Investing in Cuba, urban redevelopment and data protection among topics at ABA conference
Leading practitioners and professionals from across the country will discuss important developments in real property, trust and estate law during the 30th Annual Spring Symposia hosted by the American Bar Association Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law on May 10-11 in Orlando, Fla.
Program highlights include:
• “Planning Considerations for U.S. Investment in Cuba and Other Latin American Countries” — In view of a more receptive local environment for cross-border investments, investors are giving greater attention to Latin America, including Cuba and Mexico. This program will focus on legal, tax and cultural aspects affecting investment in these countries and Cuban, Brazilian and Mexican lawyers will provide insights into the differences among those jurisdictions. The panelists will explore: Legal structures to hold income-producing and personal/leisure real estate; United States’ restrictions on foreign investment; financing considerations; exit strategies for selling Latin American real estate; and local property, transfer and other real estate tax considerations.
• “Urbanization and Gentrification: Tools to Increase Social Equity While Revitalizing City Centers” — Mixed uses, walkability and 24-hour convenience draw young working professionals and aging baby boomers to cities’ cores that, during the latter half of the 20th century, had suffered rapid population loss due to ever-expanding suburbia. Reinvestment in many American cities provides a host of benefits to urban economies and populations, but more desirable living environments can lead to skyrocketing costs of living, displacing individuals and families. This program will explore: How zoning strategies can contribute to or alleviate gentrification; impacts associated with property tax assessment; how infrastructure and environmental issues hamper redevelopment; and types of incentives available to advance growth and redevelopment in urban areas.
• “It May Be a Small World but You Still Need to Wait Your Turn–Issues with Elder Planning and Abuse” — This panel will discuss attorneys’ roles and responsibilities in protecting aging clients (and their assets) from the seemingly well-intentioned next generation. Topics include: Issues with aging clients and their families; planning for diminishing capacity; litigating undue influence and financial abuse claims; and ethical rules regarding elder abuse.
Other highlights include:
• “Cybersecurity and Data Breach Prevention: What Every Transactional Attorney Must Know”
• “When Harvey Met Irma: Drafting Lease and Construction Provisions that Withstand Damage and Destruction”
• “Cabins and Compounds – Boats and Biplanes: Planning for Vacation and Recreation Assets”
• “It’s a World of Tears and a World of Fears: Crisis Management of Estates”
Workplace bullying, NCAA scandals among topics at ABA Young Lawyers Division spring meeting
Experts participating in the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division 2018 Spring Conference, May 10-12 in Louisville, Ky., will tackle hot-button issues such as technology advances in pro bono work, college sports scandals and workplace bullying.
Program highlights include:
• “Beyond the School Yard: Harassment and Bullying in the Workplace Ethics” — Bullying can occur almost anywhere, including the workplace. Attorneys have the opportunity, and sometimes legal and ethical obligation, to address workplace bullying. This panel will examine different types of workplace bullying and the various related laws and policies. Panelists, including Roula Allouch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Cincinnati, will discuss how to spot, address and prevent workplace bullying.
• “Pro Bono in the 21st Century: Using Tech to Advance Pro Bono” — Utilizing new technology can greatly increase pro bono participation. One such technology is virtual reality. Panelists will explore how virtual reality is being used to train pro bono attorneys for courtroom hearings.
• “Child Abuse, Elder Abuse and Mandatory Reporting Laws” — A diverse panel from the legal, medical and academic fields will discuss mandatory reporting laws for child abuse and elder abuse. Panelists will also discuss resources for victims and their organization’s efforts to prevent child abuse and elder abuse.
• “Cardinal Sins” — The face of college athletics has changed over the past decade in myriad ways. It seems like every new season brings new game-changing legal decisions. A panel will discuss the current state of sports, from the program and player payment scandals at the University of Louisville, to intellectual property issues, players’ unions and the NCAA as an institution.
• “The Intersection of Domestic Violence and the Black Lives Matter Movement — How to Best Advise Victims in Fear of the Consequences of Police Contact” — How does this unique moment in history contribute to the experience of domestic violence victims of color? A panel, including Jessica Green of the Louisville Metro Council, will explore the intersection of criminal justice reform and domestic violence, focusing on systemic responses to domestic violence reports involving people of color, including the impact of nuisance ordinances and prosecutorial discretion.
International issues, assisted reproductive technologies the focus of ABA Family Law spring conference
Leading practitioners and professionals from across the country will discuss important developments for family law lawyers during the 2018 Spring CLE Conference hosted by the American Bar Association Section of Family Law, May 9-12 in Nashville, Tenn.
The conference features a full day of programming highlighting international family law and assisted reproductive technologies on May 9. In addition, there are three days of programming for new and seasoned family law practitioners on topics such as child custody issues across state lines, when immigration law intersects with family law and taking into account entitlement programs in divorce actions.
Program highlights include:
• “The Child’s Voice: Cross-Border Parentage—When Hague and Child-Abduction Conventions, Rights of the Child and Issues of Habitual Residence Apply to Your ART Case” — With step- or second-parent adoption internationally there are issues of Full Faith and Credit/Comity and questions of whether The Hague or Child Abduction conventions apply, especially if such adoptions relate to parentage through surrogacy. If the conventions do apply, the related complications can be extensive.
• “A Coat of Many Colors: The European Human Rights Dimension of ART Families” — Many European countries differ in approaches toward surrogacy and assisted reproduction, leading many European intended parents to access ART overseas. In recent years, both the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) have had to grapple with human rights issues, particularly when domestic law does not recognize the child born as a result of ART as a child of the IPs. An international panel of experts will cover key decisions from the European Court of Human Rights and the CJEU.
• “When Immigration Law and Family Law Do-Si-Do” — Federal immigration law determines who can study, work and live in this country. A panel will discuss immigration and family law crossover topics, including fiancé(e) visas; family-based immigration; international adoptions; the affidavit of support; immigration benefits for survivors of domestic violence; and the effect of immigration status on custody, parenting time, child support and spousal support.
• “UCCJEA and Relocation: Jurisdictional Problems” — When one parent wishes to relocate to another state, the other parent (and the court) may be concerned about the potential loss of jurisdiction over any subsequent modifications of the custody order. This session will discuss the exclusive continuing jurisdiction provision of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), parental agreements and other jurisdictional considerations in relocation cases.
• “Untangling Safety Nets” — Divorce can substantially impact Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and numerous other benefits available through federal entitlement programs. A panel will explore several issues regarding entitlement programs that should be taken into consideration when advising clients who are contemplating or already involved in a dissolution of marriage action.
