Annual Meeting

Bar Service: Barbara Howard, a longtime leader in the ABA, prepares for her next role

Barbara Howard, a self-described bar junkie, has been selected as the ABA president-elect nominee by the House Nominating Committee. She will face an uncontested vote by the full House at the ABA Annual Meeting in August.

Jun 1, 2025 12:45 AM CDT

Meet the ABA’s newest leaders

The ABA’s newly nominated officers and members of the Board of Governors will begin their terms in office after the association’s annual meeting in August. In the months before the meeting, we asked these nominees the same four questions.

Jun 1, 2025 12:20 AM CDT

Should law schools have more hands-on learning requirements?

Law students will need to get twice as much practical, hands-on experience before graduation if a proposal by the council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions moves forward.

May 12, 2025 4:30 PM CDT

ABA’s Impact: Confronting anti-Asian bias through civics education

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic created a wave of anti-Asian harassment in the United States. The number of incidents increased so sharply that in May 2021, President Joe Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law with a special emphasis on protecting Asian Americans.

Nov 27, 2024 11:15 AM CST

Law professor Jonathan Turley discusses free speech at ABA Crossroads Caucus event

In a scoop any journalist would envy, the ABA Crossroads Caucus welcomed professor Jonathan Turley to the first-ever public event to discuss his new book, The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage, just ahead of its planned release by Simon & Schuster. The program, held Aug. 3 at the ABA Annual Meeting, drew a broad audience, including then-ABA President Mary Smith, past ABA President Deborah Enix-Ross, numerous members of the ABA Board of Governors and at least one retired judge.

Oct 9, 2024 10:23 AM CDT

Steady in the Storm: ABA leaders steer a course to protect democracy and the association

“These are extraordinary times,” Mary Smith told the House of Delegates at the 2024 ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago in her final address as president. “Last year, I told you to run toward the storm. Well, my friends, we are in the storm. The importance of the role of lawyers has never been clearer.”

Oct 1, 2024 12:50 AM CDT

Tread Carefully: Survivors of sexual assault should not have to disclose that abuse for bar admission, House says

Applying to be admitted to the bar often involves listing any encounters you may have had with the justice system. But for some hopeful lawyers, this means having to disclose they have been the victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment or stalking.

Oct 1, 2024 12:40 AM CDT

Firms should consider billable hour credit for DEI and bar association work

Many firms already credit pro bono hours toward their attorneys’ billable hour requirements. But what about the time attorneys devote to bar association activities and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives?

Oct 1, 2024 12:30 AM CDT

Anticipating upcoming election, ABA House votes to safeguard Constitution and rule of law

With a contentious presidential race looming, bringing with it fears about the country’s future, the ABA House of delegates Tuesday adopted a resolution seeking to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.

Aug 6, 2024 3:01 PM CDT

Overuse of involuntary civil commitment as approach to homelessness debated by ABA House

When addressing homelessness, governments should not expand their criteria for the involuntary civil commitment of people with mental disabilities, the ABA House of Delegates urged on Tuesday.

Aug 6, 2024 1:24 PM CDT

Victims of sex assault should not have to disclose it when applying for bar admission, House says

Bar applicants should not have to disclose a history of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment or stalking, the ABA House of Delegates said Tuesday.

Aug 6, 2024 1:05 PM CDT

US should recognize gender as a protected class in immigration proceedings, House says

The House of Delegates overwhelmingly adopted a measure seeking to strengthen protections for victims of gender-based violence at the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago on Tuesday.

Aug 6, 2024 1:00 PM CDT

Lawyers play pivotal role fighting tyranny, says incoming ABA President-elect Michelle Behnke

A strong group of attorneys advances and protects the law—and the ABA is and will continue to be the power behind those efforts, ABA President-elect Michelle Behnke said.

Aug 6, 2024 11:43 AM CDT

Forensic genetic genealogy helps solve crimes, and all states should regulate it, ABA House says

The House of Delegates addressed the use of forensic genetic genealogy at the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago on Monday.

Aug 5, 2024 7:12 PM CDT

Police shouldn’t lie to minors during questioning, ABA House says

At the ABA Annual Meeting on Monday, the House of Delegates considered a resolution that addresses police questioning of minors.

Aug 5, 2024 7:01 PM CDT