SAVE THE DATE: ABA Day in Washington 2012, April 17-19, 2012
Join 2011-2012 ABA President Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III and your fellow state, local and specialty bar leaders for this annual "lobby day" in the nation’s capital! The Obama Administration and the 112th Congress are considering legislation that directly impacts you, your bar entity, your clients, the legal profession and the administration of justice. Your active participation is vital to our successfully educating the Administration and Congress on issues of importance to lawyers. For more information, review the links below.
ABA Day will be held April 17-19, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. The National Conference of Bar Presidents, National Association of Bar Executives, the ABA Section Officers Conference and the ABA Young Lawyers Division co-sponsor ABA Day.
It is very important that bar leaders come to Washington. Since we do not have a PAC or organize political efforts, our influence in Washington relies on our professional expertise and our ability to translate legal concepts into personally compelling stories and consequences. The reputation of our work product, our standing in communities nationwide and personal connections to lawmakers collectively provide us an opportunity to meet with lawmakers and their staff on the issues that matter most to us as members of the bar: access to justice, equal justice for all, equality of opportunity and primacy of the rule of law.
In addition, participating in ABA Day is professionally rewarding and fun, an opportunity to meet and make friends and expand your professional network. We kick off our program with a reception and dinner Tuesday night at which we honor Members of Congress for their contributions to improving the justice system. Wednesday and Thursday will include shared meals with colleagues and an opportunity to reaffirm your understanding of the selected issues by hearing more about the process of lobbying and lawmaking. We will also provide you resources and materials to help share your personal experiences and successes with friends and colleagues after your return.
The ABA Day lobbying workshop and issues training session (attendance required) begins at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 18. Breakfast will start to be served starting at 7:30 a.m., however. Wednesday hill visits are capped off by our Congressional Reception, where we will honor bar leaders for their grassroots advocacy. We start Thursday morning at breakfast to hear inspirational and informative words before returning to the Hill.
Our room blocks at the headquarters hotel (the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill) and the Liaison Capitol Hill hotel are currently sold out. You can still reserve rooms at the Virginian Suites Arlington, however, by visiting the ABA Day Travel Page. Please note that our free registration period has now ended and online registration is closed. A late fee of $100 will now be charged for registration. If you would still like to register for ABA Day 2012, please email Alex Kandalaft at alexandra.kandalaft@americanbar.org.
The ABA Day website also includes a detailed meeting schedule and all the information you need to fully participate in ABA Day.
Please contact Ken Goldsmith, Legislative Counsel, at (202) 662-1789 for additional information about ABA Day.
Follow us on  @ABADayDC for the latest updates on ABA Day! |