Legislation & Lobbying

When should life sentences be overturned? Judge shares how he decides

A federal judge’s new book is giving readers a rare inside glimpse at how a judge determines which prisoners deserve to have their sentences overturned.

Jan 8, 2025 9:30 AM CST

Attorney-client privilege should cover electronic messages to federal prisoners, ABA president says

Dec 19, 2024 9:24 AM CST

Has constitutional-convention threshold already been met? It happened in 1979, GOP lawmaker says

The 34-state threshold for calling a constitutional convention has already been reached, if the U.S. Constitution’s Article V counts any state request for a convention, no matter what the topic, according to a professor at the Georgetown University Law Center.

Dec 17, 2024 2:15 PM CST

Congress has passed a bill to add more US judges; will Biden veto it?

A bill that would create dozens of new federal judgeships across the country received final approval in Congress on Thursday morning, setting up a likely veto from President Joe Biden even as his administration pushes to confirm his final nominees to fill existing judicial vacancies.

Dec 12, 2024 3:12 PM CST

ABA Legislative Priorities Survey helps members set the agenda

As lawyers and legal professionals, the importance of our collective voice in shaping the future of our profession and society cannot be overstated. The American Bar Association is once again inviting its members to participate in the Legislative Priorities Survey, a critical tool that helps determine the focus of the ABA’s advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C.

Dec 1, 2024 12:20 AM CST

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

Supporting Survivors: ABA and its members have shaped the Violence Against Women Act for 30 years

The Violence Against Women Act passed in September 1994. VAWA, as it’s commonly known, was the first federal law to focus on preventing and combating sexual assault and domestic violence. Maricarmen Garza credits VAWA for bringing her to the ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence.

Nov 26, 2024 2:27 PM CST

How to ensure your legal team is well-prepared for the shifting privacy landscape

Make no mistake: Maintaining privacy compliance is a complex moving target, and the checks and balances that your company needed 10 years ago do not even scratch the surface of what you need today.

Nov 22, 2024 9:33 AM CST

Legislature can’t use subpoena to delay execution in shaken-baby case, Texas Supreme Court rules

Texas lawmakers can’t force courts to delay an execution by issuing a legislative subpoena for a death row inmate’s testimony after the scheduled execution date, the Texas Supreme Court has ruled.

Nov 19, 2024 1:41 PM CST

Members Only: Make your voice heard in the ABA Legislative Priorities Survey

The ABA Legislative Priorities Survey is more than just a questionnaire; it is a powerful instrument that helps the ABA to align its efforts with the concerns and priorities of its membership.

Nov 12, 2024 4:00 PM CST

DC Circuit allows trespassing charge used to prosecute more than 1,400 Jan. 6 defendants

Prosecutors don’t have to show that a Jan. 6, 2021, trespassing defendant was aware that the U.S. Capitol grounds were restricted because of the presence of then-Vice President Mike Pence, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.

Oct 23, 2024 1:39 PM CDT

Justice for Survivors: ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence marks 30 years of advocacy

The ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Over the past three decades, the commission has become a nationally recognized leader, committed to equipping lawyers, judges and advocates with technical assistance and comprehensive training on survivors’ complex legal issues.

Oct 1, 2024 12:20 AM CDT