For Immediate Release

	August 1, 2003 BLACK LAWYERS CONVENE IN NEW ORLEANS New Orleans - This week, from August 2, 2003 through August 9, 2003, lawyers and judges of color from around the world will gather in New Orleans for the 78th Annual Convention of the National Bar Association (NBA). The NBA is the largest and oldest organization of attorneys and judges of color in the world. The NBA was founded in 1925 by twelve (12) African American lawyers in Des Moines, Iowa and today represents over 20,000 lawyers, judges, educators and law students. This conference is expected to tackle some of the key legal topics and global issues and feature some of the world's top legal experts. Topics include the recent University of Michigan Supreme Court case, the U.S. Patriot Act, the Department of Homeland Security, and campaign finance reform. Speakers include: the Honorable Dennis W. Archer, President-Elect, American Bar Association, Past President, National Bar Association; Chartisse Adlam, Assistant District Counsel, Department of Homeland Security; Theresa Pauling, Assistant District Counsel, Department of Homeland Security; Linda White Andrews, Senior Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices; George Curry, Editor-in-Chief, National Newspaper Publishers Association; Honorable Ann Claire Williams, U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, Chicago, Illinois; Karen Carter, State Representative, District 93 - Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana; Honorable John Conyers Congressman, 14th District, Detroit, Michigan; and Honorable Harold Ford, Jr., Congressman, 9th District, Memphis, Tennessee