2020 AAAL Spring Meeting
April 16-18, 2020
The Langham
Pasadena, CA

March 13, 2020

Fellows:

Like you, the AAAL Officers, Board and staff have watched as the recent pandemic threat has cancelled events and public gatherings across the country and across the globe. We waited to obtain up to date information in order to fully consider our options concerning the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the AAAL’s upcoming Spring Meeting, scheduled for Pasadena from April 16-18.

It will come as no surprise to you that the Board has voted to cancel the Spring Meeting in Pasadena. What started out as a difficult discussion became an unavoidable decision in light of recent events.

For Pasadena Meeting registrants, here's what you need to know:

• Meeting Registration Fees – You may receive a full refund of the fee you paid to register for the meeting, as well as any guest registration fee. You have the option to transfer that registration fee toward the fee for the Fall Meeting in Washington, DC on November 7-9. Please email lturner@msp-amc.com to let us know which option you prefer.
• Reservations at the Langham - If you booked the Langham directly, your reservation will be automatically cancelled with no cancellation fee. If you booked through a third party service you should contact that service directly to cancel your reservation.
• Airline Reservations – Contact your airline directly to cancel your reservation. Most domestic carriers are waiving cancellation fees and are also issuing credits for future travel.

To the 40 or so Fellows currently registered for the Pasadena meeting, I share your disappointment in missing out on the warmth and comradery that are the hallmarks of our biannual meetings. We plan to return to Pasadena for a meeting at the Langham in the spring of 2022.

To all AAAL Fellows, thank you for your patience over the last few weeks as we monitored the situation before coming to this decision, for your continued support of the AAAL and for your continued participation in its efforts to promote appellate justice and the highest standards of appellate advocacy. I hope to see you all in good health and good spirits in Washington, D.C., on November 7-9, 2020. Until then, stay safe and be well.

Howard Goodfriend
President