The NAWJ 2025 Midyear Meeting will take place at the Lawyers Club at the University of Michigan School of Law in Ann Arbor, Michigan and accommodations will be available at the Graduate Hotel a few blocks away.
REGISTRATION:
| Registration Rates |
Early Bird Rate (through February 26) |
Regular Rate (through March 14) |
| Member Rate |
$299.00 |
$329.00 |
| Non-Member Rate |
$369.00 |
$389.00 |
The cancelation fee for persons who cancel before March 6, 2025, is $50. Registrants who cancel after March 6, 2025, will not be eligible for a refund.
HOTEL INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS:
Graduate by Hilton Ann Arbor
615 E. Huron St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Hotel group room block rates are $329/night and the hotel reservation cutoff is February 26, 2025. Use the following link to make your reservation:
https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=ARBGAGU&arrivalDate=2025-03-20&departureDate=2025-03-22&groupCode=NAWJ
Program and Schedule
Information subject to change, All times listed in EDT
| Thursday, March 20 |
|
| 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Professional legal photographer Emma Burcusel will be available for styled professional headshots. Sessions are $100 and take approximately 10 minutes. |
| 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM |
NAWJ Board of Directors Meeting |
| 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM |
Planting the Seed Program - Law Student Mentorship |
| 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM |
Resource Board Meeting |
| 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM |
Opening Reception |
| |
|
| Friday, March 21 |
|
| 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
Breakfast |
| 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM |
Education Session - Compassionate Judges |
| 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM |
Education Session - Women in Prison and Family Preservation |
| 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM |
Lunch with Speaker - Featuring Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement |
| 2:15 PM - 3:30 PM |
Education Session - Specialized Courts Panel - Tribal Courts, Juvenile Courts, Human Trafficking Courts, and Street Courts |
| 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM |
Education Session
Justice in the AI Age: Supporting Self-Represented Litigants
The large number of unsophisticated self-represented litigants (SRLs) presents significant challenges to the administration of justice. In some courts, upwards of 80-90% of family law cases involve at least one SRL. Studies show a high percentage of pro se claims fail to survive preliminary motions. This session explores how the use of artificial intelligence might help. Discover how AI-powered tools can aid judges in handling SRL cases effectively, enhance access to justice for SRLs, and streamline overloaded court operations. Explore ethical considerations and gain actionable insights for navigating the evolving landscape of law and AI.
Upon completing this session, attendees will be able to:
- Judicial Decision-Making: Analyze how AI-driven tools, such as case summarization, legal research assistance, and evidence authentication, might improve judicial efficiency and decision-making in cases involving SRLs.
- Access to Justice: Evaluate how AI applications for SRLs, including legal guidance systems, plain-language translation, and interactive coaching, might enhance access to justice and inform judicial strategies for managing such cases.
- Court Administration: Assess the benefits and ethical considerations of implementing AI to support SRLs and improve court operations, with a focus on reducing burdens on judicial and court staff and improving data-driven insights for judicial administration.
Speaker: Dennis Kennedy |
| 6:15 PM - 8:00 PM |
Dinner on own |
| 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Dessert Reception |
| |
|
| Saturday, March 22 |
|
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
Breakfast |
| 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
Education Session - Presented by JAMS
Making the Move: Best Practices, Ethics & Tips to Transition to ADR
Transitioning to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) can be a rewarding career change, but it requires a unique set of skills and ethical considerations distinct from those in judging or lawyering. This program is designed to help you determine if ADR is the right path for you and to guide you through the transition process.
Join us to explore:
- The key differences between ADR and traditional legal roles
- How to evaluate if a career in ADR aligns with your professional goals
- Various pathways to establishing a practice in arbitration, mediation, court-appointed neutral work, hearing examiner roles, or as an ombuds
- Practical steps to successfully transition into the ADR field
- Common challenges faced during the transition and expert tips to overcome them
- Ethical dilemmas unique to mediation and arbitration and how to navigate them
Gain insights from experienced panelists who have successfully made the switch and learn how to make your transition to ADR smooth and successful.
Panelists:
Hon. Heather A. Welch (Ret.)
Hon. Denise Langford Morris (Ret.) |
