President's Letter

The Power of the Ballot: Lawyers need to be at the forefront in encouraging all citizens to vote

The American Bar Association will mobilize resources and urge lawyers to encourage voting and get involved as poll workers.

Oct 1, 2016 4:30 AM CDT

Finding the Better Way: Focus for the year will highlight ABA members, veterans, voting, education

“There’s a way to do it better—find it.” That motto, which hung on the wall of Thomas A. Edison’s laboratory to inspire his team, captures what we all want for the American Bar Association. We have many challenges facing the legal profession, our institutions and the rule of law. In…

Sep 1, 2016 4:20 AM CDT

The Joy is in the Journey: A year of meeting members, giving back, advancing diversity and inclusion

Deck: Paulette Brown recounts a presidential year of meeting members, giving back, advancing diversity and inclusion.

Aug 1, 2016 4:00 AM CDT

Protect the Vote, Promote the Vote: New voting laws can infringe on a critical constitutional right

The right to vote appears in the Constitution more than any other single right. It is mentioned five times in five different amendments, as compared to the freedoms of speech, religion and assembly, which are all mentioned just once. But rather than a constitutional right, voting is often treated as…

Jul 1, 2016 4:00 AM CDT

Equal Justice for All: The time is now; the rule of law also applies to the poor

“The opposite of poverty is not wealth. In too many places, the opposite of poverty is justice.” This quote from Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative and National Law Day chair, is especially relevant today. Across the country, the poor are denied access to justice and equal protections…

Jun 1, 2016 3:30 AM CDT

On 50th anniversary of landmark Miranda decision, is it more than mere words?

All of us have heard these words, even if we have never been arrested. The Miranda warning is ingrained in our consciousness through decades of popular culture references. From Dragnet to Law & Order to How to Get Away with Murder, it has been repeated so often that most Americans…

May 1, 2016 3:40 AM CDT

ABA Day 2016 marks 20 years of advocacy and lobbying for justice on Capitol Hill

"Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent."

That simple truth voiced by Napoleon Bonaparte identifies the key to the success of ABA Day on Capitol Hill, when association members from all jurisdictions show up in force to visit the offices of their elected representatives and other lawmakers. This year, I hope you can join me for the 20th Annual ABA Day in Washington, D.C., April 19-21, and make some noise on important issues.

Apr 1, 2016 4:10 AM CDT

Justice for all ... who can afford it

What is the price of justice? America is supposed to adhere to the principle of “equal justice under law,” a concept dating back to ancient Greece and embedded in our society through the 14th Amendment. The phrase is so important to our legal system it is engraved on the U.S.…

Mar 1, 2016 4:00 AM CST

Main Street ABA combines member outreach, mentorship and visits to Boys & Girls Clubs

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” These words of St. Augustine, the 4th-century Christian philosopher, carry great wisdom, even in today’s world and specifically for the president of the American Bar Association. As my term approaches its halfway point, I have…

Feb 1, 2016 3:50 AM CST

Inclusion ≠ Exclusion: Understanding implicit bias is key to ensuring an inclusive profession

In today’s society, the attitudes and stereotypes that we all hold in our hearts can affect our understanding, actions and decisions in an unconscious manner. The phenomenon is called implicit bias and it is very real. It does not in any way make people unsavory, but implicit bias can impede…

Jan 1, 2016 4:00 AM CST

ABA Everyday program thanks members with free, daily content

In 1948, the vocal group The Ink Spots recorded “The Best Things in Life are Free” and rode the recording to the Top 10 of the rhythm and blues charts. Although the Ink Spots were singing about the moon, stars, flowers and love, they were on to something. Who doesn’t…

Dec 1, 2015 4:20 AM CST

Greater diversity and inclusion in the legal profession will help achieve justice for all

The preamble to the United States Constitution promises to “establish justice.” In the Pledge of Allegiance, we vow “justice for all.” The American Bar Association motto states we are “pursuing justice.” Are they mere words on paper? Unfortunately, certain segments of society believe they are. As author and poet Maya…

Nov 1, 2015 4:00 AM CST

The power of pro bono: ABA day of service helps legal profession make ‘justice for all’ a reality

The legal profession has a strong tradition of service. No other profession provides more pro bono aid to those in need than ours.

Oct 1, 2015 8:45 AM CDT

Expanding Our Reach: New initiatives will promote and advance the four ABA goals

The American Bar Association’s four goals are to serve our members, improve our profession, eliminate bias and enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law. As your new president, I am excited to move our goals forward with new initiatives that build on our commitment to defend liberty and deliver…

Sep 1, 2015 4:00 AM CDT

A Year of Progress: ABA advances work on innovation in legal services and other areas

To paraphrase Carole King’s famous song, the earth is moving under our feet. A growing number of technology-based companies now offer the public easy-to-use, low-cost dispute resolution and legal services. As we have learned with medicine, journalism, finance, real estate and other sectors, many lawyers face the threat of becoming…

Aug 1, 2015 4:30 AM CDT