ABA woos foreign law firms

For the first time, foreign firms will be given a slot to promote themselves at this year's American Bar Association conference in San Francisco.

The ABA is allowing foreign delegates to book slots at a Foreign Bar Open House, in which they can promote their firms by giving out information, making presentations, showing Web sites and meeting delegates.

The Law Society will be on panels in several joint sessions: with the Law Practice Management Section on skills and competencies needed to practice law in the 21st century; with the Dispute Resolution Section on dispute resolution in the European Union; and the Legal Education Section on opportunities and challenges for lawyers and legal educators in a world without borders.

The society is yet to confirm a session with the International Section.

Ann Frazer, international promotions officer at the Law Society, said the society would be using the opportunity to talk to the ABA about political issues, such as qualification and establishments rights for UK lawyers and cybernotaries.

The society is also organising a programme of events for British delegates attending the conference, including visits to firms in San Francisco.

The conference will take place from 29 July to 6 August in San Francisco and delegates will be able to claim CPD hours for the sessions they attend.

Details of the Law Society's programme are available from Ann Frazer at the Law Society on 0171 320 5775.