Live Updates from the ABA Midyear Meeting in New Orleans

Today we will be posting from the ABA Midyear in New Orleans.  We hope to provide live real time coverage for most of the meeting.  Technology willing we will provide continual live updates on the actions of the HOD. (All time stamps are local time and approximate).  You can follow us on Twitter @jerseylegal we will be using the “hash tag” #abamidyear.   Linda Klein, Chair of House of Delegates opened the proceedings promptly at 9:00 am. 9:06        The presentation of the colors by the New Orleans Fire Department. 9:09        Louisiana Associate Supreme court Justice gives the invocation. 9:12        Welcome remarks by the Mayor of New Orleans, Mitchell Landrieu. The city is grateful that the ABA has returned to New Orleans.  “New Orleans is a great success story”.   The mayor gave a serious speech and was funny and entertaining. Mayor Landrieu predicts the Saints will be in the Super Bowl in New Orleans next year. New Orleans ’ gift back to the country will be the city’s progress going forward. 09:28     Laura Farber welcomes new Delegates to the House of Delegates and moves the Roster be the permanent roster of the House. 09:36     Gene Vance, Chair of the Rules and Calendar gave the report of the committee.  There are three state and local bar late resolutions that will be considered at today’s meeting.   There are three late resolutions which have been approved for debate and consideration today.  The rules of limited debate will apply to resolutions without opposition. 09:42     Hon. Cara Lee Neville, ABA Secretary, moved the Summary of Action which was adopted. As part of the preliminary matter the House recognized deceases members. 09:55     ABA President Bill Robinson gives his remarks. Lack of funding for state courts is a real problem that denies justice. Most state judiciaries receive less than 3% of their states budget in funding. This crisis has a direct effect on the public.  “We are on a disastrous path” The ABA is committed for the “long haul” to address the lack of state court funding and its impact on justice and our democracy. 10:12     Linda Klein, Chair of House of Delegates gives her report.   She recognizes the committees of the House and reviews House procedure. 10:17     Consideration of Resolutions – Summaries of the resolutions can be found here. Resolution 10A            Adopted Unanimously  Resolution 101A          Adopted Resolution 101B          Adopted Resolution 101C          Adopted as Amended Resolution 101D          Adopted Resolution 101E          Adopted Resolution 101F          Adopted Resolution 101G          Adopted as Amended   10:58     Hon. Eric Washington, President of the Conference of Chief Justices, gives remarks. Language Access to courts is an important issue to judicial administration and judicial independence. Chronic underfunding of state courts threatens the Rule of Law. Lack of civics education threatens the judiciary and its role in a democracy.   11:14     Resumption of Consideration of Resolutions Resolution 113          Adopted. Resolution 102B        Adopted after opposition and full debate. 11:48     Ethics 2012 Presentation by Carolyn Lamm, Past ABA President The consideration of Ethics 2012 will be bifurcated over two meetings August 2012 and February 2013. 11:58     Presentation of Lucian T Pera, ABA Treasurer. The Associations finances are sound despite future economic challenges. 12:12       Lunch 1:30        Meeting resumes 1:32        Report of the Nominating Committee 1:45        Remarks of James Silkenat, President Elect of the ABA 1:58        Report of Archiving ABA Policy 2:02        Resumption of Consideration of Resolutions Resolution 103        Adopted as amended after opposition and full debate. Resolution 104        Withdrawn 2:37         ABA Section of Legal Education & Admission – Special Report: Legal Education and Accreditation 2:43         Report of ABA Executive Director Jack Rives ABA must show the value of membership 3:12        Resumption of Consideration of Resolutions Resolution 105  Adopted Resolution 108  Adopted Resolution 109  Adopted Resolution 110  Adopted Resolution 111  Adopted Resolution 112  Adopted Resolution 114  Adopted as amended Resolution 115  Adopted Resolution 10B  Adopted Resolution 302  Adopted as amended Resolution 303  Adopted Resolution 304  Adopted 4:10      The House of Delegates meeting is Adjourned