ABA Midyear YLD Assembly Meeting in Salt Lake City

By Jennifer Brugger

The ABA Young Lawyers Division midyear meeting was an interesting conference with many useful seminars and meetings, as well as networking and camaraderie with fellow young lawyers.  This report covers the highlights of the ABA/YLD Assembly, held on February 12, 2005.

The YLD Assembly began at 9:00 a.m. with an enthusiastic group of delegates.  There were introductions and a number of presentations.  The ABA YLD Chair, Barrett Watson presented his picks for Stars of the Quarter: merit awards given to members of the YLD. 

There was a presentation on student loan debt.  The ABA has been working on a project to help young lawyers with large student loan debts.  The program is called the Income-Contingent Repayment Option of the William D. Ford Federal Direct Lending Program.  This program provides student loan repayment options for attorneys who work in public service.  Two changes the ABA is urging Congress to make are: forgiveness of the remaining debt after 15 years (currently it is 25 years), and abolishing the so-called marriage penalty.  This has to do with what income is considered for a married couple when determining the repayment requirements.  The ABA is encouraging Congress to implement these changes to make the program more feasible for a greater number of young lawyers.

There were two resolutions debated and ultimately passed by the YLD during the Assembly.  There were lively debates by young lawyers and other professionals on both resolutions.

The first resolution was about patients’ rights in the health care arena.  The resolution was presented as the ABA opposing governmental actions that interfere with patients’ abilities to make informed medical decisions.  The gist of the argument was whether the government should allow exceptions to regulations requiring medical providers to inform patients of health care options, based on religious or other personal beliefs.  After an intense debate, the resolution was passed by the Assembly.

The second resolution involved the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.  The Resolution was presented as the ABA opposing changes to the rulemaking process set out in the Rules Enabling Act.  The changes would alter the parameters of Civil Rule 11 sanctions.  There was a vigorous discussion with presentations for and against the proposed resolution.  After the debate, the Assembly voted and the resolution was passed.

The Assembly also included the adoption of the Consent Calendar.  The Consent calendar contained many worthwhile resolutions including such topics as improving the jury system, supporting the enactment of statutes to compensate persons convicted of crimes they didn’t commit, and passing legislation to prevent delays in granting lawful permanent residence to persons granted political asylum by the United States.

The meeting of the Assembly was very interesting and informative.  The ABA and the ABA YLD are addressing hot topics in the legal field through resolutions and programs.  The resolutions being passed by the ABA involve high profile legal issues and it is nice to see lawyers taking the reins at a national level.   It was a very worthwhile experience and it was fascinating to watch this part of the legal process at work.

Jennifer Brugger is a member of the WYLD Board of Trustees and represents the Peninsula District.  She can be reached at JBrugger@wapa-sep.wa.gov.