Friday at Annual Conference 2005 offers more programs and seminars than ever before, giving attendees their best chance ever to learn about new legal developments, debate the hottest topics in today's law, as well as explore the latest in law-office tools and services and have time to catch up with colleagues from across the state.
The three-day conference is taking place March 3-5 at the Marriott Copley Place Hotel in Boston.
In addition to 13 "Recent Developments in the Law" survey programs that are a mainstay of each year's conference, this year the MBA is unveiling the "Briefings" series. Each of the 13 programs in this new set of open-discussion sessions will focus on a single subject, allowing for in-depth discussion and exchange of ideas between expert panelists and participants.
For complete details on each of the briefings programs, as well as the list of Recent Developments programs, please check the Annual Conference 2005 Web site (www.MassBar.org/AC05) or look at the brochure that was mailed to all members recently. The "Briefings" topics include:
• Summary Judgment in Employment Law
• Uniform Probate Code Legislation
• How Much Equity Power Does the Probate Court Have?
• Highlights and Pitfalls of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 for Small Business
• What to Do When They Don't Pay: Understanding and Handling Health Insurance Denials
• Web Commerce: A Decade Young - Some Things Your Client Needs to Know
• Taking it to the Limit: Contact with Opponent's Present and Former Employees
• Life after Commonwealth v. DeGiambattista
• Permits by Design
• USA Patriot Act Update
• Working with and Advocating on Behalf of Limited English Speaking Litigants
• Revisiting the Proposed Rules of Evidence: Has the Time For a Uniform Code Arrived?
• Plain English Jury Instruction Project
Friday begins with remarks by MBA President Kathleen M. O'Donnell and a legislative update from General Counsel Martin Healy. And the educational portion of the day wraps up with a plenary session on Professional Responsibility and Lawyers Liability & Malpractice Avoidance.
A midday highlight is the annual Access to Justice Awards Luncheon, featuring keynote speaker Kenneth Feinberg, special master to the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. (See related articles, pages 12,13).
And continuing throughout the day are a wide range of exhibits in the Exhibit Hall, where providers of legal products and services will explain and showcase new practice-related services and technologies. Also scheduled in the Exhibit Hall will be a series of Tech Talks, featuring guest speakers who will discuss how to solve some of the business challenges facing today's legal profession. These brief sessions can be a great way to gather some fresh ideas and make contacts to bring solutions back to your office.
Following this full day of programming, attendees will welcome a chance to unwind at a reception, beginning at 5:30. This is followed by Annual Dinner 2005, a separately ticketed event that includes two major MBA awards and a speech by Calvin C. Johnson, Jr., a wrongfully convicted man who was released after many years behind bars and who then helped launch the Georgia Innocence Project. (See related articles for details, pages 12 and 15.)
The Massachusetts Bar Association's Annual Conference 2005 takes place March 3-5, 2005, at the Marriott Copley Place Hotel in Boston.