The American Bar Association Section of International Law Spring Meeting will be held on April 13-17, 2010 at the Grand Hyatt New York in New York City. The conference will feature more than 70 programs and 8 optional social events. The pre-registration deadline is Wednesday, March 31, 2010. The deadline for a discounted hotel rate is Tuesday, March 23, 2010.

Last year, I was a first-time attendee; read my posting from the ABA Section of International Law Spring Meeting 2009. Here are my “Top 5 Reasons to Attend” this conference in 2010.

Top 5 Reasons to Attend

1. Networking

• You’ll likely run out of business cards.
• Innovative speed-networking session offers a structured introduction to other attendees.
• Leadership makes a concerted effort to reach out to first-time attendees.
• Speakers are accessible; many are fellow attendees that you’ll see in other sessions.
• Other attendees look forward to meeting new people.

2. Learn About Emerging Trends

• Strategizing Human Rights and the Environment Claims After Wiwa and Other Recent Cases
• Common Law Summary Judgment in International Arbitration
• National Policies Toward Foreign Investment and the Economic Crisis: Another Excuse for Protectionism?
• International Organized Crime: Threats and Remedies
• Harmonization of Law: North America, Europe and Latin America—Developments and Future Prospects
• and 65+ other sessions divided into 11 tracks.

3. CLE Credits Galore

• You can fulfill your yearly mandatory continuing legal education requirements in one week.
• Nearly every session — and possibly every session — is CLE-eligible.

4. Let’s Do Lunch

• Wednesday: Luncheon with the Legal Advisor of the U.S. Department of State, Mr. Harold Hongju Koh (ticketed event)
• Thursday: Luncheon with Distinguished Guest (ticketed event)
• Friday: Luncheon with Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz Founding Partner, Mr. Martin Lipton (ticketed event)

5. Let’s Do Dinner

• Wednesday: Reception (ticketed event)
• Thursday: Reception at The New York Public Library (ticketed event; black tie optional)
• Friday: Chair’s Closing Reception – The Grand Hyatt (FREE)

Points to Ponder

• Being in New York City, the registration and ticketed events fees are higher than last year.
• If you attend, bring more business cards than you think you will need. It may still not be enough.
• The Committees Dinner will be held at The Yale Club at a ticketed price of $95.
  • There are more than 60+ committees, some more active and organized than others.
  • Consider agreeing, in advance, to swap seats with another attendee after the main course. Last year, I attended the Committees Luncheon. Although I was told that attendees would be able to move to different tables, I discovered that there were no opportunities to move around due to the fixed-course meal and limited seating around each table. If they use that same format this year, you basically will pick a committee and then will not be able to move from that table. Depending on the committee leaders, this can be a wonderful opportunity to interact with the leadership and other people in the interest group — or, as in my case, greatly disappointing. The two committee leaders at my table showed up late, announced who they were, and then proceeded to ignore everyone at the table because they had “more important things to do.” They did not explain what the committee did or how to get involved or answer questions.
  • Committees also hold breakfast meetings on Thursday and Friday that can be informative and beneficial to attend.
• The ABA Section of International Law Fall Meeting will be held November 2-6, 2010 in Paris.

Conference Details

2010 ABA Section of International Law Spring Meeting
Date: April 13-17, 2010
Location: Grand Hyatt New York, 109 E. 42nd Street at Grand Central Terminal, NY 10017
Website: http://www.abanet.org/intlaw/spring2010/