WASHINGTON, April 26, 2019 — Senator Lindsey Graham (R.-S.C.), Congressman Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.) and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez will be among the speakers at the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division 2018 Spring Conference, May 2-4 in Washington, D.C. Programs at the meeting will tackle hot-button issues such as public service loan forgiveness and measuring access to justice.
What:
2019 YLD Spring Conference
Sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division
When:
May 2-4
Where:
Washington Marriott Georgetown
1221 22nd Street, NW
Washington, D.C., 200
Other program highlights include:
Thursday, May 2
“A View from the Hill: An Afternoon at the U.S. Capitol” — Sen. Lindsey Graham (R.-S.C.) and Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.) will discuss their experience as lawyers in Congress and important issues relevant to young lawyers. In the second hour, a diverse, interactive panel of young lawyers who currently work as Hill staffers will discuss their daily activities, engagements with other members of Congress, policy-setting powers and use of their legal training in their roles.
Noon-2 p.m., The Capitol Building, Room HC5
“A Special Visit to the Supreme Court with Supreme Court Clerk Scott Harris” — The Clerk of the Supreme Court will offer his perspective on the history and operations of the Court, his journey to the Court, tips on oral arguments before the Court and his thoughts on the role of the Court in the modern age.
2:30-4 p.m., The Supreme Court, Courtroom
Friday, May 3
“Fireside Chat with Former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales” — In 2005, Gonzales became the 80th U.S. attorney general after a distinguished career in the military, and then as a lawyer, jurist and White House official. He is the highest-ranking Hispanic American to have served in executive government. Now as a leader in legal education, Gonzales will share his journey, while also talking about issues facing our country’s legal system and the future of the profession.
8-8:45 a.m., Metropolitan Galleries 1-4
“Forgive or Forget: The Future of PSLF for Public Sector Lawyers” — This program will examine areas of legal tension surrounding the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. It will feature an overview of the requirements for PSLF eligibility and obstacles to receiving loan forgiveness, including the meaning of the term “certain other nonprofit organizations that provide public services,” and misinformation provided by loan servicers (and whether such entities are liable for the dissemination of misinformation).
1:45-2:45 p.m., Metropolitan Gallery 5
Saturday, May 4
“Men of Color Summit” — This event will bring together leaders in the legal profession, law students and those beginning their careers for networking, conversation and connecting on issues of importance. Speakers will be Bakari Sellers, CNN political analyst and attorney with the Strom Law Firm LLC in Columbia, S.C.; and Preston Mitchum, an adjunct law professor at Georgetown University Law Center and member of the board of directors of Collective Action for Safe Spaces in Washington, D.C.
9 a.m.-1 p.m., Howard University School of Law, Houston Hall, Moot Court Room, Washington, D.C.
“The Justice Gap: Measuring and Addressing Access to Justice” — This program brings together legal experts, law faculty, practitioners and bar leaders who are attempting to measure and address the yawning gap between civil legal needs and available legal resources. While most lawyers are aware that there may be a growing “justice crisis,” few know about the extent of its reach and the remedies currently being tested. The panelists include Amanda Leigh Brown, Louisiana Bar Foundation, Lagniappe Law Lab, New Orleans; Ajay K. Mehrotra, American Bar Foundation; Northwestern University, Chicago; and Tanina Rostain, Georgetown Law Center, Washington, D.C.
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Metropolitan Gallery 4
A complete agenda can be found online.
There is no charge for media covering this event. To register, please contact Priscilla Totten at 202-662-1094 or Priscilla.Totten@americanbar.org.
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