ABA

Labor Department Partners With ABA in Lawyer Referral Program

Some workers whose complaints aren’t resolved by the U.S. Labor Department will be told of another option: Find a private lawyer through an ABA-approved lawyer referral program. The collaboration between the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division and the ABA was revealed Friday morning at a White House press conference.…

Nov 19, 2010 3:44 PM CST

ABA Battles FTC in DC Appeals Court: Does Red Flags Rule Apply to Lawyers?

Seeking to call a decisive halt to an attempt by the Federal Trade Commission to regulate the practice of law, the American Bar Association argued today in federal appeals court that a U.S. District Court judge clearly got it right when he ruled from the bench last year that the…

Nov 16, 2010 12:12 AM CST

At $60K Median Lawyer Salary, ‘It Will Be Very Difficult’ to Repay’ $100K+ in Debt

As would-be legal eagles try to spread their wings in a difficult economy, it’s important for law schools to provide “total disclosure” about what their graduates can realistically expect in practice, says the president of the American Bar Association. Unrealistic expectations about the kind of money they likely can make…

Nov 15, 2010 11:28 PM CST

Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights Aims to Right Wrongs of Discrimination

ABA Journal interview with New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, honorary co-chair of the ABA's Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities.

Nov 12, 2010 11:08 PM CST

ABA Amicus Brief Supports Calif. Court Order to Reduce Prison Population

The ABA has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court that supports a court-ordered cap on California’s prison population. The brief (PDF) says prison overcrowding has been shown to have a number of harmful effects on the medical and mental health of inmates, as well as those who…

Nov 2, 2010 2:14 PM CDT

If Asked, Don’t Tell

An ineffective assistance claim is no excuse for ignoring confidentiality

Nov 1, 2010 8:59 AM CDT

More Than a Budget Line Item

An adequately funded judiciary is of utmost necessity to ensure access to justice

Nov 1, 2010 8:36 AM CDT

It Feels Good to Share

Lawyers go online to tell their stories about surviving breast cancer

Nov 1, 2010 8:35 AM CDT

Time to Make a Move

Measures may help provide counsel to the poor in vital civil cases

Nov 1, 2010 8:30 AM CDT

Where the Action Is

The ABA seeks more recruits for its legislative advocacy campaign

Nov 1, 2010 8:25 AM CDT

ABA Announcements

2010 REGULAR STATE DELEGATE ELECTIONS The following jurisdictions will elect a State Delegate for a three-year term beginning at the adjournment of the 2011 Annual Meeting: Arizona Connecticut District of Columbia Illinois Iowa Maine Michigan Mississippi Montana Nebraska New Jersey Oklahoma Puerto Rico South Carolina South Dakota Texas Washington Wyoming…

Nov 1, 2010 5:15 AM CDT

As Pro Bono Week Kicks Off, NY Chief Judge Expands ‘Emeritus’ Legal Help Program

New York’s chief judge is expanding an “emeritus” program that pairs retired lawyers with low and moderate-income people needing free legal help. Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman announced Monday that the program will be expanded to include lawyers who are still practicing law but nearing retirement, the New York Law Journal…

Oct 26, 2010 4:34 PM CDT

ABA Weighs Required Disclosure of Law School Job Stats, More Rigorous Reporting

ABA President Stephen Zack says potential law students lack awareness about lawyer jobs and salaries, and the association is considering ways to correct the misimpression. Zack was quoted by the National Law Journal about concerns that a record number of applicants are applying to law schools even as law firms…

Oct 19, 2010 3:30 PM CDT

ABA Probes Lawyer Raters—Avvo, Am Law and Best Lawyers

Lawyer and law firm rankings and ratings providers all profess to employ a “completely transparent” methodology for arriving at the choices they make. But one provider’s idea of what constitutes complete transparency may differ from another’s, as an ABA commission studying the issue learned Saturday. The ABA Commission on Ethics…

Oct 18, 2010 1:30 PM CDT

New Commission Aims to Improve Access to Justice for Fast-Growing Hispanic Population

The ABA’s new Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities will look at how to improve access to the justice system for Hispanics but also at how to bring a deeper understanding of the culture of the rule of law to the nation’s biggest and fastest growing minority population, ABA…

Oct 14, 2010 3:34 PM CDT