2010 ABA Annual Conference

The 2010 ABA Annual Conference, organized by the American Bar Association (ABA), is a premier event that brings together legal professionals from across the nation to discuss and address critical issues in the legal field. The conference serves as a platform for members to engage in discussions, share insights, and collaborate on various legal topics.

Key themes of the 2010 conference include the influence of international law on U.S. death penalty cases, with a special program featuring a panel discussion on this topic. The panelists, including Gregory J. Kuykendall, Counsel to the Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Richard Wilson, Professor of Law at American University, explore the legitimacy of considering international human rights instruments in capital cases and the impact of foreign governments' opposition to the death penalty on foreign nationals. The session concludes with a discussion on universal principles of fairness and due process among countries that retain the death penalty.

The conference offers networking opportunities, allowing attendees to connect with peers, experts, and policymakers. The event is co-sponsored by the Civil Rights and Social Justice Section, ABA Criminal Justice Section, Section of International Law, Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants, and the San Francisco Bar Association. Notable speakers include Maurice Possley, a Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist and former Chicago Tribune reporter, who moderates the panel discussion.

Legal professionals, scholars, and advocates interested in the intersection of international law and U.S. legal practices, particularly in the context of capital punishment, would find this conference valuable. Attending provides an opportunity to gain insights into current legal challenges, engage in meaningful discussions, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on human rights and justice.