Mark your calendar now for the Massachusetts Bar Association's Annual Conference 2005, set for March 3-5 at the Marriott Copley Place Hotel in downtown Boston. The theme for this year's conference is "Lawyers: Champions of Justice. Protectors of Liberty."
Expanding on new programming options introduced at the 2004 conference, this year's event will feature even more educational programs and speakers, new seminars on law technology and practice management, career development programs and an increased role for MBA sections.
Annual Conference 2005 is your best opportunity all year to see colleagues and make new connections while catching up on the latest legal developments, sharpening your skills and having fun with friends.
Among the highlights already set for March are:
• The Annual Dinner on Friday, March 4 will feature keynote speaker Calvin C. Johnson, Jr., who spent 16 years behind bars in Georgia for a rape he did not commit.Johnson was freed from prison after he professed his innocence, finally getting aid from law professors and the Innocence Project. Johnson's conviction had been based largely on a flawed eyewitness identification. In 1999, DNA tests ruled out the possibility of his involvement in the rape. He was subsequently exonerated and released from prison. Johnson's autobiography, "Exit to Freedom," which was written with forensic science professor Greg Hampikian of Clayton College & State University, recounts Johnson's horrific experience and the reality of racism in the criminal justice system. Johnson now is one of the founding members of the Georgia Innocence Project.
• Kenneth Feinberg, Special Master to the federal September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, will serve as guest speaker at the annual Access to Justice Luncheon on Friday, March 4. Feinberg is one of the nation's leading experts in mediation and alternative dispute resolution, and is managing partner and founder of The Feinberg Group, LLP, with offices in Washington, D.C., and New York City.
• New seminar/forum programs on current critical issues in selected practice areas.
• New Thursday and Saturday programs on law practice management issues, law & technology topics and career development tips and techniques.
• Special low pricing options for new lawyers, legal-services and government attorneys and law students.
• Section Council meetings held at the conference.
• Tech Talk mini-seminars on law-practice topics.
• Dine-Around options for attendees on Thursday night.
Whether you are a general practitioner or a specialist, solo attorney or government lawyer, in-house counsel or legal administrator, the MBA's Annual Conference 2005 is your best opportunity for professional development, business practice updates and networking with peers.