Latest trends explored, awards presented at ABA conference

Insights into hot-button issues, from unprecedented assaults on the First Amendment to the 10th Amendment concept of federalism and the relationship between federal and state governments, are among the topics of 60 programs to be presented during a joint conference of the American Bar Association Section of Litigation and Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division, May 1-3 in New York City.

The conference for lawyers and judges from across the U.S. and Canada also recognizes outstanding contributions to the quality of justice and diversity in the legal community during awards luncheons:
The Diversity Leadership Award Luncheon on May 1 recognizes the contributions of U.S. District Court Judge Richard A. Jones of Seattle, co-founder of the Northwest Minority Job Fair.

The John Minor Wisdom Public Service and Professionalism Award will be presented on May 2 to John G. Levi, chairman of the board of directors of the Legal Services Corporation, the single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans who would be otherwise unable to afford adequate legal counsel. 

The award is presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to equality of justice in legal communities, ensuring that the legal system is open and available to all.

Solo and Small Firm Lifetime Achievement Awards on May 3 will honor Gary L. Anderson of San Antonio, Texas, who served as an assistant U.S. attorney for 28 years and Glenn Lau-Kee, of New York, who serves on the executive committee of the New York State Bar Association. The Solo and Small Firm Trainer Award will be presented to Cynthia Sharp of The Sharper Lawyer in Philadelphia.

Programming focuses on building trial skills, case management, practice advice, business development, ethics, diversity and inclusion, young litigators and mental health and wellness.

Highlights include:

• “The Media in the Crosshairs: The Vital First Amendment Values at Stake” — R. Bruce Rich of Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York will moderate as experts examine the state of press freedom and the prognosis for the future.  Panelists include Sunny Hostin, ABC News, The View; David E. McCraw, The New York Times; David Remnick, The New Yorker; Nadine Strossen, New York Law School.

• “Whither the 10th Amendment?  State Attorneys General, Federalism and Litigation” — Oregon Attorney General Ellen F. Rosenblum will moderate. Panelists include Jeff Landry, attorney general for the State of Louisiana; Karl A. Racine, attorney general for the District of Columbia; Daniel B. Rodriguez, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago; and former Wisconsin solicitor general Misha Tseytlin of Troutman Sanders LLP in Chicago. 

• “From Broadway to the Courtroom: A Mock Oral Argument Showcasing Alexander Hamilton, the Lawyer”—This reenactment of Hamilton’s argument in People v. Croswell, a case that forced the highest court in New York to decide whether truth is a defense to libel, includes analysis by First Amendment practitioner Alex Abdo of the Knight First Amendment Institute in New York.  Speakers include Ishan K. Bhabha, Jenner & Block in Washington, D.C.; Judge Joseph A. Greenway, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Newark, N.J.; and Judge Therese M. Stewart, California First District Court of Appeals in San Francisco.Explo