Every year, CBLA plans to host a conference with a topic of current interest to both Chinese and U.S. legal communities. As the inaugural conference, the 2009 conference will gather practitioners, regulators and scholars to explore lessons learned from the recent financial crisis and the future of regulation of global financial markets. The tentative title of the conference is “The Financial Crisis and Regulation: Perspectives from the U.S. and China.”

CBLA will periodically invite people who have been recognized as leaders in the field of law or business to give talks on topics that may be of interest to our members. Prospective speakers include law firm partners, bank executives, law professors, judges and regulators in the U.S. and from China. We will seek sponsorship for the speaker series and the sponsor can designate a name for this series.

Practice Seminar is a forum for members to present topics in their respective practice areas. This presents an opportunity for individual CBLA members to learn from the collective expertise of CBLA and at the same time to develop their own leadership capabilities.  Every member is highly encouraged to present at the Practice Seminar.  Professionals from non-legal disciplines may also be invited to present topics related to business and law.

CBLA will organize frequent roundtable discussions concerning members’ career development. Recruiting consultants and law firm recruiting coordinators will be invited to address topics of concern to members. Non-law firm professionals will give insights into alternative careers for lawyers. Members in other locations visiting New York will speak about opportunities in their respective markets. These discussions will be carried out in a relaxed atmosphere.

CBLA will send newsletters to registered members. The newsletters will feature legal industry trends, transaction or case updates, book reviews and important legal development in the U.S. and China. The newsletters will also become a media where members can share information or make announcements.

Members will be invited to attend group dinners in honor of guests who have the background similar to CBLA members and who have achieved a certain level of distinction in their areas of expertise. The guest of honor may give a speech before the dinner and members will have the opportunity to interact with the guest during or after the dinner.