New ABA President James Silkenat sets his agenda

Oct 1, 2013 6:30 AM CDT

Technology advances will put mobility into trials, doing more for less

Oct 1, 2013 6:20 AM CDT

Legal Services Corp. budget slashed by sequester in the face of unprecedented need, says chair

Legal Services Corporation board chair John G. Levi today told the ABA House of Delegates, near the conclusion of the ABA’s annual meeting in San Francisco, that abysmally low funding in recent years for representing the needy has gotten much worse because of Congress’ budget sequestration. In the wake of…

Aug 13, 2013 8:31 PM CDT

ABA House OKs membership dues discount for lawyers in public sector, military, nonprofits

The ABA House of Delegates today agreed to launch a new discounted dues pricing program for public sector lawyers and judges who join in groups of five or more. The resolution states that lawyers and judges in the military, in legal services or working for nonprofit entities can join the…

Aug 13, 2013 6:54 PM CDT

Let’s find a fit between needs of legal profession and society, ABA President James Silkenat says

Accepting the presidential gavel today at the gathering of the ABA House of Delegates, new ABA President James Silkenat of New York laid out a series of initiatives he intends to push during his term, which runs through next year’s ABA Annual Meeting in August 2014. In what may turn…

Aug 13, 2013 12:42 AM CDT

Hillary Clinton defends Voting Rights Act in first of series of policy speeches

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called strongly for protection and restoration of voting rights Monday when addressing the ABA’s House of Delegates and announced that it was the first in a series of policy-oriented speeches she intends to give in coming months concerning problems that challenge not just society…

Aug 13, 2013 12:22 AM CDT

Cyberattacks need to be fought with laws at federal and state levels, ABA House resolves

The ABA House of Delegates approved a resolution calling for the modification of or creation of laws at all levels of government to fight hacking by governments or others into computer systems and networks used by lawyers and law firms. Further, it urges the U.S. government to work with other…

Aug 12, 2013 11:19 PM CDT

Attorney-client privilege should apply to law firms’ consults with in-house counsel, ABA House says

The ABA House of Delegates approved a resolution urging that attorney-client privilege apply to advice given to law firm personnel by a law firm’s in-house counsel—possibly on matters pertaining to work for the firm’s clients. The measure stems from the increasing complexity of regulation, rules of professional conduct and greater…

Aug 12, 2013 10:07 PM CDT

‘Gay panic’ criminal defense strategies should be curtailed by legislation, ABA House resolves

The ABA House of Delegates has unanimously passed a resolution urging federal, state, local and territorial governments to pass legislation curtailing the availability and effectiveness of the use of “gay panic” and “trans panic” defenses by criminal defendants. These defense strategies seek to excuse the crimes by saying that the…

Aug 12, 2013 9:40 PM CDT

Act to combat human trafficking gets ABA House of Delegates’ approval

The ABA House of Delegates on Monday overwhelmingly approved as policy Resolution 102, which supports a legislative template produced and promulgated by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform Laws for states to adopt laws against human trafficking. It is titled the Uniform Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking…

Aug 12, 2013 8:24 PM CDT

Outgoing president lauds ABA’s new efforts against human trafficking, ‘a stain’ on our nation

Outgoing ABA President Laurel Bellows, giving the end-of-her-term speech to the ABA House of Delegates, highlighted accomplishments of the past year that show “why lawyers matter” and encouraged them to continue the fight on a variety of key issues for justice and equality. “It’s a really good day when the…

Aug 12, 2013 8:04 PM CDT

Sweeping reversal of the War on Drugs announced by Atty General Holder

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, speaking to the ABA’s 560-member policy making House of Delegates, on Monday announced a sweeping initiative by the Justice Department that in effect renounces several decades of tough-on-crime anti-drug legislation and policies. Significantly, among initiatives Holder outlined today, Holder announced a change in DOJ policies…

Aug 12, 2013 6:44 PM CDT

Anticipation is high for House speeches by Hillary Clinton and Eric Holder

Hillary ClintonfotostoryShutterstock.com Eric Holder Updated: The ABA House of Delegates faces an agenda of resolutions that should keep it busy until about midday Tuesday, but the early buzz is over two legal superstars who will address the House on Monday. The House convenes at 9 a.m. Monday at the Moscone…

Aug 12, 2013 1:07 AM CDT

Growing numbers of women in political leadership roles give Margaret Brent nominees hope for change

Left to Right: Therese M. Stewart, Gladys Kessler, Sara Holtz, Mazie K. Hirono and Marygold Shire Melli. Photo by Tony Avelar. The five recipients of this year’s Margaret Brent Lawyers of Achievement Award are leaders in changing the status of women in the legal profession and in general. But at…

Aug 11, 2013 11:32 PM CDT

EEOC is using labor law to bring civil actions against suspected human traffickers

Efforts to thwart human trafficking in workers has increased significantly in recent years, and the pace will quicken as employment rights intersect with human rights as an enforcement tool, shining a spotlight on employers. “This is not just a [Justice Department] problem, not just a criminal problem,” Robert Canino, a…

Aug 11, 2013 7:21 PM CDT