Civic Education

ABA president tells House of Delegates to ‘keep moving’ and ‘keep climbing’

Deborah Enix-Ross, in her final speech as president of the ABA, encouraged the House of Delegates to “keep climbing.”

Aug 7, 2023 1:34 PM CDT

Diversity of Viewpoints: Civility turns down heat, increases light to attain results

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan said at her 2010 confirmation hearing: “What I’ve learned most is that no one has a monopoly on truth or wisdom. I’ve learned that we make progress by listening to each other, across every apparent political or ideological divide.” It is especially important for the legal profession to promote and accept diverse viewpoints as it works to bridge the polarization and erosion of trust in our democratic institutions.

Aug 1, 2023 3:00 AM CDT

ABA entities help amplify the ‘court watch’ movement

The ABA is ramping up efforts to support a growing movement of court watchers. These are members of the public who observe bail hearings and other court proceedings and document the actions of judges and lawyers.

Aug 1, 2023 12:40 AM CDT

New ABA civics survey finds most Americans perceive decline in civility

An overwhelming majority of Americans agree that civility has sharply declined in our country. That’s one of the key findings of the fifth annual ABA Survey of Civic Literacy, which was released ahead of Law Day on May 1.

Apr 27, 2023 9:30 AM CDT

Law Day Lessons: Civility, collaboration remain the answer to a better society

“As the legal community prepares to celebrate Law Day on May 1, we should look back on why this day exists,” writes ABA President Deborah Enix-Ross. “Law Day dates to the days of the Cold War, more than 60 years ago. … Today, as we struggle as a nation that often seems divided, Law Day is even more important.”

Apr 1, 2023 3:30 AM CDT

In speech, Deborah Enix-Ross applauds ABA’s civic and civil engagement

Referencing the “three Cs” that have become a hallmark of her presidency, ABA President Deborah Enix-Ross’ speech to the House of Delegates focused on how members’ work has helped people with a variety of issues.

Feb 6, 2023 1:18 PM CST

5 ABA projects that got off the ground in 2022

Each year, ABA members and staff lead a multitude of projects and initiatives that serve their colleagues and communities as well as improve the legal profession. The ABA Journal regularly covers these efforts, which range in scope, subject area and location, and the leaders at the helm.

Dec 22, 2022 8:35 AM CST

Our Civic Sacrament: Voting and the people who make the process work must be protected and respected

“The American Bar Association is committed to fixing this growing problem of the erosion of election confidence. Through its Standing Committee on Election Law, the ABA, in a nonpartisan fashion, examines ways to improve the federal electoral process to permit the broadest, least restrictive access for all eligible Americans to the ballot box and to ensure all votes are counted,” writes ABA President Deborah Enix-Ross.

Dec 1, 2022 2:50 AM CST

ABA President Deborah Enix-Ross says she’ll focus on civics, civility and collaboration

Deborah Enix-Ross talks often about her determination to join the ABA. She became president of the ABA at the close of the annual meeting in August and spoke with the ABA Journal a few weeks later about her plans for her term.

Dec 1, 2022 12:40 AM CST

Want to strengthen voting rights? The ABA is seeking volunteers for Perfecting Democracy initiative

Two ABA groups have launched initiatives with the aim of strengthening election protection and the public’s trust in the electoral process.

Nov 1, 2022 8:39 AM CDT

Agree to Disagree: Civics, civility and collaboration can guide us to a better society

“‘Agree to disagree’ is what lawyers do around negotiation tables every day. We do it in mediation, in arbitration and in courtrooms after a judge has heard both sides and issued a ruling. ‘Agree to disagree’ is what we should do in the big tent that encompasses the diversity of membership in the American Bar Association,” writes ABA President Deborah Enix-Ross.

Oct 1, 2022 2:50 AM CDT

ABA calls on legal professionals to ‘step up’ and serve as poll workers in upcoming 2022 elections

The ABA is mobilizing lawyers to serve as poll workers in the upcoming 2022 elections.

Aug 24, 2022 9:53 AM CDT

ABA project aims to help Afghan legal professionals establish themselves in the United States

In the weeks following the one-year anniversary of the fall of Kabul to the Taliban on Aug. 15, the ABA Journal is highlighting the ABA’s efforts to help judges and lawyers from Afghanistan resettle, obtain immigration benefits and secure jobs using their legal skills. This is part one in our series.

Aug 23, 2022 8:53 AM CDT

Thanks to civics teacher’s efforts, last convicted witch in Massachusetts is exonerated

An eighth grade civics teacher, working with her students, helped win the exoneration of the last convicted witch in Massachusetts.

Aug 5, 2022 9:42 AM CDT

Russian disinformation campaigns threaten trust in the court system, panelists say

Public confidence in the courts is at risk because of Russian disinformation campaigns, panelists said at a symposium at the National Judicial College on Thursday.

May 27, 2022 10:53 AM CDT