ABA supports several of the Biden administration’s proposed nursing home reforms

Nina Kohn, a professor at the Syracuse University College of Law, has long focused on the intersection of the law and the experiences of older adults, including those who need long-term care. In recent months, she has helped draw attention to three policies that closely align with nursing home reforms the Biden administration announced in February.

Jun 21, 2022 10:04 AM CDT

Minnesota lifer will attend online law school accredited by the ABA after variance granted

In what may be a first, Minnesota inmate Maureen Onyelobi will attend online classes this fall at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

Jun 14, 2022 12:21 PM CDT

Lawyer population is up 6.6% in 10 years; percentage of Black lawyers remains the same, new ABA survey says

The total number of active lawyers in the United States has increased 6.6% since 2012, according to the 2022 National Lawyer Population Survey released by the ABA on Friday.

Jun 13, 2022 8:39 AM CDT

After repeat failures to meet bar pass standard, ABA gives Cooley Law School extension

Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School continues to not meet the 75% bar passage rate required under Standard 316, and the council of the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar recently gave the school an extension to come into compliance.

Jun 6, 2022 3:18 PM CDT

Congress should ‘take swift, evidence-informed action’ to stop gun violence, ABA president says

In the wake of recent mass shootings in a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, and at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, ABA President Reginald Turner is urging Congress “to take swift, evidence-informed action to dramatically reduce the threat and devastating impacts of gun violence.”

Jun 2, 2022 10:02 AM CDT

Participants were pleased to be at the first in-person ABA Techshow in 2 years

This year’s Techshow, which took place March 2-5 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, wasn’t quite a return to normal. Nevertheless, for some vendors, setting up shop in the in-person exhibit hall again for the first time since the ABA Techshow 2020 gave them a chance to cement relationships that they have built online with customers.

Jun 1, 2022 2:30 AM CDT

As ABA president-elect nominee, Mary Smith says her North Star is member service

Mary Smith asks herself the same two questions any time she considers a new opportunity: “Am I the right person for this role?” and “Can I make a difference?” She didn’t join or become active in the ABA thinking she would one day be the association’s president. But she began to contemplate the possibility while serving as its secretary, a position she held from 2017-2020. “I believe the ABA really helps lawyers with their practice, and it helps with rule of law issues and promoting democracy and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, and I care about all of those things,” Smith says.

Jun 1, 2022 12:40 AM CDT

Meet This Year’s Nominees: ABA candidates highlight positive experiences, plans for year

Ahead of the 2022 ABA Annual Meeting in August, we asked incoming leadership candidates the same four questions: What positive experiences have you had with the ABA? What would you like to accomplish during your term? What is something not a lot of other ABA members know about you? And why would you encourage other lawyers and judges to join the association?

Jun 1, 2022 12:30 AM CDT

Matters of Life and Death: ABA advocacy helps ensure constitutional protections in capital cases

Death penalty cases are difficult. The crimes are often shocking, and justice for the victims and their families is always a concern. The ABA does not take a position on the morality or constitutionality of the death penalty. But it is committed to ensuring capital punishment is applied in a fair, unbiased and accurate manner, including engaging with governments to ensure due process.

Jun 1, 2022 12:20 AM CDT

ABA Notices - June-July 2022

Jun 1, 2022 12:10 AM CDT

Scott Schoettes has ‘personal stake’ in work for individuals living with HIV/AIDS

In a landmark ruling in April, the Department of Defense was ordered to stop discriminating against people with HIV and permit them to deploy and commission as military officers. Scott Schoettes represented the two plaintiffs who brought the suit, a case with personal meaning for him as an attorney living with HIV.

May 31, 2022 1:12 PM CDT

ABA Legal Ed council seeks comment on proposed revision to law school admissions test requirement

Should the LSAT stay or go? A suggested revision to remove the requirement for law school entrance exams will be going out for notice and comment, following a Friday vote by the council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

May 20, 2022 3:20 PM CDT

2022 Silver Gavels go to book by Anita Hill, documentary about trailblazer Pauli Murray

Looking for your next read, TV show or podcast? Start with one of the eight winners of the ABA’s 2022 Silver Gavel Awards for Media and the Arts.

May 18, 2022 11:00 AM CDT

Law firm leaders are still mostly white and male, ABA diversity survey says

White male attorneys continue to constitute the highest percentages of equity partners, non-equity partners and associates at law firms, according to an ABA report released Monday.

May 16, 2022 2:35 PM CDT

Oregon’s overburdened public defender system is ‘buckling before our eyes’

The public defender system in Oregon is so overburdened that several hundred defendants don’t have legal representation at any given time.

May 11, 2022 2:31 PM CDT