American Bar Association President Mary Smith announced the launch of the ABA Presidential Speaker Series, a collection of diverse virtual conversations with globally recognized figures. The online series, which aims to elevate discourse by spotlighting the trailblazers and thinkers, kicks off with Ivo Daalder, chief executive officer of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and former U.S. ambassador to NATO, on Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. EDT.
October 02, 2023 ABA Presidential Speaker Series
New program highlights thought leaders
Subsequent episodes will include conversations with, among others, labor rights icon Dolores Huerta (3 p.m., Oct. 12), Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese (3 p.m., Oct. 19), U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland (3 p.m., Nov. 2), and former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Charles Johnson and former federal judge J. Michael Luttig (3 p.m., Dec. 7).
The guests in the speaker series encapsulate Smith’s theme for her presidential term, “Lifting Our Voices, Charting the Future.” Each installment offers a fireside-chat format that delves into the personal and professional journeys and pivotal moments of these influential guests, and discussions of pressing national and global concerns.
“Law touches everything in society, and we are privileged to launch the new ABA Presidential Speaker Series with a stellar lineup of luminaries who every day lift their voices and chart the future with their work,” Smith said. “These conversations will foster civility and engender stimulating conversations. We hope these conversations will inspire our members, particularly young lawyers and law students, and lead to ways that our members can continue to serve the profession and advance the rule of law. These special conversations are not to be missed.”
To introduce the series, the first four installments will be free to both ABA members and the public. Thereafter, the series will continue to be free for ABA members but will include a charge for nonmembers.
Additional episodes will be announced. More information on the Presidential Speaker Series can be found at ambar.org/PresidentialSeries.