Midyear Meeting Summary

I'm back from the ABA Midyear meeting in Chicago where I had the chance to catch up with fellow AT members and staff ahead of the Spring meeting next month in Washington. Although the AT usually does not meet during the Midyear meeting, they did host a "Section Round-up" in the Boardroom of ABA HQ Thursday night that was well-attended by current and future AT members and staff. Albert Kim, YLD Antitrust committee Chair, also provided more info for attendees who had not yet joined. Congratulations are in order for Albert, too - he has been recognized as a Star of the Quarter by the YLD Leadership!

Friday, the AL presented a couple of sessions on antitrust related issues, as previously mentioned. The YLD also hosted the "Section Connection" where many of the ABA sections had representatives available to answer membership questions. Friday evening, I also had the chance to update fellow LSD members on the AT's activities and student programs at the LSD Liaison Caucus.

Saturday, the YLD Assembly convened, where delegates heard from ABA President Michael Greco, President-Elect Karen Mathis, and Chair of the House of Delegates, Stephen Zack, among others. For the 3Ls out there, your YLD membership is automatic (and free) following graduation, and for 5 years after you are licensed to practice or until you reach age 36 (details here). So, if you didn't get the chance to participate in the LSD's national activities, there is still a great place for you to connect with your peers in the ABA after graduation.

The AT also sponsored my attendance to the Spirit of Excellence Awards luncheon Saturday afternoon. It was an inspirational and touching awards presentation, made even more enjoyable because we were joined at our table by leadership from the Section of Science & Technology.

I was fortunate once again to have the opportunity to meet many interesting ABA members from across the country while attending informative presentations covering hurricane relief efforts, federal gun control laws, and the "politics of fear," among others. Just keep in mind, the ABA Midyear meeting attracted over 3,000 members for several section meetings - the AT Spring meeting alone already has over 2,000 registrants! If you haven't made plans to attend yet, there's still time. You won't want to miss it.