Working together to fulfill the ABA’s goals
Over the past year, the American Bar Association has been called upon to defend the judiciary as a co-equal branch of government, to protect the independence of the legal profession and to promote a fair and inclusive justice system. In short, we have been defending the rule of law. The question now is: Where do we go from here?
Although my own background is as a transactional lawyer, I know that negotiating across a table demands the same resolve as litigating in a courtroom. That resolve will be vital in facing the challenges ahead. Our work must be proactive—not just responding to threats. If we focus on our goals, we can strengthen our association. Our strong association will in turn strengthen lawyers, and strong lawyers can continue to defend the rule of law.
ABA’s mission
The last time a Wisconsin lawyer served as ABA president was 1946, when Carl Rix assumed the role in the wake of World War II. That was a time of global upheaval. Lawyers played a crucial role then, just as they must today.
In times of upheaval and uncertainty, then as now, our North Star remains the same: to defend liberty and pursue justice. These are not mere slogans. They are our guiding principles. The rule of law—our first and most urgent principle—binds all persons and entities to laws that are just. Without it, society drifts toward chaos.
The ABA’s work in this area has deep roots. In 1938, we created the Bill of Rights Committee to safeguard civil liberties, which evolved into today’s Section on Civil Rights and Social Justice. Next year, as we celebrate its 60th anniversary and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we will highlight the pivotal role lawyers have played in advancing liberty and equality.
To support that mission, we have launched the Center for Civic Engagement, Education and the Rule of Law—a hub to unify our public education efforts, increase civic understanding and engagement, strengthen partnerships with courts and external organizations, and amplify our impact.
The ABA improves the profession through high standards in legal education, ethical conduct and public service. Our accreditation system, overseen by the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, ensures consistency and quality in law schools nationwide—but it is now under threat. We must protect it, keeping students and their preparation for practice in an ever more complex world as our central focus.
We also uphold professionalism through the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which for over four decades have guided lawyers in placing clients and the law above all else. As members of a learned profession, we have an obligation to improve the law and assist the courts in applying it consistently.
Our profession must reflect the diversity of our communities. Progress has been made—41% of lawyers are women, and lawyers of color comprise 23% of the profession, double the number from a decade ago. But challenges remain, particularly as diversity, equity and inclusion efforts face backlash.
My parents grew up in segregated Mississippi before Brown v. Board of Education. Decades later, my mother marveled that her daughter was running for president of the State Bar of Wisconsin—a path made possible by the work that followed Brown. Progress along the path does not mean we’ve reached the destination. Today, that progress is fragile. We must ensure that opportunity remains open to all.
Rather than argue over terminology, we must focus on the substance—creating opportunity for everyone. Inclusion is not a zero-sum game; it strengthens our profession and nation for everyone.
Moving forward
The ABA’s mission is clear: serve our members; improve the legal profession; eliminate bias and enhance diversity; advance the rule of law.
We will pursue these goals with vigor and unity. As the proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” We will go together—bringing lawyers together to meet today’s challenges, strengthen the profession and serve the public.
President Bill Bay often asked: If not us, who? If not now, when?
The answer is now. Now is the time to defend the rule of law. Now is the time to serve our members. Now is the time to improve our profession and ensure that it reflects the diversity of the people it serves.
The ABA exists so that together, we can do what none of us can do alone. Let’s get to work.
Follow President Behnke on X @ABAPresident or email [email protected].
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