Bar Associations

Pro-Trump lawyer retires from law practice, leading state bar to drop ethics cases against him

A lawyer involved in litigation to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election has agreed to permanently retire from law practice, leading the State Bar of Georgia to drops its two disciplinary cases against him.

Jul 7, 2023 8:38 AM CDT

Lost Trust: US intelligence community must make reforms, change culture to regain public faith

To combat the American public’s loss of faith in the intelligence community, agencies must make reforms and create a culture of compliance and concern, according to panelists at “Lost Trust: Politics and Intelligence,” a webinar hosted by the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security.

Jul 5, 2023 10:39 AM CDT

Supreme Court strikes down student loan forgiveness; Roberts warns of ‘disturbing’ feature of some opinions

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness plan, holding that it was not authorized by a law allowing modification of student-aid programs during national emergencies.

Jun 30, 2023 9:56 AM CDT

Supreme Court rules for Christian businesswoman who won’t make websites for same-sex weddings

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that the First Amendment protects a web designer who refuses to create websites for same-sex weddings.

Jun 30, 2023 9:15 AM CDT

SCOTUS strikes down race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard, University of North Carolina

Citing the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday struck down race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina.

Jun 29, 2023 9:36 AM CDT

Supreme Court rejects ‘independent state legislature’ theory, rules state courts may review congressional maps

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Tuesday that state courts have the power to review congressional maps created by state legislatures.

Jun 27, 2023 9:35 AM CDT

For some parties in LGBTQ landmark cases, June 26 is a special day

Before Roberta Kaplan read the 2013 U.S. Supreme Court opinion that struck down a law banning federal benefits to same-sex married couples, she knew that her client Edie Windsor had won because the majority was written by then-Justice Anthony Kennedy, who had authored earlier opinions supporting same-sex rights. And there was a dissent from then-Justice Antonin Scalia, who had a history of voting against same-sex rights.

Jun 26, 2023 8:44 AM CDT

States can’t challenge Biden administration’s immigration enforcement policy, Supreme Court rules

Updated: Texas and Louisiana don’t have standing to challenge immigration-enforcement guidelines that the two states believe to be too lenient, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in an 8-1 decision.

Jun 23, 2023 10:51 AM CDT

Law students older than 30 more likely to promote online law school courses, new report finds

According to a report released June 20 by the AccessLex Institute and Gallup, law students with different backgrounds had distinct perceptions of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jun 21, 2023 3:23 PM CDT

‘My Mom, the Lawyer’ explores women’s work and personal lives through the eyes of their children

While directed at young children, a lawyer’s book also speaks to lawyers who are moms, letting them know that being both can be a busy but fulfilling life.

Jun 21, 2023 8:39 AM CDT

LGBTQ rights should be protected with ‘proactive policymaking,’ ABA entity leaders urge

Nearly a decade ago, one of Bobbi Bittker’s three kids came out as transgender. While she and her family were supportive, she quickly understood other LGBTQ kids were rejected by their families or denied access to vital medical and legal resources. That deeply bothered Bittker, an attorney who has long been passionate about civil rights.

Jun 20, 2023 8:48 AM CDT

Indian adoption law upheld by Supreme Court, but equal protection issue remains undecided

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a federal law giving preferences to tribes in Native American adoptions but left consideration of challengers’ equal protection argument for a future case in which plaintiffs have standing to raise it.

Jun 15, 2023 10:23 AM CDT

Longtime civil rights leader Fred Gray will receive ABA Medal

When Fred Gray was 24 years old, he was the lawyer for Rosa Parks, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which began the modern civil rights movement. He later represented marchers involved in the Selma to Montgomery March and helped desegregate the bus system in Montgomery, Alabama, and the school systems in Alabama.

Jun 15, 2023 10:20 AM CDT

How could alternative licensure alter lawyer labor supply? Law prof’s research may have answers

If jurisdictions eliminate the bar exam as an entry to attorney licensure, the labor supply of lawyers would increase by 16%, according to new research by an associate professor at the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis.

Jun 14, 2023 10:51 AM CDT

Disability rights advocates challenge California’s bar exam accommodation process

Updated: Two disability rights groups have filed a U.S. Department of Justice complaint against the State Bar of California alleging that the agency “consistently” violates the Americans With Disabilities Act regarding bar exam accommodation requests.

Jun 13, 2023 8:52 AM CDT