ABA

ABA scholarship and other programs broaden inclusion in all areas of the law

A diversity of perspectives enriches our society and strengthens our institutions. This is why an essential goal of the American Bar Association is to achieve full and equal participation in the association, the legal profession and the justice system by people of all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented racial and…

Mar 1, 2014 11:00 AM CST

Legal Ed task force to lobby for change in law school programs

The final report of the ABA’s Task Force on the Future of Legal Education should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the task force’s previous work. The main difference is what it plans to do with the study. The 41-page report (PDF) (with recommendations) released in late January…

Mar 1, 2014 8:10 AM CST

Startup Lab’s Rick Klau to keynote Techshow conference

Rick Klau, a partner at Google Ventures, still remembers his first ABA Techshow. It was 1996, he was a student at the University of Richmond (Va.) School of Law, and most people had barely even heard of the Internet. He was especially struck by renowned technology lawyer G. Burgess Allison,…

Mar 1, 2014 8:00 AM CST

ABA opposes burdensome accounting method affecting law firms

Congress is poised to consider legislation to simplify the tax laws this year, but the ABA says one of the key provisions being considered would have the opposite effect and cause negative unintended consequences—both for the overall tax system and for many lawyers and law firms in particular. The provision,…

Mar 1, 2014 7:50 AM CST

ABA Announcements

DELEGATE-AT-LARGE ELECTION Pursuant to § 6.5 of the ABA Constitution, six Delegates-at-Large to the House of Delegates will be elected at the 2014 Annual Meeting for three-year terms beginning with the adjournment of that meeting and ending with the adjournment of the 2017 Annual Meeting. Candidates for election as Delegate-at-Large…

Mar 1, 2014 7:40 AM CST

ABA asks NSA to explain how intelligence agency deals with attorney-client privilege

Following news reports that a foreign ally of a U.S. intelligence agency may have spied on a BigLaw firm, the American Bar Association has asked the director of the National Security Agency and its general counsel for an explanation of how it deals with attorney-client privilege. In a Thursday letter…

Feb 21, 2014 6:32 PM CST

How to advise clients on legal-marijuana issues? Some bar associations mull ethics rule changes

Image from Shutterstock. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law. But a growing number of states have moved to allow medical marijuana, or even recreational pot use and sales, some lawyers feel they are between a rock and a hard place. State and local government entities, as well as…

Feb 12, 2014 6:15 PM CST

President-elect nominee emphasizes membership, collaboration

Paulette Brown acknowledges the symbolic value of her nomination to become the first woman of color to lead the ABA. “Whenever one is the first anything the expectations are a bit different,” Brown said in a speech to the association’s House of Delegates on Monday. The expectations will be high,…

Feb 10, 2014 9:43 PM CST

ABA dues hike averaging 13 percent is approved

After eight years without a dues increase, the ABA will hike the cost of individual membership by about 13 percent, on average, for most members. The ABA House of Delegates approved the increase by voice vote Monday. There were only a few no votes. Those admitted to the bar less…

Feb 10, 2014 8:35 PM CST

ABA resolution urges businesses to adopt policies against child labor and labor trafficking

The ABA House of Delegates has adopted a resolution urging businesses to adopt policies against child labor and trafficking that are consistent with four model principles. The principles outlined in Resolution 102B say the business will prohibit child labor and labor trafficking in its operations, will assess the risk of…

Feb 10, 2014 7:32 PM CST

ABA President Silkenat: America’s legal response to gun violence is unacceptable

In an emotional speech to the ABA House of Delegates on Monday, ABA President James R. Silkenat criticized Congress for failing to adopt gun legislation after the December 2012 shootings in Newtown, Conn., that claimed the lives of 20 elementary-school children and six school staff members. Fighting back tears, Silkenat…

Feb 10, 2014 6:28 PM CST

24 new citizens sworn in to start ABA House of Delegates session

Rather than receiving welcome from a prominent politician, the ABA House of Delegates welcomed 24 new Americans on Monday. Twenty-four immigrants from 19 countries were sworn in as citizens at the beginning of its session at the 2014 ABA Midyear Meeting in Chicago. U.S. District Judge Marvin Aspen, himself a…

Feb 10, 2014 5:06 PM CST

ABA resolution urges laws to stop foster kids from transitioning to homelessness

Governments should enact laws and policies to prevent homelessness when foster kids age out of the system, according to a resolution passed on Monday by the ABA House of Delegates. Resolution 109A says governments and courts should provide support for housing assistance to young adults who turn 18 while in…

Feb 10, 2014 5:00 PM CST

ABA resolution endorses a human right to adequate food

The ABA House of Delegates has passed a resolution calling for increased funding and a reordering of priorities to fight hunger in the United States. Resolution 107 urges governments to increase funding and implement strategies “to promote the human right to adequate food and nutrition for all.” The resolution also…

Feb 10, 2014 4:55 PM CST

ABA resolution backs access to effective appellate representation for juveniles

Juveniles in delinquency cases, including juveniles who qualify for public defender services, should have access to effective appellate representation, according to a resolution approved by the ABA House of Delegates on Monday. Resolution 103A says juveniles should have access to appeals consistent with state statutes and state constitutional provisions. A…

Feb 10, 2014 4:21 PM CST