ABA

2020 Elections: A year of challenges

With a high-profile presidential race underway and concerns about disinformation efforts by foreign entities, federal elections already were poised to take center stage in 2020. The arrival of COVID-19 in the United States during the start of the primary election season further heightened public attention and presented significant challenges to…

Oct 1, 2020 12:10 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

Afternoon Briefs: Barrett’s net worth, Trump’s quick decision revealed; Satanic Temple sues

Trump offered SCOTUS nomination to Barrett the same day he met with her President Donald Trump offered the U.S. Supreme Court nomination to Judge Amy Coney Barrett on Sept. 21, the same day that he met with her about the vacancy created by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg…

Sep 30, 2020 4:21 PM CDT

First Black Oregon Supreme Court justice blazes a trail for lawyers—and students

On a hot day in June 2019, Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne Nelson stood up and made a promise to her community. “This is going to be a place where students know they are enough, and they can build from that and grow from that,” she said.

Sep 30, 2020 2:21 PM CDT

Divided DC appeals court announces bar exam waiver as 1 option for licensing

A divided District of Columbia Court of Appeals granted Thursday what it describes as an "emergency examination waiver" admission to practice law with various restrictions.

Sep 25, 2020 3:07 PM CDT

ABA leads effort to recruit lawyers as poll workers to ensure ‘free and fair elections’

The ABA launched the Poll Worker, Esq. initiative to mobilize lawyers to assist as poll workers in the upcoming 2020 election.

Sep 23, 2020 2:00 PM CDT

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies at 87

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died on Friday from complications from metastatic cancer of the pancreas, the Supreme Court has announced. NPR reports that she dictated to her granddaughter Clara Spera this message: "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed."

Sep 18, 2020 6:44 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Judge blocks postal changes; bedroom backdrop for SCOTUS justice’s Constitution Day remarks

Federal judge blocks US Postal Service changes Ruling from the bench Thursday, U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian of Yakima, Washington, blocked U.S. Postal Service changes that slowed mail delivery. Ruling in a suit by 14 states, Bastian said the plaintiffs have shown a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of…

Sep 17, 2020 4:34 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Bill Gates Sr. dies at 94; federal judiciary seeks $500M for better security

Bill Gates Sr., lawyer and ABA Medal winner, dies at 94 Lawyer and 2009 ABA Medal winner Bill Gates Sr. has died at age 94. Gates was a name partner at K&L Gates and a co-chair at the foundation established by his son, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. When he was…

Sep 16, 2020 4:55 PM CDT

California law deans ask for open-book bar exam, citing fires, racism and tech issues

A group of deans from ABA-accredited law schools in California have asked the California Supreme Court to change its online October bar exam to an open-book format with no remote proctoring.

Sep 14, 2020 2:45 PM CDT

Federal judicial nominee lacks enough experience, ABA says in letter explaining ‘not qualified’ rating

The ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary has given a “not qualified” rating to Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, a nominee to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Sep 10, 2020 2:58 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: 7th Circuit rules on jail’s COVID-19 safety measures; ABA asks FEMA to activate disaster legal services

7th Circuit weighs in on federal judge’s order to curb COVID-19 at Cook County Jail The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Chicago affirmed Tuesday most of a federal judge’s order for the Cook County sheriff to enact measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the county jail,…

Sep 9, 2020 3:50 PM CDT

Vanderbilt Law Review members donate fees to support minority students with ABA diversity scholarship

When leaders of the Vanderbilt Law Review realized they would meet remotely this semester, they also realized they wouldn’t need to collect the dues that usually pay for their space and supplies. Rather than dwelling on the COVID-19 pandemic and how it prevented them from coming together, the VLR’s executive editor says they saw it as an opportunity to put their dues to good use.

Sep 9, 2020 11:55 AM CDT

SCLAID celebrates centennial by recognizing 2 young lawyers’ work to promote access to justice

The ABA Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense is celebrating its 100th anniversary by also celebrating the contributions two young lawyers have made to advance access to justice in their communities.

Sep 3, 2020 9:25 AM CDT

Former inmate’s suit says appointed lawyer was ineffective and unlicensed in this state

A former Washington inmate claims in a lawsuit that he pleaded guilty to two felony charges after getting bad advice from an appointed lawyer who wasn’t licensed in the state.

Aug 31, 2020 12:42 PM CDT