CHICAGO, July 29, 2010— What are the ethical traps of Web 2.0 technologies that lawyers must avoid? How will consumers fare in a technology-driven legal services landscape? How can companies protect their trademarks and brands in cyberspace? These questions focus on key issues involving technology and the legal profession that will be explored at the 2010 American Bar Association Annual Meeting, August 5 – 10, in San Francisco.

With nearly 1,500 top-quality legal programs and events, and presentations by the foremost law experts and speakers, the ABA Annual Meeting is the nation’s premier gathering of legal professionals.

The 561-member House of Delegates, the association’s policy-making body, will meet on Aug. 9 and 10 in the Moscone Center West, Third Floor, Ballroom. In addition to considering policy recommendations and voting on resolutions, the House of Delegates will honor Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with the ABA Medal, the association’s highest honor, on Aug. 9.

Technology-related program highlights include:

“20/20 Vision: The Impact of Technology and Globalization on Ethics for the 21st Century Lawyer” Technology is changing the practice of law as we know it and practitioners are trying to keep up. This program will analyze the ethical guidelines that must keep pace with the changing environment. Experts will address the ethical challenges of virtual law offices, electronic communications, and the pros and cons of cloud computing. Aug. 5, 10:30 a.m. – noon, Moscone Center West, 2nd Floor, Room 2016

“Justice 12.0—Is There an App for That?” The movie “Minority Report” takes place in the year 2054, when murders can be foreseen and would-be criminals can be arrested before they commit their crimes. What will the justice system truly look like 30 years from now? This multimedia program will look at the effects of nanotechnology, neuroscience and technological developments on the justice system. Aug. 6, 8:30 a.m. – noon, San Francisco Marriott Marquis, Lower B2 Level, Ballroom Salons 1/2

“Ethical Traps in Cyberspace” With the increasing use of social networks, such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, employers have started using the Internet to survey applicants and to keep an eye on current employees. These actions have generated a myriad of legal concerns and raise a number of ethical considerations. Expert panelists will examine the ethical and legal concerns, as well as provide insight into how employers can avoid breaking the law and invasions of privacy. Aug. 6, 10:30 a.m. – noon, Moscone Center West, 2nd Floor, Room 2014

“Legal Issues Resulting From the Social Media Explosion” Featuring Heather Armstrong, founder of business blog Dooce.com, this program will assess the criminal and civil issues associated with social media. Two of the nation’s preeminent social media legal experts will offer legal perspectives. Aug. 6, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m., Moscone Center West, 3rd Floor, Rooms 3003/3005

“Plain View, Yet Out of Sight: The 9th Circuit Ruling on Electronic Evidence” addresses the ramifications of The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on safeguards for subjects of search warrants involving electronically stored information. Panelists will discuss how the court’s decision disregards the Plain View Doctrine and issues mandates for the search process. Aug. 6, 2 – 3:30 p.m., Moscone Center West, 2^nd Floor, Room 2004

Additional program highlights:

Aug. 5

“A Tale of Two Cases: Managing Discovery Costs and Minimizing Risks With and Without Outsourcing” 2 – 3:30 p.m., Moscone Center West, 3rd Floor, Room 3014

“Social Networking Sites: Ethically Maximizing the Use of These Powerful Media” 3:45 – 5:15 p.m., Moscone Center West, 3rd Floor, Room 3014

Aug. 6

“Litigation in the Internet Age—Making Litigation Rules and Procedures Responsive to Today’s Charged Landscape” 8:30 – 10 a.m., Moscone Center West, 3rd Floor, Room 3014

“Dangerous Litigation for IP Lawyers: Interactive Media and Planning Safe Investigations” 8:30 – 10 a.m., Moscone Center West, 2nd Floor, Room 2002

“What’s New in Communication Technology Litigation” 8:30 – 10 a.m., Moscone Center West, 2nd Floor, Room 2007

“Social Media Policies…The Whys and Whats of Creating Clear Guidelines” 9:50 – 10:50 a.m., Hilton San Francisco Union Square, Ballroom Level, Continental Parlor 3

“Protecting Your Intellectual Property in the Age of Social Media: Do You Know What is Happening to Your Brand on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Blogs and Other Social Media Sites?” 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Fairmont, Lobby Level, Gold Room

“Practicing Lawyer’s Guide to Social Media” 2 – 3:30 p.m., Moscone Center West, 3^rd Floor, Room 3018

“The Virtual Law Firm: How to Build Your Practice in an Online World” 2 – 3:30 p.m., Moscone Center West, 3rd Floor, Room 3009

“Virtual Virtues: Wrestling with the Ethical Dilemmas of an Online Dispute Resolution Practice” 2 – 3:30 p.m., Moscone Center West, 3rd Floor, Room 3020

“Plain View, Yet Out of Sight: The 9th Circuit Ruling on Electronic Evidence” 2 – 3:30 p.m., Moscone Center West, 2nd Floor, Room 2004

“Cyber Security, Law and Liability—Thieves, Spies and Hostile Armies” 3:45 – 5:15 p.m., Moscone Center West, 2nd Floor, Room 2022

“Lions and Tigers and Friends: Beware of the Landmines in the Social Media Sandbox!” 4 – 5 p.m., InterContinental San Francisco, 4th Floor, Potrero

Aug. 7

“The Real Realities of Cloud Computing” 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., Moscone Center West, 2nd Floor, Room 2018

“The Digital Revolution and e-Discovery—Transforming the Legal Profession” 10:30 a.m. – noon, Moscone Center West, 2nd Floor, Rooms 2001/2003

Aug. 8

“Protection Against Third Party Adoption of Trademarks on Social Media” 8:30 – 10:00 a.m., Moscone Center West, 2nd Floor, Room 2004

“Trying High-Profile Cases in a 24/7 ‘New Media’ World” 10:30 a.m. – noon, Moscone Center West, 2nd Floor, Rooms 2001/2003

During the Annual Meeting, a press room for accredited journalists will be set up on the second level of the Moscone Center West, and will open for on-site media registration at noon on Aug. 5.  Thereafter the press room will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will close one hour after the adjournment of the House of Delegates on Aug. 10.

Online registration for news reporters is easier than ever. Credential guidelines are at http://www.abanow.org/reporter-resources/media-credentials/.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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Note to Editors: Accredited reporters are welcome to cover the ABA Annual Meeting for free.  For credential guidelines go to http://www.abanet.org/media/credentials.html.  To register for the Annual Meeting go to www.abanews.org.