Hilarie Bass

President, American Bar Association; Co-President, Greenberg Traurig

As Co-President of international law firm Greenberg Traurig and a prolific trial attorney with a highly successful 30-plus year career, Hilarie Bass is one of the most recognized women attorneys in the United States. Hilarie is currently President of the American Bar Association, the world’s largest voluntary professional organization with more than 400,000 members. At Greenberg Traurig, she helps chart the course for the multi-practice firm with approximately 2,000 attorneys across 38 offices worldwide. She currently serves on the firm’s Executive Committee and previously served an eight-year term as national chair of its 600-member litigation department. Hilarie is also the founder and former chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Women’s Initiative.

Hilarie has successfully represented high-profile corporate clients in jury and non-jury trials involving hundreds of millions of dollars in controversy. She has worked and settled more than 100 cases, tried more than 20 cases to conclusion, and argued numerous appeals. In recognition of that success, she was inducted into The American College of Trial Lawyers. Hilarie is widely recognized for her pro bono work on behalf of two foster children that led to the elimination and declaration as unconstitutional Florida’s 20-year- old ban on gay adoption.

Mentoring others in the legal field and giving back to the community has always been a top priority for Hilarie. She has led top legal and community organizations and received numerous prestigious awards for her achievements. She has dedicated herself to supporting the mission of the ABA for more than 30 years, beginning as a young lawyer and now serving a one-year term as President. She previously served as Chair of the Section of Litigation, the ABA’s largest section, where she spearheaded the creation of a Task Force on Implicit Bias in the Justice System. She also served as Chair of the Committee on Rules and Calendar, and as a member of the Board of Governors, House of Delegates and the State of Florida representative, on the Nominating Committee. Hilarie serves as Vice Chair of University of Miami’s Board of Trustees. She was formerly Chair of the United Way of Miami-Dade County and a member of the ABA Commission on Women.

Her work is recognized throughout the industry, as Hilarie is consistently ranked in leading legal guides including Chambers USA Guide, The Best Lawyers in America, Lawdragon 500, Legal 500 United States, South Florida Legal Guide, Super Lawyers magazine, Florida Trend magazine’s “Legal Elite” and many others. Hilarie was most recently named “Lawyer of the Year” in Litigation – Securities in 2016 by The Best Lawyers in America.

Related Sessions

Welcome & Opening Keynote: Partners in Law: Breaking Down Silos Between Law, Technology and Innovation Location: Date: April 5, 2018 Time: 9:00 am - 9:50 am View session

View full schedule