ABA

ABA teams up with J.K. Rowling foundation to provide social workers to immigrant children

The ABA is partnering with the Lumos Foundation to hire two social workers to provide services to immigrant children who have been reunited with their families. Lumos is an international children’s rights organization founded by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. The social workers will assess the needs of the children,…

Dec 17, 2018 3:53 PM CST

Law school enrollment is up, according to new ABA data

In the past year, much as been said about a "Trump bump" for law schools, referencing an idea that more people are interested in law school since Donald Trump was elected president. Some support for the theory may be found in ABA data released Friday.

Dec 14, 2018 2:55 PM CST

Nearly 70 ex-judges ask ICE to stop courthouse arrests; US attorney defends agency amid controversy

Nearly 70 former federal and state judges are asking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to stop making arrests at courthouses. The judges’ Dec. 12 letter asks ICE to add courthouses to its lists of sensitive locations where arrests are barred.

Dec 14, 2018 7:00 AM CST

ABA-supported juvenile justice bill with ‘rehabilitative purpose’ passes Congress

A bipartisan bill aiming to improve protections for youths in the juvenile justice system now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature after approval by the House of Representatives on Thursday. One of the bill’s sponsors, Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, tweeted the news, saying the bill…

Dec 14, 2018 7:00 AM CST

ABA legal ed section didn’t give clear direction, says Arizona Summit in amended complaint

Arizona Summit Law School filed an amended complaint on Wednesday against the American Bar Association, alleging that it was not given guidance to come into compliance with accreditation standards. In November, the council of the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar approved a teach-out plan submitted…

Dec 13, 2018 3:14 PM CST

ABA applauds vote for compromise criminal justice reform bill on sentencing

ABA President Bob Carlson is praising plans for a vote on a compromise criminal justice reform bill that shortens some sentences and gives judges leeway to bypass mandatory minimum sentences in more cases. Carlson thanked House and Senate leaders for their work to advance the bill, known as the First…

Dec 13, 2018 11:18 AM CST

New ABA Techreport shows slight decrease in firms that budget for technology

The percentage of firms that budget for technology has undergone a slight decrease, according to survey data from the ABA Techreport 2018, released Wednesday.

Dec 12, 2018 4:34 PM CST

Pence breaks tie to confirm 8th Circuit nominee with ‘not qualified’ rating from ABA committee

Vice President Mike Pence cast a tiebreaker vote in the Senate on Tuesday to confirm a federal appeals court nominee who received a "not qualified" rating from the ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary.

Dec 12, 2018 1:10 PM CST

ABA releases updated standards for treatment of unaccompanied immigrant minors

The ABA’s Commission on Immigration on Friday released updated standards for the detention, care and legal representation of unaccompanied immigrant minors.

Dec 11, 2018 6:30 AM CST

ABA greenlights University of Illinois System acquiring John Marshall Law School

The Illinois Board of Higher Education and the council of the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar have approved the plan for the John Marshall Law School to be acquired by the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Dec 6, 2018 4:46 PM CST

Clooney Foundation works with ABA on program to monitor trials for human rights violations

The ABA announced on Wednesday that is partnering with the Clooney Foundation for Justice and Columbia Law School to “monitor trials around the world that pose a high risk of human rights violations.” The program, set to launch next year, is known as TrialWatch, according to an ABA press release…

Dec 5, 2018 11:16 AM CST

Source of Solace: Off the bench, federal judge dedicates time to helping others

U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey co-founded SOLACE more than 15 years ago. Support of Lawyers/Legal Personnel—All Concern Encouraged members try to help fellow members of the legal community and their families in times of need.

Dec 1, 2018 1:10 AM CST

Tennessee’s Duncan Law back in ‘substantial compliance’ with admissions standard

Duncan School of Law at Lincoln Memorial University in Knoxville, Tennessee, is now in “substantial compliance” with admissions requirements that fall under Standard 501, according to a recent decision from the council of the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. The law school, which has provisional…

Nov 28, 2018 2:50 PM CST

ABA president calls for improvements to immigration system, conditions of detention

After a weekend of violence and controversy at the Southern border, ABA President Bob Carlson issued a statement and a letter calling for improvements to the U.S. immigration system. Carlson’s statement, dated Tuesday, makes express reference to escalating tensions at the border before calling for “a comprehensive, peaceful resolution to…

Nov 27, 2018 4:26 PM CST

ABA announces hotlines for California fire victims; state bar warns of fraud as first suits filed

The ABA has announced new legal assistance hotlines for victims of California wildfires in Butte, Ventura and Los Angeles counties. The number for fire victims in Butte County is 1-800-345-9491, while the number for fire victims in Ventura and Los Angeles counties is 1-877-301-4448, according to press releases by the…

Nov 19, 2018 11:16 AM CST