We invite you to join us during our 2024 CRSJ Spring Business Meeting, taking place this year in two parts.
Virtual | On Friday, April 12, from 12 - 4:30 p.m. Eastern, the Section and its leadership will meet virtually to discuss Committee updates, liaison reports, and developing resolutions. Please email staff for the join link.
In-Person | From May 8 - 11, Section leaders will meet in Detroit at the ABA/NLADA Equal Justice Conference (EJC). Please see the FULL EJC SCHEDULE (PDF) for details on the schedule. Below we have listed all CRSJ-affiliated events. Connect with colleagues, legal services attorneys, and pro bono advocates to share and learn about developments and innovations in providing legal services to low-income persons at the ABA/NLADA Equal Justice Conference (EJC).
2024 CRSJ Spring Meeting
Virtually on Friday April 12 | In-Person from May 8-11
Section Highlights
Day 1 | Wednesday, May 8
Events on Day 1 will take place at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center.
LGBTQ+ Preconference | 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET
Join fellow attendees for the LGBTQ+ Preconference entitled, "Promoting A Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Androgynous and Asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) Legal Landscape." This day-long preconference is designed to support you in your journey to sustaining a more equitable legal ecosystem. Attendees will receive the essential tools and resources to craft and offer a welcoming and supportive environment on both the organizational and individual level. CRSJ leader Nathan Bruemmer will be giving closing remarks at 4:30 p.m. ET, so we hope you will join us!
Day 2 | Thursday, May 9
Events on Day 2 will take place at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. Breakfast will be available from 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. ET.
Concurrent Panels | 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. ET
Networking Lunch | 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. ET
This networking lunch will feature breakout discussions, including one on "Leading with Lived Experience," that will feature CRSJ Councilmember Melanie E. Bates as she explores best practices for preparing clients to share their lived experience in order to effectuate meaningful change.
Neurodiversity Panel | 1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. ET
Jointly sponsored by the ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice and Commission on Disability Rights
This program explores neurodiversity and the legal profession from three perspectives: supporting neurodivergent attorneys and legal professionals, representing neurodivergent clients, and advancing the legal profession toward greater inclusion of neurodiverse populations on a systemic level. This panel will be moderated by CRSJ leader Lydia X.Z. Brown.
Coffee Break | 2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. ET
Concurrent Panels | 2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET
Concurrent Panels | 4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET
EJC Host Committee Reception | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET
To attend, please make a $50 donation here.
Day 3 | Friday, May 10
CRSJ events on Day 3 will take place at Miller Canfield PLC (150 W Jefferson Ave # 2500, Detroit, MI 48226) unless otherwise stated. Breakfast will be available at 8:30 a.m. ET.
CRSJ Business Meeting | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET
Our Section's Council Meeting provides additional opportunities to learn about our work and Section projects as well as expand your network and exchange ideas with fellow legal professionals. During this time, the Council will address budgets, programs, policies, and hear from ABA President Mary Smith.
Joint CRSJ / CHP Lunch | 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. ET
Grab and Go lunch catered by Yum Village.
Detroit City Walking / Bus Tour | 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET
Join us for a 3-hour bus and walking educational tour that will cover Detroit's assets including architecture, cultural gems, and public spaces; the history of Detroit including indigenous history and racist policies that shape the present; a discussion of Detroit's challenges, such as population loss & urban blight; and an overview of Detroit's innovative and impactful projects & small businesses. To confirm your spot, please complete this RSVP form. The pick up location will be the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center.
Joint CRSJ / CHP Dinner | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET
To be held at Leila Detroit (1245 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226)
Day 4 | Saturday, May 11
Brunch will be available from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. ET at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, and is free for members who registered for the Equal Justice Conference Thursday events.
Closing Plenary – Environmental Justice Panel | 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. ET
Sponsored by the ABA Task Force on Environmental Justice, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, and Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, this program is moderated by Councilmember Nadia Ahmad. Located at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, and free for members who attend Thursday events.
Community Event on Voting and Democracy - On the Courts: Our Communities and Protecting Our Democracy | 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET
Held in conjunction with the Section's Perfecting Democracy Initiative, this Community Event will bring together local and state resources and information about the how our democracy is at stake in this election. Food will be provided. Located at Wayne State University Law School, The Keith Center, Patrich Auditorium.