Refusing to budge, top Florida court says ABA imposes CLE panel ‘quotas,’ state lawyers can’t get credit for participation

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday reaffirmed a decision that bans Florida lawyers from receiving continuing legal education credit for programs that require diversity among panelists—including the ABA's CLE programs.

Dec 16, 2021 4:09 PM CST

August Hieber helps create access to legal services for older LGBT adults

August Hieber created Proud to Thrive, the first program in Chicago specifically designed to provide culturally responsive legal advocacy to LGBT older adults. Hieber recognized this population is less likely to access resources because of past experiences with discrimination and worked with the Center for Disability & Elder Law to host legal clinics and train other legal professionals on how to offer services.

Dec 14, 2021 1:19 PM CST

Check out our 9 favorite Instagram posts from 2021

It's been quite a year in the legal industry and for coverage here at the ABA Journal, and it's hard to believe that 2022 is right around the corner.

Dec 13, 2021 10:16 AM CST

Poll: Which ABA Journal magazine cover from 2021 was your favorite?

In 2021, we covered a wide array of diverse, in-depth and hard-hitting legal topics at the ABA Journal.

Dec 13, 2021 9:15 AM CST

If trends persist, there won’t be gender parity among lawyers arguing at 7th Circuit until 2059

The gender gap among lawyers arguing before the federal appeals court in Chicago barely improved over the last decade, according to a report published by the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession.

Dec 8, 2021 8:44 AM CST

Can C-suite diversity officers really make a difference?

“It’s a growing trend that’s going to stick,” says Sylvia F. James, chief diversity and inclusion officer for the international firm Winston & Strawn. “I think it sends a message both internally and externally about the importance that the firm places on the position.”

Dec 1, 2021 4:00 AM CST

ABA President Reginald Turner wants his term to focus on the organization’s four goals

Learn all about the ABA’s president, Reginald Turner, including what first brought him into the profession; where he went on his first date with his wife; and the dessert that’s his daily treat.

Dec 1, 2021 12:30 AM CST

New program guarantees diverse students admission to law school

A new program will guarantee minority and first-generation law students deferred admission and scholarships once they spend a year preparing for law school and working to improve their Law School Admission Test scores.

Nov 29, 2021 10:28 AM CST

30% of these lawyers would like to work fewer hours; those most dissatisfied are younger and female

Thirty percent of surveyed “standout lawyers” would like to work fewer hours, while 53% are satisfied with the hours that they are working.

Nov 23, 2021 11:46 AM CST

For second time, ABA Legal Education Section seeks public comment on diversity accreditation standard

Standard 206, which is at the center of the discourse, requires that law schools provide full opportunities for students from underrepresented groups in the profession and have diverse faculty and staff in regards to gender, race and ethnicity.

Nov 22, 2021 12:02 PM CST

A working mother’s 32-step guide to preparing for oral arguments

Appellate oral arguments are exciting, exhilarating and challenging. I’ve been presenting oral arguments since I was sworn into the bar; after 20 years in practice (first as a public defender and then as a law school clinic director), my arguments tally has almost reached the triple digits. It’s possible that my clinic, the Habeas Project at the Mercer University School of Law, holds the record in the Supreme Court of Georgia for the most cases heard in one day—three in a row on Cinco de Mayo in 2009.

Nov 18, 2021 9:02 AM CST

Some law firms are promoting record numbers of associates to partnership

Several law firms have announced their largest new partner classes on record amid a push to reward lawyers and create an incentive for associates to stay.

Nov 15, 2021 3:35 PM CST

Only 2 women make list of most cited legal scholars

A list of the 50 most cited U.S. legal scholars of all time contains many well-known names but only two women.

Nov 11, 2021 1:29 PM CST

Senate confirms first openly LGBTQ woman to a federal appeals court

The U.S. Senate confirmed Vermont Supreme Court Justice Beth Robinson to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at New York on Monday, making her the first openly LGBTQ woman to serve on a federal appeals court.

Nov 2, 2021 11:31 AM CDT

Has COVID-19 made the workplace more accessible for lawyers with disabilities?

Since March 2020, most law firms and legal organizations have adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by allowing their employees to work remotely and transition to more flexible hours. For some lawyers with disabilities, teleworking has brought significant benefits, including increased access to their clients and colleagues and to more job opportunities.

Oct 26, 2021 10:45 AM CDT