Attorneys with Disabilities

Silent Struggles: Chronic illness, law firm culture and the need for psychological safety

We were in a small conference room—just me and the sixth-year associate. He was explaining an edit to the undisclosed liabilities representation clause of a merger agreement. I could hear his words, but all I could see was blurred black ink on the page.

Mar 11, 2026 9:10 AM CDT

Where are they now? Legal Opportunity Scholarship recipients share impact on their careers

It’s been more than 25 years since past ABA President William “Bill” Paul created the Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund, which has provided $15,000 scholarships to more than 400 diverse law students from around the country.

Jan 6, 2026 11:17 AM CST

Federal budgets would further hit access to disability lawyers, advocates say

People with disabilities might find it more difficult to access lawyers to defend their rights if proposed federal budget cuts are approved, according to a story by USA Today.

Dec 15, 2025 11:11 AM CST

While working as Georgia prosecutor, lawyer filed more than 600 disability lawsuits

A lawyer who filed more than 600 Americans With Disabilities Act lawsuits in federal court against hotels and was found to have repeatedly inflated his attorney fees has been suspended from practicing in Maryland.

Dec 9, 2025 1:44 PM CST

About 1 in 5 law students have a disability, new survey finds

A survey released this week from Indiana University found that among U.S. law students, about 20% reported that they have a disability of some kind—ranging from mental health conditions to physical disabilities—and often feel unsupported.

Nov 6, 2025 11:38 AM CST

Lawyer alleges BigLaw firm fired her 11 days after she disclosed epilepsy diagnosis, violating disability law

A former lawyer at Ballard Spahr has filed a lawsuit alleging that she was fired for taking medical leave after suffering gastrointestinal problems and a seizure.

Apr 10, 2025 9:00 AM CDT

BigLaw firm tones down diversity references on website, citing ‘fluctuating internal and external expectations’

Updated: K&L Gates has removed references to “diversity” from its website and rebranded its Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Feb 13, 2025 10:13 AM CST

Are you a neurodivergent lawyer? The ABA wants to hear your story

The ABA Commission on Disability Rights is seeking neurodivergent legal professionals for a new project that will highlight their valuable contributions to the workplace.

Feb 12, 2025 10:28 AM CST

Dive into our favorite long reads of 2024

The end of the year will hopefully bring you some downtime for leisure reading. We’ve curated a list of some of our favorite web and print long reads from 2024.

Dec 23, 2024 9:35 AM CST

Michelle Rozovics’ love of learning and teaching takes her around the world

ABA member Michelle Rozovics—the managing attorney of Rozovics Law Firm in McHenry, Illinois, a small city northwest of Chicago—says curiosity led her to the legal profession. It inspired her to pursue international and business law and to work with clients, law students and judges around the world.

Nov 27, 2024 8:48 AM CST

Hazed and abused, some lawyers see bullying as part of job while others leave, new study says

Bullying experienced by lawyers is causing increased turnover and “a talent drain from the profession,” according to a new Illinois survey and study thought “to be one of the first wide-scale research projects” of its kind in the United States.

Oct 2, 2024 12:03 PM CDT

Justice Sotomayor’s side hustle during a hectic term? A children’s musical

“Of all my legacies, this is the one I’m most proud of,” Justice Sonia Sotomayor told about 200 parents, children, actors and musicians gathered in a church hall to rehearse a musical adaptation of her children’s book Just Ask. “You have brought to life a book that was in my head for over 35 years.”

Aug 29, 2024 12:45 PM CDT

Lawyer with muscular dystrophy shoots for the stars

Megan Parker was born with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. She has a limited range of motion and uses a motorized wheelchair for mobility. She also has a tracheostomy tube in her neck and breathes through a ventilator. Despite these challenges, Parker persevered through college and law school, graduating with both a JD and an LLM.

Aug 1, 2024 1:30 AM CDT

Lewis Brisbois settles one former partner’s lawsuit; second is pending

Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith has settled a race and disability lawsuit filed by a Black former partner who cited remarks in emails by two partners who hired him.

Jul 31, 2024 12:20 PM CDT

Harvard Law grad who sued over bar exam accommodations loses in 2nd Circuit

Updated: A graduate of Harvard Law School can’t sue for denial of her full requests for accommodations while taking the bar exam, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Jul 23, 2024 8:39 AM CDT