Alaska Bar Association
Virtual Annual Convention
September 13-15, 2021
The Alaska Bar Convention will be held virtually to ensure the health and safety of the membership, staff, and the communities around them.
For Sponsorship/Booth information please contact Lynn Coffee, CLE Coordinator at Lynn@alaskabar.org. For a printable version of the agenda click here.
2021 Convention Information
Welcome and thank you for joining us for the 2021 Alaska Bar Annual Convention to be held in virtual format on September 13-15. As we look forward to in-person meetings in the future, we are grateful in our current circumstances for the opportunity to utilize dynamic technology to gather as a community to share important annual events.
Everything you need will be online, in one convenient place. Log on, and you will be able to attend CLE programs and earn credits, visit exhibitor booths, chat with speakers, and catch up with colleagues, all from the comfort of your home or office. Also, if you are not able to attend all the sessions live, they will be available for viewing after the Convention. We would love to see you online in September!
MCLE ALASKA
The 2021 Alaska Bar Virtual Convention provides a total of 11.5 CLE Credits. Depending on your choice of concurrent session, you may earn a maximum of 4.5 Ethics CLE Credits. Your member dashboard does not track which CLEs are attended. Each attorney is responsible for maintaining a personal record of attendance for CLE credit.
REGISTRATION FEE
$179…………………………… 3-Day access to all CLEs
TWO-FOR-ONE
Any new lawyer admitted to the Alaska Bar five years or less can pair with another new lawyer OR a more experienced lawyer to attend convention CLEs for just ONE registration fee. Two-for-one registrants must register together under one login and payment must be made with one credit card. For questions about 2-for-1 registration, please contact CLE Coordinator Lynn Coffee at Lynn@alaskabar.org.
You must pre-register to attend. The last day to register is September 12, 2021.
CONVENTION CANCELLATION POLICY
There are no refunds or cancellations for the virtual Annual Convention. If you are unable to attend when the program is live, the programs will be available to you for viewing after the Convention.
QUESTIONS? Call the Alaska Bar office at 907-272-7469 or e-mail cle@alaskabar.org for more information.
Free CLE passes do not apply to the convention.
PRE-REGISTER FOR THE VIRTUAL CONVENTION HERE
7:30 a.m. Virtual Exhibit Hall Open – Please visit our sponsors and learn how our exhibitors’ unique products and services may help in your practice or at
home
8:20 a.m. WELCOME ADDRESS
Ben Hofmeister, President
8:30 a.m. U.S. SUPREME COURT OPINIONS UPDATE
(1.5 General CLE Credits)
Dean Erwin Chemerinsky, University of California Berkley Law School
Professor Laurie Levenson, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
A comprehensive review of recent decisions of the Alaska Supreme Court and the Alaska Appellate Courts
10:00 a.m. Break – Please use this opportunity to visit our fantastic sponsors
10:30 a.m. U.S. SUPREME COURT OPINIONS UPDATE (continued)
(1.5 General CLE Credits)
Dean Erwin Chemerinsky and Professor Laurie Levenson
12:00 p.m. Break
12:15 p.m. UPDATE ON STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS IN ALASKA
(1.0 General CLE Credits)
Soon-to-be Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Daniel Winfree and Judge Joshua Kindred of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
will report on current issues, successes, and happenings in both the state and federal courts of Alaska.
1:15 p.m. Break
1:30 p.m. Alaska Appellate Law Update
(1.5 General CLE Credits)
Dean Erwin Chemerinsky
3:00 p.m. Break – Please use this opportunity to visit our fantastic sponsors
3:30 p.m. VIRTUAL NETWORKING EVENT
4:30 Adjourn
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
7:30 a.m. Virtual Exhibit Hall open – Please visit our sponsors and learn how our exhibitors’ unique products and services may help in your practice or at
home
8:20 a.m. WELCOME ADDRESS
Ben Hofmeister, President
8:30 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS
BETTER LAWYERING THROUGH MINDFULNESS—FINDING EASE DURING UNCERTAINTY
(1.5 Ethics CLE Credits)
Jeena Cho, Legal Mindfulness Facilitator, Attorney at Law
It’s a stressful and anxious time for many. You may be overwhelmed trying to figure out how to work from home, manage childcare, care for elderly
parents, and worry about what’s ahead. During these times of uncertainty, is your mind constantly going at 150 MPH? Do you struggle to keep your
attention on a task? Are you always multitasking, unable to focus? Is stress or anxiety keeping you from doing your best work? Mindfulness and
meditation practice is the key to increasing focus and productivity!
TRIAL PRACTICE: A WEE TREATISE
(1.5 General CLE Credits)
James Gilmore, Attorney at Law
Michael Schneider, Law Office of Michael Schneider
Meg Simonian, Dillon & Findley, PC
Clint Campion, Sedor, Wendlandt, Evans & Filippi, LLC
This book is described by its author, Jim Gilmore, as “short, clear, and complete.” Hear the lessons Mr. Gilmore presents about the facts, the law,
opening statement, direct and cross-examination and closing argument through his book filled with humor and wisdom about trial practice.
Attendees will receive a .pdf of TRIAL PRACTICE in advance of the program and will be asked to submit advance questions to the panel.
Attendees will receive a bibliography of legal and “off canon” writings Mr. Gilmore used in preparing this useful and entertaining book. Meg
Simonian, Mike Schneider, and Clint Campion will assist in answering audience questions.
10:00 a.m. Please use this opportunity to visit our fantastic sponsors
10:30 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS
TRIAL PRACTICE: A WEE TREATISE (continued)
(1.5 General CLE Credits)
James Gilmore, Michael Schneider, Meg Simonian, and Clint Campion
BETTER LAWYERING THROUGH MINDFULNESS—FINDING EASE DURING UNCERTAINTY (continued)
(1.5 Ethics CLE Credits)
Jeena Cho
12:00 p.m. Break
12:15 p.m. DR. ANNE ZINK
Chief Medical Officer for the State of Alaska
Dr. Zink will present on her experiences navigating public health in Alaska in the face of a pandemic.
1:15 p.m. Break
1:30 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS
UNDERSTANDING THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS (OAH)
(1.5 General CLE Credits)
Rebecca Polizzotto, Senior Assistant Attorney General, State of Alaska
Christopher Kennedy, Administrative Law Judge, State of Alaska
General Stacie Kraly, Chief Assistant Attorney General, State of Alaska
Rebecca Cain, Chief Assistant Attorney General, State of Alaska
Join us for some dialogue (and debate!) about the theory of administrative law, how Alaska’s approach to administrative adjudication compares to
other states, and potential changes on the horizon. Learn how to prepare a case for administrative adjudication and how to evaluate the merits of
whether to appeal an administrative decision.
SOCIAL MEDIA ETHICS IN THE AGE OF DOCUMENTED MISCHIEF
(1.5 Ethics CLE Credits)
Cynthia Sharp, The Sharper Lawyer
The phenomenon of social media has changed the landscape of the modern law firm. For many, the challenge of the learning curve prevents them
from taking advantage of its potential benefits. Another perceived obstacle is that attorneys are rightfully concerned about compliance with the code
of professional conduct. This timely session is designed to demystify these concepts and analyze ethics developments throughout the United States.
3:00 p.m. Break – please use this opportunity to visit our sponsors
3:30 p.m. KEYNOTE: A JOURNEY TO THE JUDICIARY BY THE FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN FEMALE FEDERAL JUDGE
Judge Diane J. Humetewa
U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
4:30 p.m. CLEs end
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
8:30 a.m. Virtual Exhibit Hall open – Please visit our sponsors and learn how our exhibitors’ unique products and services may help in your practice or at
home
9:50 a.m. WELCOME ADDRESS
Ben Hofmeister, President
10:00 a.m. PANEL DISCUSSION – PROMOTING WOMEN AND DIVERSITY ON THE BENCH
(1.5 Ethics CLE Credits)
Judge Diane J. Humetewa, U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
Judge Una Gandbhir, Anchorage Superior Court
Judge Jo-Ann Chung, Anchorage District Court
Judge Kari McCrea, Anchorage District Court
Judge Pamela Washington, Anchorage District Court
Moderated by Kendri Cesar
12:00 p.m. Break – Final opportunity to visit our sponsors to see what they can do for you and your practice
12:15 p.m. ANNUAL MEETING open to all members
Outgoing Board Members; Passing the Gavel; Awards
Alaska Bar Professionalism Award
Judge Nora Guinn Award
Robert Hickerson Public Service Award
Layperson Public Service Award
8th Annual Human Rights Award
2020 Benjamin Walters Distinguished Service Award
25, 50, 60 Year Membership Recognition
Court Community Outreach Award
Pro Bono Awards
Distinguished Service Award
1:30 Convention concludes
PRE-REGISTER FOR THE VIRTUAL CONVENTION HERE
For a printable version of the agenda click here.