Aloha from Honolulu

It is my pleasure to bring this final series of posts as LSD-AT Liaison from the 2006 ABA Annual Meeting (AM) in beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii (tough job, but somebody had to do it). I am also pleased to introduce my successor for 2006-2007, Robyn Rosen, a rising 2L at the University of Houston Law Center. She is also attending the AM and will soon be blogging here about what's in store for LSD-AT members during the next bar year.

LSD AM activities began in earnest yesterday at the Ala Moana Hotel. Students had the chance to attend an introductory LSD program on "Who We Are and What We Do" early in the afternoon before breaking out into separate circuit meetings. While there, Circuit Governors had the chance to meet and update their fellow circuit members on key activities and agenda items during the annual meeting and for the upcoming bar year. (I am proud to report the 13th Circuit (Texas & Louisiana) had a large number of attendees. Robyn is also serving as Lt. Gov. of Reporting for the 13th Circuit so you can expect to hear more from her on any records we may have broken!)

There are 11 candidates for 3 LSD Delegate positions to be elected during the AM. These Delegates will be the voice of law students in the ABA House of Delegates. A "Meet the Candidates" forum was held yesterday afternoon ahead of the Ho'ohui in the Convention Center's Rooftop Garden. We enjoyed some great food and drinks while meeting fellow law students from across the US and Pacific territories.

This morning, the LSD Delegate Candidates are scheduled for more in-depth Q&A sessions with students. There will also be a panel presentation regarding Pro Bono Partnership Programs during lunch. Later in the afternoon, there will also be a Deans Panel discussion with representative Law School Deans covering issues of interest and concern for Deans and law student leaders. The Diversity Awards and National Awards Receptions are scheduled to follow later in the evening.

Needless to say, the schedule is packed full of great opportunities for law students to meet with their peers, law school faculty & administrators, and ABA members & staff, while enjoying the sights and sounds of beautiful Waikiki, Honolulu, and the island of Oahu. We also have the benefit of some great hosts from the University of Hawaii to help out with transportation and additional group activities at local hot spots (Thanks, guys!).

The full AM program book, including activities from all the other sections, divisions, and forums, is available here. Somehow, I'm going to have to find a way to make use of the great EXPO giveaways I picked up yesterday, including an enormous beach towel from Thomson West and sunscreen from Thomas Cooley Law School - wish me luck! ;-)