The state court funding crisis, efforts to ensure access to justice, foreclosure prevention and disaster preparedness will be among the isses discussed at the American Bar Association Midyear Meeting in New Orleans, next month.
Speakers at the Feb.1-6 meeting include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Attorney General Eric Holder and lawyers Theodore B. Olson and David Boies, co-chairs of the ABA Task Force on Preservation of the Justice System, who will discuss measures to mitigate the impact of severe funding cuts to the nation’s courts (Feb. 4, 9 a.m.).
Also, several local experts will discuss legal issues and disaster preparedness using Hurricane Katrina and the Deep Water Horizon oil spill as launch points.
In addition to the more than 900 events, members of the ABA House of Delegates will meet to discuss policy issues.
Program highlights inclue:
• “Preventing Foreclosure: A Win-Win Solution for Everyone” — This session will feature a discussion on how to prevent homeowners from falling victim to rescue scams, offering tips on referrals to legitimate legal resources. The session will also cover federal and state laws that protect tenants in foreclosed properties. Panelists include Rutledge Simmons of NeighborWorks America and Ranie Thompson of Southwest Louisiana Legal Services.
• “When Fracking Comes to a Community Near You” — High-volume hydraulic fracturing for natural gas is a controversial issue that impacts land-use planning throughout the country. A panel will offer environmental, land-use planning, state and local government, and consulting perspectives.
• “Rescue in Deep Water: Legal Liability of Rescue Efforts in Catastrophic Accidents” — The Deepwater Horizon crisis raises questions on the appropriate liabilities of deep sea rescue companies under maritime and general law. A panel will explore amending legislation in order to make responders immune from claims.
• “Diversion: Best Practices to Ensure Fairness, Conserve Public Funds and Enhance Public Safety” — Experts in pretrial services will identify potential policy and programming reforms, and examine the current diversion reform efforts in New Orleans. Panelists will discuss the challenges in implementing a fair, safe and accountable system of pretrial justice, as well as discuss diversion’s impact on public safety, public funds and reducing recidivism and racial disparity.
• “Two Years After the Gulf Oil Spill” — Two years after the Gulf Oil spill, some contend that Washington continues to keep a “boot on the neck” of exploration and production in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico in the name of the environment. Meanwhile, Cuba is set to begin drilling 50 miles from Florida. This program will consider what the United States can do to minimize the risk of U.S. environmental damage from Cuba’s new drilling program.
• “A Comprehensive View of Where Cyber Crime is Headed” — A challenge for lawmakers is keeping pace with emerging technologies and the increasing sophistication of cyber attacks. Panelists will provide an overview of: laws and proposed changes; the problems and emerging trends in cyber crime investigations; social media as an instrument of crime and a source of evidence; and legislation on cyberbullying.
• “The Cost of Justice: Ensuring Access to Justice When There’s No Money” — A panel will outline what courts, prosecutors, defense counsel, police and lawyers can do to manage with limited resources, identify sources for new funding, and fashion collaborative strategies to effect vital policy and funding reforms at the national and state levels.
• “Visible Invisibility: Breaking Down Barriers to Women’s Leadership” — Representatives from the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession will preview the results of its new survey of diversity dynamics in Fortune 500 corporate legal departments, focusing on the experiences of women attorneys — particularly women of color — in the areas of recruitment, hiring, retention and advancement.
• “Alexander Award Reception” — The ABA Council for Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Educational Pipeline will present its Alexander Award to recognize exemplary leadership in encouraging young people of diverse backgrounds to consider legal careers.
The 2012 honorees are The Pre-Law Summer Institute for American Indians and Alaskan Natives and Sarah E. Redfield.
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