Rule of Law

ABA project is supporting Afghan legal professionals 4 years after fall of Kabul

In the months following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban on Aug. 15, 2021, the ABA began working to help judges and lawyers from Afghanistan resettle, obtain immigration benefits and secure jobs using their legal skills.

Aug 20, 2025 11:38 AM CDT

Incoming ABA President Michelle Behnke to prioritize defending liberty, pursuing justice

The American Bar Association will redouble its efforts to defend liberty and pursue justice to advance the rule of law, said Wisconsin attorney Michelle Behnke, who became ABA president Tuesday at the close of association’s annual meeting in Toronto.

Aug 13, 2025 3:21 PM CDT

ABA House adopts policy on law firm intimidation, immigration issues

The American Bar Association House of Delegates adopted more than 50 policy matters, including one on law firm intimidation, several on immigration enforcement and detention, and resolutions on academic freedom and open, civil debate at universities when it met during the 2025 ABA Annual Meeting.

Aug 12, 2025 12:54 PM CDT

When lawyers speak, America listens

Six months ago, the American Bar Association faced a choice. Across the country, the rule of law was being tested—not just in courtrooms, but in classrooms, statehouses, and within the public discourse. Public servants were penalized for doing their jobs. There were calls to impeach judges for their decisions. There was a pattern of resistance to court orders. There was a government-wide attack on diversity. Civic norms were eroding. Threats, retribution and coarse language characterized how government officials treated those who disagreed with them. We witnessed the dehumanization of people and the violation of their civil and human rights. These all continue today.

Aug 5, 2025 2:30 PM CDT

Supreme Court Justice Kagan says independence of judges is under threat

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan said Thursday the independence of judges is under attack, buffeted by threats of violence, vitriolic reactions to rulings and defiance of court orders, particularly by government officials.

Jul 25, 2025 9:45 AM CDT

William Neukom, former ABA president with influence ‘from boardrooms to ballparks to courtrooms,’ dies at 83

Former ABA president Bill Neukom, once chief lawyer for Microsoft and CEO of the San Francisco Giants, has died at 83.

Jul 17, 2025 11:22 AM CDT

Civics Education: A teachable moment about the meaning of ‘rule of law’

In a June 2023 essay entitled “Civics: Who Will Teach Them?,” U.S. District Judge Curtis L. Collier of the Eastern District of Tennessee made the following statement about the critical importance of effective civics education for all U.S. citizens: “An important component of being a good citizen is being an informed and knowledgeable citizen. That means having a working knowledge of how our government is structured, how it functions, the role of the different branches of government, their separate powers, the branches’ responsibilities and the limitations on their powers. Without such knowledge, it is nearly impossible for us to fulfill our duties or wisely exercise our privileges as citizens.”

Jul 8, 2025 3:01 PM CDT

Lawyer for ABA, foreign-aid recipients tells DC Circuit US must spend appropriated ‘pots of money’

Congress in 2024 “appropriated very specific pots of money for foreign assistance purposes” and required the executive branch to spend the full amount, a lawyer representing the ABA and other groups challenging funding cutoffs told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Monday.

Jul 8, 2025 1:35 PM CDT

US will appeal Perkins Coie win in fight over punitive executive order

The federal government will appeal a judge’s decision permanently blocking an executive order targeting Perkins Coie.

Jul 1, 2025 11:41 AM CDT

Harvard Law School names new dean, a leader who ‘cares deeply about the legal profession’

John C.P. Goldberg, who has been Harvard Law School’s interim dean since March 2024, was formally appointed to the position, effective immediately.

Jul 1, 2025 8:58 AM CDT

Trump executive order ‘cuts Susman off at the knees,’ judge says, permanently blocking it

A fourth federal judge has granted a permanent injunction blocking President Donald Trump from targeting law firms because of the clients they represent and the causes that they back.

Jun 30, 2025 10:49 AM CDT

Nationwide injunctions likely exceed federal courts’ authority, Supreme Court says

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed with the Trump administration Friday when it ruled 6-3 in a case about birthright citizenship that nationwide injunctions likely exceed the authority of federal courts.

Jun 27, 2025 9:22 AM CDT

Whistleblower alleges 3rd Circuit nominee Emil Bove suggested ignoring court orders while at DOJ

A whistleblower lawyer alleges that he was fired after resisting efforts by the Department of Justice and White House leadership to defy court orders in immigration cases “through lack of candor, deliberate delay and disinformation.”

Jun 25, 2025 10:17 AM CDT

SCOTUS will allow Trump to deport migrants to ‘third countries’ for now

The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for the Trump administration to deport immigrants to countries where they are not citizens, temporarily blocking a decision by a lower court judge who said migrants must have a “meaningful opportunity” to contest their removal.

Jun 23, 2025 4:41 PM CDT

Attacks on rule of law will fail because lawyers ‘are fierce’ and ‘very resourceful,’ says DC Bar president-elect

“Lawyers are fighters, and judges will follow the law,” says Diane Seltzer, the president-elect of the D.C. Bar for the 2025-2026 term. “We are fierce; we care deeply about justice; and we are very, very resourceful in finding ways to make sure we prevail.”

Jun 20, 2025 11:17 AM CDT