Experts participating in the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Spring Meeting will tackle hot-button issues such as the crisis in law enforcement in communities of color, tax and ethical issues surrounding the legalization of marijuana and cybersecurity, among other topics.
In addition to its programming, the division will host a free legal clinic for Tampa's homeless youth as part of its 2014-15 public service project, "Project Street Youth: Young Lawyers Advocating for Street Youth" on Friday, May 15, from 9 a.m. to noon at Metropolitan Ministries Outreach Center, 2301 North Tampa St., in Tampa.
Program highlights include:
"Fireside Chat with Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and Ramón A. Abadin" - On June 30, 2014, Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labarga was sworn in as the first person of Hispanic descent to lead the state judicial branch. Come join the conversation between Labarga and fellow Cuban-American, Ramón A. Abadin, president-elect of the Florida Bar Association, as they discuss the arc of their legal careers, their respective paths to leadership, the state of diversity in the judiciary and the bar and provide insight to young lawyers on achieving personal and professional success.
"Up in Smoke: The Ethical and Tax Implications of the Legalization of Marijuana" - The convergence of federal and state law on the distribution and use of marijuana raises numerous legal issues for growers, distributors, marijuana users and attorney advisers, among others. An expert panel will examine how interested parties navigate the legal haze surrounding the booming industry with a particular focus on the how the Rules of Professional Conduct and the tax code are implicated.
"Hitting a Moving Target: What Every Lawyer Should Know about Cybersecurity and National Security Law" - Given the ongoing globalization of our society, coupled with the ever increasing need to ensure U.S. intelligence and other assets are strategically protected both at home and abroad, this program will focus on the overarching impact and implications of cybersecurity and national security law and policy with regard to all lawyers. A panel of experts in this burgeoning area will inform young law practitioners about basic concepts, key terms and definitions, political considerations and the specific application of cybersecurity and national security law concepts in practice.
"Resolving the Crisis: Strengthening Relations Between Law Enforcement and Communities of Color" - Recent homicides by police in Ferguson, Staten Island, Cleveland and Baltimore have drawn national attention to a crisis in law enforcement relationships with communities of color. An expert panel will provide insight into the problem and offer proposed solutions from law enforcement, social sciences and legal academia, civil rights law, civilian oversight and community organizations.
A complete agenda can be found online at www.americanbar.org/groups/young_lawyers/events_cle/2015_spring_conference.html
Published: Wed, May 06, 2015
