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Welcome to the 95th Annual Convention of the National Bar Association. I join you in celebrating the tremendous history of this great organization. While the convention may be virtual, our presence as an organization is heroic and powerful. This year’s annual convention comes at a tumultuous time in America’s history. Our nation and our civil liberties are plagued and threatened by COVID-19, police brutally/excessive use of force, and unprecedented election suppression across the nation. As we face these troubling and uncertain times, I do not take for granted the demands ahead and the need to intensify our bond with our regions and affiliates, our affinity groups, our coalition partners and our lawyers globally. In fact, this is our time to shine, to be servant leaders and to be purveyors of justice. Without a doubt, this country needs the National Bar Association and its magnificent members NOW, more than ever. We are ready, willing, and able to respond to the call for our leadership. Indeed, the National Bar Association is a powerful force and our strength emanates from our powerful and rich history. Our presence is indelible and our mark on the world is undeniable. Thank you for your support and your trust in electing me to serve as the President-Elect of this legendary organization. My decision to run for president-elect and your decision to vote for me, converged due to our collective belief that the National Bar Association is positioned to be one of the leading social justice organizations in the world and we must take our rightful place in building a more just America. As members of the National Bar Association, we kneel for justice and stand up to fight. It is my honor to stand with you this upcoming year as we tackle new challenges at this critical time in our history. Again, thank you for your confidence in my leadership. I wish to give a special salute to President Alfreda Robinson and her team for leading this past year with strength, grace, and courage. "A luta continua, Vitória é certa.” The struggle continues, victory is certain. Tricia “CK” Hoffler
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NBA OFFICERS 2019-2020 ALFREDA ROBINSON NBA 77TH PRESIDENT TRICIA “CK” HOFFLER PRESIDENT-ELECT NATHANIEL LEE VP OF FINANCE YURI WALKER VP OF MEMBERSHIP LONITA K. BAKER VP OF REGIONS & AFFILIATES LAMONT R. BAILEY VP OF SECTIONS & DIVISIONS ASHLEY L. UPKINS SECRETARY HON. LEONARD MURRAY TREASURER MEMBER AT LARGE CHERYL BERNARD-SHAW MEMBER AT LARGE DOMINIQUE CALHOUN MEMBER AT LARGE HON. ANNE-MARIE CLARKE MEMBER AT LARGE SEKOU GARY MEMBER AT LARGE MARIA C. JOHN MEMBER AT LARGE DEAN TAMARA LAWSON
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BOARD OF GOVERNORS 2019-2020
Officers Dean Alfreda Robinson Tricia "CK" Hoffler Lamont R. Bailey Lonita K. Baker Nathaniel Lee Yuri Walker Ashley L. Upkins Hon. Leonard Murray Members-at-Large Cheryl Bernard-Shaw Dominique Calhoun Hon. Anne-Marie Clarke Sekou Gary Maria C. John Dean Tamara Lawson
Washington Bar Association - Henry Floyd J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, Inc. - Angel Murphy Virgil Hawkins - Grasford Smith GABWA - Liz Broadway Brown D. Augustus Straker Bar - Kimberley Ann Ward Monroe County Bar Association - Valerie Johnson National Bar Institute (NBI) - Dr. Walter Sutton Past President, 2018-2019 - Joseph Drayton Past President, 2017-2018 - Juan R. Thomas Past President, 2016-2017 - Kevin D. Judd Past President, 2015-2016 - Benjamin Crump Past President, 2014-2015 - Pamela Meanes Historian - John Crump
Region I - Miniard Culpepper Region II - Ghenya Grant Region III - Cliff A. Christophe Region IV - Will Hudson Region V - Clara Saafir Region VI - Jonathan Richardson Region VII - Ellen Douglass Region VIII - Melvin Simms Region IX - Terry Wiley Region X - Shammara Henderson Region XI - Adria Green Region XII - Kendra Perkins-Norwood Government Lawyers - Christopher Hebert Judicial Council - Hon. Shauna Graves-Robertson Law Professors - Dean Tamara Lawson Law Students - Kevin Jones Legislative - Amber L. Freeman LGBTQ - Jonathan Patterson Minority Partners in Majority Firms - Sheila S. Boston Small Firms/Solo Practitioners - Marwan Porter Women Lawyers (WLD) - Valencia Rainey Young Lawyers (YLD) - Nick Austin Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) - Gloria Johnson Civil Rights Advocacy Law - Tanya Clay-House Civil Trial Advocacy Law - Vanita M. Banks Commercial Law - Kwamina Thomas Williford Corporate Law - Twanda Turner-Hawkins, IL
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PAST PRESIDENTS +Joseph Drayton (2018-2019) New York, NY +Juan Thomas (2017-2018) Aurora, IL +Kevin D. Judd (2016-2017) Washington, D.C. +Benjamin Crump (2015-2016) Tallahassee, FL +Pamela Meanes (2014-2015) St. Louis, MO +Patricia Rosier (2013-2014) Lanham, MD John E. Page (2012-2013) Irvine, CA Daryl D. Parks (2011-2012) Tallahassee, FL Demetrius D. Shelton (2010-2011) Oakland, California Mavis T. Thompson (2009-2010) St. Louis, MO Rodney G. Moore (2008-2009) Atlanta, GA +Vanita Banks (2007-2008) Northbrook, IL Linnes Finney, Jr. (2006 -2007) Port St. Lucie, FL Reginald M. Turner, Jr. (2005-2006) Detroit, MI Kim M. Keenan (2004-2005) Baltimore, MD **Clyde E. Bailey, Sr. (2003-2004) Silver Spring, MD Malcolm S. Robinson (2002-2003) Dallas, TX Michael S. Rosier (2001-2002) Largo, MD Evett L. Simmons (2000-2001) Port St. Lucie, FL Harold D. Pope (1999-2000) Southfield, MI Beverly McQueary Smith (1998-1999) Jersey City, NJ Randy K. Jones (1997-1998) Chula Vista CA
U. Lawrence BozĂŠ (1996-1997) Houston, TX Keith W. Watters (1995-1996) Washington, D.C. H.T. Smith (1994-1995) Miami, FL Paulette Brown (1993-1994) Madison, NJ Hon. Allen J. Webster, Jr. (1992-1993) Los Angles, CA Sharon McPhail (1991-1992) Detroit, MI Algenita Scott Davis (1990-1991) Houston, TX **Thomas A. Duckenfield (1989-1990) Washington, D.C. James O. Cole (1988-1989) Ft. Lauderdale, FL +Dr. Walter L. Sutton, Jr. (1987-1988) Bentonville, AR Thomas J. Broome (1986-1987) Oakland, CA Fred D. Gray (1985-1986) Tuskegee, AL Arthenia L. Joyner (1984-1985) Tampa, FL Hon. Dennis W. Archer (1983-1984) Detroit, MI Warren Hope Dawson (1982-1983) Tampa, FL Hon. Arnette R. Hubbard (1981-1982) Chicago, IL **William A. Borders, Jr. (1980-1981) Washington, DC Robert L. Harris (1979-1980) Oakland, CA Junius W. Williams (1978-1979) Newark, NJ Mark T. McDonald (1977-1978) Houston, TX **Hon. Carl J. Character (1976-1977) Shaker Heights, IL
**W. George Allen (1975-1976) Ft. Lauderdale, FL **Charles Howard (1974-1975 Baltimore, MD Archie Weston (1973-1974) Chicago, IL **O.T. Wells (1972-1973) New York, NY **James W. Cobb (1971-1972) Washington, D.C. **Hon. Edward F. Bell (1970-1971) Detroit, MI **Hon. William E. Petersen (1969-1970) Chicago, IL Charles Waugh (1968-1969) Muskegon Heights, MI **Hon. Billy Jones (1967-1968) East St. Louis, IL **Hon. Revius O. Ortique (1965*-1967) New Orleans, LA (2 year term) **Theodore Coggs (1963*-1965) Milwaukee, WI (2 year term) **Robert Lillard (1961*-1963) Nashville, TN (2 year term) **Elmer C. Jackson (1959*-1961) Kansas, KS (2 year term) **Hon. William Thompson (1957*-1959) Washington, D.C. (2 year term) **Hon. Richard Atkinson (1955*-1957) Washington, D.C. (2 year term) **Harold Bledshoe (1954-1955) Detroit, MI **W. Harold Flowers, Sr. (1953-1954) Pine Bluff, AR **Hon. Scovel Richardson (1951*-1953) New York, NY (2 year term) ** James R. Booker (1949*-1951) Little Rock, AR (2 year term)
**Thurman L.Dodson (1947*-1949) Washington, D.C. (2 year term) **Earl R. Dickerson (1945*-1947) Chicago, IL 2 year term) **Charles W. Anderson (1943*-1945) Louisville, KY (2 year term) **Euclid Louis Taylor (1941*-1943) Chicago, IL (2 year term) **Sidney R. Redmond (1939*1941) St. Louis, MO (2 year term) **William L. Houston (1937*-1939) Washington, D.C. (2 year term) **George W. Lawrence (1935*-1937) Chicago, IL (2 year term) **Eugene W. Rhodes (1933*-1935) Baltimore, MD (2 year term) **Jesse S. Heslip (1931*-1933) Toledo, OH (2 year term) **Raymond P. Alexander (1929*-1931) Washington, D.C. (2 year term) **C. Francis Stradford (1928-1929) Chicago, IL **Homer G. Phillips (1927-1928) St. Louis, MO **Charles Calloway (1926-1927) Kansas City, MO **George H. Woodson (1925-1926) Des Moines, IA PLEASE NOTE: ** Indicates Deceased + Indicates Member of the Board
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NBA FOUNDERS **George S. Adams **Jesse N. Baker **S. Joe Brown **Charles H. Calloway **Wendell E. Green **William H. Haynes **Charles P. Howard, Sr. **L. Amasa Knox **James B. Morris **Gertrude E. Rush **C. Francis Stradford **George H. Woodson
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Nicholas David Bedford Dino A. Bovell, Jr. Honorable Arien Cannon Kertisha L. Dixon Jason G. Downs Kevin G. Edwards II Sierra Elizabeth Trenika L. Fields Veronica W. Glaze Josiah Graham Maryam Hatcher Roger L. Johnson Reginald E. Jones Carla Jordan-Detamore Jaelyn Edwards Judelson Adaryll Lee Antonio Lee Stacy Elizabeth Lee Taisha Lewis Brandi J. Lowery
Jocelyn Mitnaul Honorable Augusta A. Massey Ryan E. Middleton Alicia M. McNeal Angel M. Murphy Zachee Pouga Tinhaga Tim Reed Albert Sanders, Jr. Sheldon A. Smith Tiffany J. Smith Sean Spence Charlyn Stanberry Knia Tanner Joshuah R. Turner Erick Tyrone Rosezetta Upshaw Marcus Eldrey Williams Suntrease Williams-Maynard Chloe’ R. Woods Micah C. Zeno
Sunday, July 26, 2020 BICENTENNIAL OF MISSOURI COMPROMISE OF 1820 This CLE session will discuss, critically, the Bicentennial of the Missouri Compromise as a federal statute adopted by Congress in 1820. The primary objective is to demonstrate the recurring legal paradox or pattern of promising justice while actually denying equal justice under color of law to African-Americans and others. Charles Hamilton Houston pioneered the focused use of the U.S. Constitution, especially the Civil War Amendments, as a legal foundation for persuading courts to grant equal justice under the law. This is the essence of Houstonian Jurisprudence. This CLE will analyze the federal statute embodying the Missouri Compromise (and its legislative history), as well as, subsequent federal statutes, opinions (including the Dred Scott and Shelby County v. Holder cases) and constitutional amendments in order to demonstrate the historical operation of the legal paradox. This critical approach will enable legal practitioners to understand the historical and legal impact of this repeating legal paradox that gave rise to the need for Houstonian Jurisprudence in the first place. The Panelists will discuss the fundamental need - - at all times - - for the practitioner to clearly understand and fully prepare for honest and ethical persistent in equal justice advocacy and litigation in the light of historical and jurisprudential realities; not illusions. The ethics component is about 25% of the session.
CIVIL RIGHTS LAW SECTION - SUPREME COURT REVIEW The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us in different and incredibly difficult ways. It is also true that the systemic and institutionalized racism in this country has caused Black and brown communities to suffer disproportionately. This nation’s “original sin” of slavery and the dehumanization of Blacks and ultimately the othering and racial denigration of all non-white persons has never been fully dealt with or accounted for in this country. This has allowed racism to infect all elements of our society. It has enabled some to use and abuse their privilege to threaten the lives of Black men and women, simply for existing, or bird watching in the park. It has enabled the continual murder of unarmed Black women and men by police without any accountability. Concurrently, the decades of underfunding and defunding of public schools has undermined the ability of people of color, particularly the Black community to create a lasting foundation for the advancement of our communities. Put together, this has created dueling realities for Black and brown people in this country. Racism is learned and taught. We can teach and learn to be better. Institutional and systemic racism is the reality of this country. This nation’s failure to truly confront our history and reality is palpable. While the ways in which this nation must course correct is complicated and even difficult for some, we can all agree that empowering our communities, particularly those who have been without a voice, is a necessary step. The right to exercise the power of one’s vote without encountering unnecessary barriers is the first step in enabling all to make necessary changes in our country. This Civil Rights Forum will discuss the intersections between criminal justice, education and voting rights and how we can empower our communities so that traditionally disenfranchised communities can elect leaders with a moral compass, and create a more inclusive democracy that sets us on a path to a more equitable and just society.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR REFORM This panel of experts will address the most current issues of police brutality, racial injustice, and police reform legislation. Our panelists are among the top lawyers in the nation on this topic. Attorney Ben Crump is the lawyer for the George Floyd family, as well as for the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Martin Lee Anderson, and others. Ben Crump is also the author of the book Open Season: The Legalized Genocide of Colored People. Professor Paul Butler is a MSNBC Legal Expert and expert witness in the recent Congressional hearing on police reform. Professor Butler is also the author of the book Chokehold: Policing Black Men. Deans Mario Barnes and Tamara Lawson are academic leaders and scholars in this field providing lectures and trainings nationally and internationally. Their scholarly publications include: Powerless Against Police Brutality: A Felon’s Story, A Fresh Cut in an Old Wound: The Critical Analysis of the Trayvon Martin Killing, The Whites Only Tree: Prosecutorial Discretion in Jena Louisiana, Analyzing Stops, Citations, and Searches in Washington and Beyond, Criminal Justice for Those Still at the Margins: Addressing Hidden Forms of Bias and Politics of Which Lives Matter. This expert panel will tackle these hard issues with legal precision and share proposals for future reforms.
Monday, July 27, 2020 SUPREME COURT REVIEW This Seminar will review the Civil Rights Cases of the 2019-2020 term and preview cases for the 2020-2021 Term. This year, the Court has been particularly busy on a variety of civil rights issues from the rights of DACA students, LGBTQ employment rights, the undermining of Section 1981 racial discrimination claims, religious liberty and reproductive rights and more. This seminar will provide insight into arguments and ultimate rulings of the Supreme Court and its impact upon future civil rights claims.
SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE #ME TOO ERA IS EVERYONE’S ISSUE The goal of this panel is to expose NBA lawyers to the complexities of handling sexual assault cases and employment matters in the "Me Too" era by comparing and contrasting military and civilian criminal prosecutions and discussing the employment and administrative issues born in the #Metoo era. Lastly, this CLE hopes to encourage NBA members in different practice areas to undertake cases both in military and civilian jurisdictions. SPONSOR: U.S. NAVY
DOING BUSINESS WITH THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION This seminar will provide participants with an understanding of the FDIC’s mission, its history and evolution, and its practices for doing business. It also includes an overview of employment opportunities at the FDIC.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020 WHERE WE ARE NOT AND HOW DO WE GET THERE? This session will focus on areas of the law where you might not expect to find black women, but we are there. The panel members will share experiences about meeting obstacles head-on, how to keep going when the path takes you up an icy hill on a cold day with no boots! We will also seek a deeper understanding why our blessings are about more than us.
THE ROLES OF BLACK JUDGES IN TIMES OF TURMOIL This is a conversation about what commitment to your oath, fairness, and justice looks like when distrust is rampant and you are a part of the branch of government that is “charged” with failing the Black community. What is the unique role, responsibility, and experience of being a Black judge during this period of civil unrest in the context of our community’s historical distrust of the justice system and policing, and what creates "the system"? We will discuss how we have managed engaging in difficult conversations with our colleagues while balancing our lives amid personal experiences. How to provide emotional and mental support to, and create leadership for, others who labor daily alongside us in pursuit of "we who labor here seek only the truth" and look to us for guidance. Most importantly, we will explore how to leverage our personal experiences to be of greater service to the judiciary, the community, and to be a true gatekeeper of fairness.
ON THE FRONTLINE FOR BLACK LIVES: THE ROLE OF LAWYERS AS ACTIVIST IN THE FIGHT FOR BLACK BODILY AUTONOMY This session will explore the various methods of state-sanctioned control and violence that impact Black communities. We will highlight the intersection of the criminal system and reproductive rights and justice. Panelists will conduct an in depth discussion regarding the issues raised in the current Supreme Court case, June Medical Services v. Russo and specifically the impact on African American lives. We will further discuss the role lawyers can play in the frontline fights for the bodily autonomy of African Americans.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020 (Continued) KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: CYBERSECURITY & LEGAL ETHICS This CLE will attempt to educate the attendees about emerging threats, ethical obligations to clients, and survival tactics. It is no longer a question of whether attorneys and law firms should use social media to promote their practice, but rather how they can use social media marketing to attract new clients.
INTRODUCTION OF EVIDENCE IN COURT: EXHIBITS, FOUNDATION AND EVIDENTARY ISSUES This is a basic seminar on how to introduce evidence in court, how to make objections to evidence which is improper and other issues that may take place during court proceedings in your case. Do you read the rules of evidence prior to every trial? Some of the leading trial lawyers in the country do. Why is it so important to know your rules of evidence during trial prep and during trial? Motion in limine? Hear from attorneys who have done multiple trials and why they believe evidence is so important. They will also discuss how Brady, Giglio, and Jenks work with evidentiary rules.
AN ELDER LAW GUIDE TO WEALTH PLANNING
Wednesday, July 29, 2020 OBTAINING AND MAINTAINING EMPLOYMENT IN THE AREA OF COVID-19 As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread at an alarming rate, employers are dealing with strenuous and evolving financial and workforce management issues. These issues may require employers to reduce salaries, reduce workforce, or limit employment offers. This 90-minute webinar will provide innovative strategies for lawyers and law students to maintain their current employment or obtain new employment. Legal recruiters, legal career coaches, attorneys, and others, will share practical advice for obtaining new employment, securing your career, and more. This panel discussion will include the current state of the hiring market with industry experts, strategies to obtain employment, and strategies to maintain your current employment.
WHAT EVERY SUCCESSFUL CONTENT CREATOR NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT U.S. COPYRIGHT LAW With the increased popularity of technology, more people and businesses are becoming content creators. This session will provide an overview of the basic principles of copyright law, including the “bundle of rights� afforded by the law, the types of works protected (and not protected), exceptions and limitations, registration, remedies, common misperceptions, and other important topics of which every content creator should be aware.
CHAPTER 11 AND THE NEW SMALL BUSINESS REORGANIZATION ACT The course is an introduction to Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and the new small business reorganization act. There will be an analysis and comparison drawn between representing individuals in chapter 13 and chapter 11. We will discuss the rules, procedures and steps to effectively represent an individual who elects to reorganize in chapter 11 under the new small business reorganization act.
The NBI Annual Meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, from 1:30 - 2:30 pm EST. Participants must be registered for the NBA Annual Convention and be current with NBI dues or be a NBI Life Member. Agenda items will include officer/committee reports, election of directors, and by-law amendments. The proposed by-law amendments will increase the number of directors and modify the standing committees. We look forward to your attendance!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
ENERGY CONSULTING AROUND THE GLOBE
ARENT FOX LLP BAKER DONELSON BAKER MCKENZIE BALLARD SPAHR LLP BEVERIDGE & DIAMOND LAW CROWELL & MORING LLP DORSEY WHITNEY OF MINNEAPOLIS ENTERGY CORPORATION FAEGRE DRINKER JONES DAY PJM QUARLES & BRADY LLP SHELL ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW THOMPSON COBURN VENABLE LLP WILLIAMS & CONNOLLY LLP
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE 95TH ANNUAL CONVENTION & EXHIBITS!
Thank You, President Alfreda Robinson!
CONGRATULATIONS ON A SUCCESSFUL BAR YEAR, WE ARE FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND ALL OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS YEAR!