High Heat In Texas: Forgo The Status Quo!
The American Association of Law Libraries heads to hip Austin for its 110th Annual Meeting.
Going to Texas in the peak of July is not usually my idea of an ideal venue. (Average Dallas July weather is well into the 90s.) But the American Association of Law Libraries’ 110th Annual Meeting & Conference will be held in Austin, a charming city that can attract even the most humidity-adverse travelers. Events will be at the Austin Convention Center and the Hilton Austin.
Not only is Austin the Texas capital, it’s a delightful and hip city. Austin is the home of South by Southwest Festival—and Whole Foods (which will soon be part of Amazon). As of the last census, there were 931,830 people living in Austin. It’s been called “Hippie Haven,” “Bat City” (fascinating), and the “Blueberry in the Red State,” among other monikers.
The conference will run from July 15-18; this year’s AALL theme is “Forgo The Status Quo.” The conference “will celebrate the innovators within our profession and highlight the skills, talents and attributes that provide added value and meaning for our organizations,” the website states.
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THE KEYNOTE
The keynote speaker will be Bryan Stevenson, the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative. His keynote, “American Injustice: Mercy, Humanity and Making a Difference,” will be held on July 19, at 9 a.m. at the Austin Convention Center. Stevenson “will share his experiences defending some of America’s most rejected and marginalized people, recounting stories of heartbreak and encouragement.” His talk is sponsored by Bloomberg Law, LexisNexis, and Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.
Want to get inspired before get to Austin? Listen to his PBS Video, “On America’s racial terrorism, ‘silence has condemned us'” (aired ).
From the PBS video: “‘I don’t think we’re free in America,’ said attorney Bryan Stevenson, who sees an unwillingness to talk about the terrors of slavery and other racial-based violence as a continuing burden. But he also sees strength—in the descendants of those who endured slavery.”
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HOT TOPICS
The Texas State Capitol in Austin (photo by David Lat).
AALL has created three “hot topic programs that will examine your place in the world of legal information, from the work you do, to the climate of the industry, to the way you talk about yourself.” They include:
- “Finding Truth in the Age of Fake News and Alternative Facts” (July 16/2:30 p.m.)
- “Sending the Right Message: Finding the Words to Communicate Your Value” (July 17/2 p.m.)
- “How the Legal Market Continues to Change in the Aftermath of the Great Recession.” (Changing legal hiring since 2015) (July 18/2:30 p.m.)
HIGH LIGHTS
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• The Exhibit Hall will open from Saturday, July 15, at 5 p.m., with the traditional opening reception, and continue through Tuesday. There will be “Exhibitor Showcases” throughout the Hall hours.
• Programs & Workshops include several arenas: “Must-Have Programs”; “The Business of Law;” “Data & Content Management”; “Leadership, Administration & Career Development”; “Marketing, Communication & Advocacy”; “Research”; “Teaching & Training”; and “Workshops.”
• Career Center will offer job and candidate searching on-site. Posting will be available for employers and job seekers.
LINKS
• Among just a few of the links: Attendees, Speakers, Conference Schedule, Exhibitors & Sponsors.
That’s just a few of the events and opportunities. Check out the website for registration, housing, conference schedule, and more.
OTHER OPTIONS
If you get overloaded from legal, there are escape options in Austin. You can always slip over the the Body Mind Spirit Expo (Palmer Events Center, 7/15 to 7/16, www.bmse.net).
Or on the 15th, check out Texanische Nacht (Austin Saegerrunde, www.saengerrunde.com). “Grab your boots and lederhosen! Texasische Nacht celebrates German-Texas heritage with tasty Tex Mex and a live swing/dance band.”
If you are craving baseball, check out the MiLB Pacific Coast League Round Rock Express, at the Dell Diamond. They are playing New Orleans on the 17th & 18th at 7:05 p.m. Highway 79 at 3400 East Palm Valley, Round Rock, Texas 78665.
Monica Bay is a Fellow at CodeX: The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics and a freelance writer for Above The Law and other media. She co-hosts Law Technology Now (Legal Talk Network) and is a member of the California Bar. Monica can frequently be found at Yankee Stadium. Email: monicabay1@gmail.com. Twitter: @MonicaBay.
