ABA Insider

ABA will advocate to end unreasonable restraints, seclusion and searches of children

Leslie Margolis once represented a 7-year-old child in foster care who had been restrained more than 147 times by his school’s staff. Margolis shared the story with the House of Delegates at the ABA Annual Meeting as it considered a trio of resolutions related to the well-being and rights of children and youth.

Oct 1, 2020 12:30 AM CDT

ABA leaders vow to fight effects of racism and COVID-19

In her final speech before the House of Delegates, outgoing ABA President Judy Perry Martinez recognized the burden the pandemic has placed on the legal profession and urged a forceful response to racial injustice. Martinez’s overriding message was that lawyers should not shy away from the fight to root out…

Oct 1, 2020 12:20 AM CDT

NAPABA president Bonnie Lee Wolf’s efforts against anti-Asian discrimination draw support of ABA, other groups

“Now is a time to stand with the African American community against what has been going on for decades, centuries, to show unity and solidarity from the Asian American community,” Wolf says. “What’s encouraging is that it seems like people are listening, and we can be part of that driving force to see real action and real change.”

Oct 1, 2020 12:15 AM CDT

ABA Notices - October

2021 REGULAR STATE DELEGATE ELECTION Pursuant to Section 6.3(a) of the ABA’s constitution, 17 states will elect state delegates for three-year terms beginning at the adjournment of the 2021 annual meeting. The deadline for nomination petitions is Dec. 8. Go to ambar.org/2021-statedel to find the states conducting elections as well…

Oct 1, 2020 12:07 AM CDT

Two young Native American lawyers call for action on missing and murdered indigenous women

Lauren van Schilfgaarde and Heather Torres introduced the ABA to the missing and murdered indigenous women crisis in February by first sharing the stories of those who suffered. Those stories resonated with the ABA House of Delegates.

Aug 1, 2020 12:25 AM CDT

Father-daughter duo serves together in ABA leadership

“It has taken me a lifetime to get to the House of Delegates, and now I have to answer to my daughter, who is on the Board of Governors,” says Michael Posner of Michaela Posner. “It’s pretty unique.”

Aug 1, 2020 12:20 AM CDT

How the ABA has adjusted to the COVID-19 pandemic

The ABA launched its Task Force on Legal Needs Arising Out of the 2020 Pandemic on March 13 to address legal challenges facing Americans during the public health crisis and make recommendations on how to overcome those challenges.

Aug 1, 2020 12:15 AM CDT

ABA Notices - August

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS The Annual Meeting of the Members of the American Bar Endowment will be held virtually on Monday, Aug. 3, at 1 p.m. at the conclusion of the first session of the House of Delegates meeting. The agenda includes the election of two Board members. Go…

Aug 1, 2020 12:07 AM CDT

A love of dolphins sparked lawyer’s 30-year crusade to improve well-being of animals

James F. Gesualdi was only a year into his practice of law in 1989 when a trip to a dolphin sanctuary changed the course of his career—and his entire life. “The practice of animal law, like life itself, is all about raising consciousness,” Gesualdi says.

Jun 1, 2020 12:35 AM CDT

ABA president-elect nominee Reginald Turner seeks to fulfill lawyers’ oath

Reginald M. Turner believes that being a member of the American Bar Association is one of the most effective ways to fulfill the commitment lawyers make in their oath.

Jun 1, 2020 12:30 AM CDT

Meet the Candidates: These are the nominees for future ABA leadership positions

We asked all of the candidates for leadership positions the same five questions…

Jun 1, 2020 12:25 AM CDT

This year’s ABA Annual Meeting will take place virtually

In response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the ABA Board of Governors decided in April that this year’s annual meeting will be entirely virtual.

Jun 1, 2020 12:20 AM CDT

June-July ABA Notices

NOTICE BY THE SECRETARY: NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEETINGS The Secretary hereby gives notice that the Nominating Committee will meet in conjunction with the 2020 Annual Meeting on Sunday, Aug. 2, beginning with the Business Session at 9 a.m. Immediately following the Business Session, the Nominating Committee will hear from candidates seeking…

Jun 1, 2020 12:09 AM CDT

ABA Treasurer’s Report for FY19

Each year, the treasurer provides a report on the association’s finances that is printed here in the ABA Journal. This year, as I began to prepare this report, the spread of COVID-19 was on the rise. At this time, it is too early to quantify or report on the financial…

Jun 1, 2020 12:08 AM CDT

Attorney uses photography and storytelling for legal empowerment

“That is one of my main missions, to elevate and amplify the voices of poor and marginalized people and communities,” says ABA member Deborah Espinosa, who now works as a consultant for Landesa. “Not speak for them—they are not voiceless; it’s just their voices do not often have platforms.”

Apr 1, 2020 12:50 AM CDT