroom Foyer, 1^st Floor

7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
YLD Information Desk
Kentucky Ballroom Foyer, 1st Floor

7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
YLD Breakfast
Salon 9

7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
YLD Public Service Project (Encouragement Card Drive)
Kentucky Ballroom Foyer, 1st Floor

The ABA Young Lawyers Division and the Kentucky Young Lawyers Division hope to work together to organize an impactful Midyear Pop-up Public Service Project to help foster children locally and nationally. We will be collecting encouragement cards for Braid Mission and personal hygiene goods for Home of the Innocents foster children at this year’s Midyear Meeting. 

Attendees at the Midyear meeting will be asked to bring personal hygiene goods (i.e. deodorant, toothpaste, soap, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion) and while on-site, write encouragement cards to foster children at our booth.

7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
Redistricting 2020: Creating Representative Districts for Local Elections
Ballroom 3 & 4, 2^nd Floor

The 2020 Census captured the change in demographics across the country, which included many positive changes for underrepresented populations. To represent many of those changes properly with the Supreme Court’s well established one-person, one-vote principle, state and local authorities must respond to the documented demographic shifts with corresponding election districts. These redistricting efforts are frequently the cause of disputes and litigation. Redistricting has a large impact on all levels of elections, including local municipal authorities such as police juries. (SIDE NOTE: My DeSoto Parish case was a local police jury, which I feel ties us into the Bracken mission.) In this program, the panelist will discuss the 2020 Census, applicable law, and how resulting redistricting efforts impact local voting districts and elections. This program will also discuss young lawyer contributions on this important issue through mechanisms such as pro bono legal services.

9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
YLD Assembly
Kentucky Ballroom E-G, 1st Floor

1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Affiliate's Campfire
Ballroom 4, 2nd Floor

2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Passing the Torch: Living Diversity (non-CLE, joint Men of Color and Women of Color event) 
Ballroom 3, 2^nd Floor

This program is an opportunity for veteran attorneys, who have lived and worked a diverse legal career, to “pass the torch” to young/new attorneys of color,  who seek guidance on navigating the legal industry. Through sharing their experiences, program speakers will identify the unique experiences people of color face in the legal field and empower attendees to navigate these unique challenges. Discussion will include: hiring and retention dilemmas, conquering the workplace mindset, the importance of “firm citizenship,” mentorship development, and navigating inner and outer office social dynamics. This program can benefit any attorney and equip attendees of all legal ages to leave empowered and ready to take the torch.

Presenters:

•    ABA President Mary Smith - Opening Remarks
• Lonita Baker, Corporate Counsel, Waystar; Louisville, KY; Past President of the National Bar Association                                              
• Betty Ballí Torres, Executive Director, Texas Access To Justice Foundation; Austin, TX
• Demetrius Holloway, Attorney, Stites & Harbison; Louisville, KY
• Rudy Monterrosa, Monterrosa Law Group; Commissioner, ABA Commission on Immigration; South Bend, IN

3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
YLD Fellows Board Meeting
Ballroom 1-2, 2^nd Floor

4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Family Feud with YLD Fellows
Ballroom 8-9, 2^nd Floor

7:30 p.m.
Ghost Tour (extra ticket purchase required)

We invite you to join us for the ABA YLD Midyear Social Event, which will be a guided ghost tour of historic Louisville! Come spend the evening at this spooky fun experience with your young lawyer friends and colleagues. All ABA Midyear registrants and family members are welcome. Please dress warm for the weather, and wear shoes for walking. Email Donna Nesbit at [email protected] and Spencer Rubin at [email protected] if you have an accessibility request or other questions. Please purchase your ticket for the 7:30 p.m. tour ($27.50 before taxes) by clicking here (required). You cannot purchase this ticket through the ABA registration site or in-person at the YLD Assembly.

Sunday, February 4, 2024

3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Caucus of Young Lawyer Delegates to the ABA House
L004, Kentucky International Convention Center

Law Student Division Events

Friday, February 2

4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
LSD  Council Meeting (Offsite)