ABA Insider

‘Judge shopping’ in federal courts should end, resolution says

Federal judges should be assigned to cases randomly to prevent the appearance of litigants picking districts and judges offering the most likely path to victory, the House of Delegates agreed at the ABA Annual Meeting. Coming after accusations of “judge shopping” in high-profile, politically charged cases, Resolution 521, submitted by…

Oct 1, 2023 1:10 AM CDT

Traumatic impacts of threats on judges, their families and court staff should be studied

Threats and attacks on judges and their families have been on the increase in this country,” Toni E. Clarke, a delegate for the National Conference of State Trial Judges, told the ABA House of Delegates at the ABA Annual Meeting. “Unfortunately, these threats and attacks don’t stop with judges.” Clarke…

Oct 1, 2023 1:00 AM CDT

Delegates share emotional testimony on women’s health and abortion

It’s been more than a year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, and the landmark decision continues to raise new and old legal issues. The House of Delegates took positions on those issues at the annual meeting. Resolution 511, submitted…

Oct 1, 2023 12:50 AM CDT

Pronouns should be respected and trans youths protected

At the ABA Annual Meeting, the House of Delegates adopted a pair of resolutions to address ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ community. Resolution 604, which was submitted by the ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, encourages the use of pronouns and other language that is consistent with…

Oct 1, 2023 12:40 AM CDT

ABA Notices - October-November 2023

2024 STATE DELEGATE ELECTION NOTICE Pursuant to Section 6.3(a) of the ABA Constitution, 17 states will elect state delegates for three-year terms beginning at the adjournment of the 2024 ABA Annual Meeting. The deadline for receipt of nominating petitions is Friday, Dec. 8. Go to ambar.org/2024-stdel to find the states…

Oct 1, 2023 12:20 AM CDT

ABA Treasurer’s Report - Fiscal Year 2022

Each year, the treasurer provides a report on the association’s finances that is published in the ABA Journal. In these reports, I seek to provide helpful information about the association’s financial health as well as current and relevant trends. In my third and final Journal report as ABA treasurer, I…

Aug 1, 2023 1:00 AM CDT

Community Veteran Justice Project founder helps vets navigate legal needs

Jodi Galvin retired in 2010, after spending more than 20 years as a prosecutor with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office. For more than a decade prior to that, she had been an investigator in the criminal and mental health sections of the Orange County Public Defender’s Office. When thinking about what to do next, Galvin realized she could use her experience to help veterans, a population that mattered a great deal to her.

Aug 1, 2023 12:50 AM CDT

ABA entities help amplify the ‘court watch’ movement

The ABA is ramping up efforts to support a growing movement of court watchers. These are members of the public who observe bail hearings and other court proceedings and document the actions of judges and lawyers.

Aug 1, 2023 12:40 AM CDT

ABA Notices - August-September 2023

ANNUAL MEETING OF AMERICAN BAR ENDOWMENT MEMBERS The annual meeting of the members of the American Bar Endowment will be held at 8:45 a.m. Monday, Aug. 7, in the Mile High Ballroom at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. The agenda includes the election of two board members. Go to…

Aug 1, 2023 12:20 AM CDT

Tsion Gurmu calls on personal experience to support Black immigrants

Tsion Gurmu traces her interest in law back to the Buford Highway community in Atlanta, where she grew up among a large number of asylum-seekers from Africa who struggled to navigate the immigration system.

Jun 1, 2023 12:40 AM CDT

Bill Bay, the ABA’s president-elect nominee, hopes to attract new lawyers to the association

When considering the future of the ABA, Bill Bay says its greatest imperative is to welcome lawyers home to a place that is familiar and comfortable. Bay believes this is especially necessary now, amid rapid shifts in the legal profession and as scores of new lawyers, young lawyers and other…

Jun 1, 2023 12:30 AM CDT

Meet Our Nominees: ABA candidates, in their own words

Leading up to the ABA Annual Meeting in August, we’ve asked incoming leadership candidates the same four questions: What positive experiences have you had with the ABA? What would you like to accomplish during your term? What is something that not a lot of other ABA members know about you? And finally, why would you encourage other lawyers and judges to join the association?

Jun 1, 2023 12:20 AM CDT

ABA Notices - June-July 2023

NOMINATING COMMITTEE BUSINESS SESSION AND CANDIDATES FORUM AT THE 2023 ABA ANNUAL MEETING The secretary hereby gives notice that the Nominating Committee will meet in conjunction with the 2023 ABA Annual Meeting on Sunday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. MT at the headquarters hotel in Denver, beginning…

Jun 1, 2023 12:07 AM CDT

Judge Ernestine Gray created a model court that put New Orleans children and families first

“You are impacting lives in a critical way,” says Judge Ernestine Gray about working in juvenile court. “And if you are talking about children who are growing up, it’s going to help determine where they are in the future. I don’t want to look back and say, ‘If I had done X for this child, maybe they could’ve done great things.’ So in the moment where you are, do the good work.”

Apr 1, 2023 1:20 AM CDT

Warm Welcome: ABA leaders tout accomplishments and encourage outreach

Referencing the “three Cs” that have become a hallmark of her presidency, ABA President Deborah Enix-Ross’ speech to the House of Delegates focused on how members’ work has helped people. “The legal profession’s values of civics, civility and collaboration must be heard loud and clear in our communities,” said Enix-Ross,…

Apr 1, 2023 1:10 AM CDT