Cyberattacks, antitrade fraud among business and technology highlights at ABA meeting

Cyberattacks, issues of privacy and data security and antitrade fraud are chief among business and technology legal issues that will be explored at the 2015 American Bar Association Annual Meeting July 30-Aug. 4 in Chicago.

High-profile speakers at the meeting include U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens (July 31, 12:15 p.m.) and Attorney General Loretta Lynch (Aug. 1, 4 p.m.). Also, several corporate social responsibility experts, including Judge Virginia M. Kendall of the Northern District of Illinois and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros in Illinois’ Northern District will address antitrade fraud best practices to achieve business objectives and more.

In addition to the more than 1,400 events at this premier gathering of legal professionals, the ABA House of Delegates — the association’s policymaking body — will meet at 9 a.m. on Aug. 3-4 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago’s Grand Ballroom, Gold Level, East Tower.

Business and technology programs include:

Thursday, July 30

— “From Surviving to Thriving: LGBTQ in the Work Place” — D’Arcy Kemnitz, executive director of the LGBT Bar Association, is among panelists who will share real-life experiences and tangible take-home advice on what it takes for LGBTQ persons to thrive on the job.

— “Digital Millennium Copyright Act: Recent Trends and Things to Come” — Experts from Twitter, Google and the Recording Industry of America will discuss recent developments in take-downs and copyright management under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

— “Data Breaches and Trade Secrets: What to Do When Your Client Gets Hacked” — Strategies for managing cyberattacks on proprietary information, personally identifiable information and other data will be shared. Various types of cyberattacks, the legal and regulatory risks that result from data breaches, applicable laws, regulations and standards, recent litigation, insurance coverage and reasonable response measures will also be reviewed and discussed.

Friday, July 31

— “The Employment Law Implications of Medical Marijuana” — As 23 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for medical purposes, an expert panel will examine the legal and policy issues in the workplace that arise from marijuana use. Panelists will discuss the intersection of off-duty conduct laws, disability laws and conflicting federal and state laws that prohibit or permit the use of marijuana.

— “The Overlapping Dynamics of Trade Fraud and CSR Initiatives: What it Means and Why It Should Matter to You” — Panelists – including Judge Virginia M. Kendall of the Northern District of Illinois and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros in Illinois’ Northern District – will discuss criminal, regulatory and compliance implications of country-of-origin fraud and other trade violations designed to protect American industries, as well as recent corporate social responsibility laws. The panel will also address how corporations can proactively use CSR and antitrade fraud best practices to achieve business objectives, win over consumers and distinguish one company from the next.

— “The 24/7 Workplace and its Ramifications” — A panel will explore the legal issues arising in the 24/7 workplace including privacy and data security, telecommuting and off-duty conduct, family responsibilities discrimination, performance standards and evaluation and privilege concerns.

— “#IsThisAdmissible?” — Experts will examine the use of social media evidence including relevance, authentication, reliability and the application of the hearsay rule.

— “Garcia v. Google: Performance Rights and Politically Sensitive Content” — Panelists who participated in the Garcia v. Google case will discuss the merits of the decisions by the District Court, the Ninth Circuit panel and the en banc Ninth Circuit (if decided), and the potentially far-reaching implications of this case on the entertainment industry.  

Saturday, Aug. 1

— “Counting the Costs: Ramifications of Dismissing the Business Case for Diversity and Inclusion and What to Do about It” — Many law firms and law departments remain unconvinced of the value that increased diversity and inclusion would bring.  Experts will examine the real costs of not embracing the business case for diversity and inclusion.