ABA

‘Astronomically high caseloads’ in five districts should spur quick action by Congress, ABA says

The ABA is backing additional federal judgeships and increased court funding in a letter sent to the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. The letter (PDF) acknowledges controversy over a pending bill to create additional judgeships, but says Congress should work to resolve the impasse. In the meantime, the letter…

Oct 30, 2013 2:22 PM CDT

Where is he now? Former ABA President Zack can be found at the UN

The ABA’s first Hispanic American president has added another honor to his resumé. Former ABA President Stephen N. Zack of Miami has been nominated to help represent the United States at the 68th General Assembly of the United Nations. Zack has not yet been confirmed—the vote is set for December—but…

Oct 23, 2013 11:15 AM CDT

500 law profs urge ABA legal ed council to keep faculty tenure as an accreditation requirement

The ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar hasn’t received much in the way of a response to its latest proposed changes in the law school accreditation standards. Only one person showed up to speak at a pair of hearings on the proposed changes in three chapters…

Oct 22, 2013 6:41 PM CDT

Weeklong pro bono celebration includes pledges, panels and a Justice Bus

Lawyers in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny County are being asked this week to make a “pro bono pledge” to commit to at least one pro bono case next year. In Los Angeles, lawyers who commit to take on a pro bono matter before the end of the year will be entered in…

Oct 22, 2013 11:40 AM CDT

Can lawyers use Groupon-type marketing? ABA ethics opinion sees problems with prepaid deals

Lawyers who offer prepaid deals through daily deal or group-coupon offers are treading on ethically precarious ground, according to an ABA ethics opinion. The opinion (PDF) doesn’t specifically mention Groupon, probably the best-known group coupon website, except in a footnote referencing a state bar opinion. But its description of the…

Oct 21, 2013 8:26 PM CDT

Ideological lines blurred in SCOTUS arguments on right to challenge asset freeze

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. was among an unusual lineup of justices who appeared to favor arguments on behalf of a couple seeking to use frozen funds to pay for a lawyer. Roberts emerged as the “primary defender” for the New York couple, Kerri and Brian Kaley, who are…

Oct 17, 2013 2:27 PM CDT

ABA committee recommends pushing all jurisdictions to disclose bar exam results to law schools

An ABA committee has decided to ask the governing council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar to press for the universal release to law schools of name-specific bar exam pass-fail information. The move comes as the section’s Standards Review Committee, which is conducting a comprehensive…

Oct 15, 2013 8:20 PM CDT

Prescription drugs now the No. 2 addiction problem handled by lawyer assistance programs

Prescription drugs follow alcohol as the most commonly abused substances by lawyers seeking help through state support programs, according to a survey by the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs. Prescription drugs accounted for as many matters handled by the state programs as cocaine, methamphetamines and heroin combined. A press…

Oct 3, 2013 2:44 PM CDT

ABA President Silkenat condemns shutdown, says Congress should ‘end the scorched-earth tactics’

ABA President James R. Silkenat is condemning the government shutdown caused by the budget impasse in a statement issued on Tuesday. “This government shutdown is a historic failure that imperils justice in our country,” he said. “Congress has practically abdicated its constitutional responsibility to provide a budget for the government.…

Oct 1, 2013 11:59 AM CDT

Legal Access Job Corps will place law grads in areas with unmet legal needs

Our nation is facing a paradox involving access to justice. On the one hand, too many people with low and moderate incomes cannot find or afford a lawyer to defend their legal interests, no matter how urgent the issue. On the other hand, too many law graduates in recent years…

Oct 1, 2013 10:00 AM CDT

ABA is looking for a few good lawyers to help members of the military

The ABA is looking for a few good lawyers to help the many good members of the military. An initiative announced in August by the association, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Legal Services Corp. will provide pro bono legal assistance to military veterans. Launching as a pilot…

Oct 1, 2013 7:50 AM CDT

Attorney general’s speech reflects ABA push against overcriminalization

When U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder told the ABA’s 560-member House of Delegates about his sweeping initiative that in effect renounced decades of tough-on-crime anti-drug legislation and policies, it fell on welcoming ears. For years, the ABA has been calling for these and other reforms to criminal laws. “The attorney…

Oct 1, 2013 7:10 AM CDT

Legal ed council offers choice on law professors’ job security

The governing council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar tentatively approved three more chapters of proposed amendments to the law school accreditation standards. The council, which met during the annual meeting, voted to post the proposed changes to chapters 1, 3 and 4 of…

Oct 1, 2013 7:00 AM CDT

Ex-secretary of state Hillary Clinton calls for voting rights action

Adding a taste of political campaign 2016, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called strongly for protection and restoration of voting rights when addressing the ABA’s House of Delegates in San Francisco. She announced that this would be the first in a series of policy-oriented speeches she intends to give…

Oct 1, 2013 6:50 AM CDT

House of Delegates supports key measure to fight human trafficking

The ABA House of Delegates has approved a uniform law that could become an important weapon in the war against human trafficking in the United States. The 560-member House, which sets policy for the ABA, approved the Uniform Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking Act (PDF) in August “as…

Oct 1, 2013 6:40 AM CDT