A binding code of ethics for SCOTUS justices is needed to protect the court’s credibility, delegates say

The U.S. Supreme Court should adopt a binding code of ethics for its justices that is akin to the code of conduct the Judicial Conference of the United States adopted for other federal judges, the House of Delegates said after a spirited debate at the midyear meeting.

Apr 1, 2023 12:50 AM CDT

ABA urges removal of Confederate monuments from courthouse grounds

Apr 1, 2023 12:40 AM CDT

ABA endorses 10 principles to improve gender equality in the criminal legal profession

Apr 1, 2023 12:30 AM CDT

ABA has a long history of advocating for indigent defense and public defenders

For more than a century, the ABA has advocated on issues related to indigent defense, primarily through its Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense. In fact, SCLAID (when it was operating as the Standing Committee on Legal Aid Work) stated in its 1937 annual report: “We believe that every man accused of serious crime is absolutely entitled to counsel and that, if too poor to employ one, society must furnish him that lawyer.”

Apr 1, 2023 12:20 AM CDT

ABA Notices - April-May 2023

Apr 1, 2023 12:15 AM CDT

Members will return to Capitol Hill for in-person advocacy during ABA Day

For the first time since 2019, the ABA is convening on Capitol Hill for ABA Day. The annual advocacy event, which is scheduled for March 27-29, is an opportunity for Congress members to hear directly from their constituents about the association’s legislative priorities. Top of this year’s list: funding for the Legal Services Corp.

Mar 23, 2023 1:03 PM CDT

Lawyer’s suit over disclosure of ABA Journal subscription tossed by federal judge

A federal judge in Detroit has tossed a Michigan lawyer’s lawsuit contending that the American Bar Association disclosed his membership, and therefore his ABA Journal subscription, to list brokers and others in violation of state law.

Mar 23, 2023 12:58 PM CDT

ABA announces 30 finalists for 2023 Silver Gavel Awards

For the past 65 years, the ABA has recognized outstanding work that fosters the public’s understanding of law through its Silver Gavel Awards for Media and the Arts. This year, the association has selected 30 finalists, which include books, commentaries, documentaries, drama and literature, magazines, multimedia, newspapers, radio and television programs.

Mar 22, 2023 11:00 AM CDT

Law school gets extension to meet Standard 316; ABA Legal Ed council posts additional notice on faculty diversity

Updated: The Golden Gate University School of Law, which has not had a two-year bar pass rate at or above 75% since its class of 2017, has received an extension to come into compliance with Standard 316, which requires a bar passage rate of at least 75% within a two-year time period.

Mar 14, 2023 10:52 AM CDT

Bill Horton, longtime ABA leader and past Health Law Section chair, dies at 63

William “Bill” Horton, a longtime leader in the ABA Health Law Section, died Tuesday from cancer. “There are those lawyers whom the ABA changes, and there are those who change the ABA. Bill Horton is one of the latter,” ABA President-Elect Mary Smith said in a tribute.

Mar 10, 2023 9:00 AM CST

Finance-related notice for Kentucky law school posted by ABA Legal Ed Section

The University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law is not in compliance with an accreditation standard focused on financial resources, the council of the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar recently found.

Mar 8, 2023 1:35 PM CST

ABA partners with law schools to advance new approaches to policing and public safety

Kendall Anderson, a 3L at the Syracuse University College of Law, is a fellow in the third class of the Legal Education Police Practices Consortium. He plans to study cases in which police stops end in physical altercations. “I’ll try to get insight from officers as to the training they do that is preparing and equipping them to be able to handle those situations better.”

Mar 7, 2023 11:43 AM CST

3 law schools dinged on bar pass rates see improvement; another back in compliance with diversity standard

Updated: Three law schools have come into compliance with an ABA accreditation standard requiring two-year bar passage rates of at least 75%, the council of the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar recently announced.

Mar 6, 2023 11:17 AM CST

Fictional ABA Techshow hearing tackles hot-button issue on amending rules of professional conduct

Should states relax rules of professional conduct to address the access-to-justice crisis and make legal services more affordable? On Friday, a panel of experts took on that question during a fictional hearing at the second and final keynote at this year’s ABA Techshow at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

Mar 3, 2023 1:46 PM CST

Another law school dinged on accreditation standard regarding diversity of faculty and staff

Updated: The Baylor University School of Law is noncompliant with an accreditation standard that requires schools to demonstrate “concrete action” showing a commitment to having a diverse and inclusive faculty and staff, according to an ABA notice posted Wednesday.

Mar 2, 2023 10:48 AM CST