Bar Associations

Judge’s advocacy for domestic violence survivors changed Arizona laws

“When I first became a judge, law enforcement and judges basically had the same attitude for domestic violence,” says Judge Elizabeth Finn. “They were quote unquote ‘family disputes,’ and we just wanted them to go away.”

Sep 12, 2024 3:15 PM CDT

Nevada green-lights three-pronged plan to licensure

Nevada will move forward on its proposal for a unique three-stage assessment for bar licensure that does not include using the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ new NextGen bar exam—but might include the test being developed by Kaplan Exam Services for the State Bar of California.

Sep 12, 2024 2:24 PM CDT

Nonlawyer entities could provide legal services in Washington in proposed pilot program

Nonlawyer-owned entities would be allowed to deliver legal services in Washington under a pilot program proposed by the Washington State Bar Association and a board created by the Washington Supreme Court.

Sep 11, 2024 2:36 PM CDT

Getting ready for retirement is easier than you think

Most people start thinking about and saving for their retirement in their 50s, timing they invariably regret. In my career, I have conducted well over 100 retirement seminars. I can attest that at the end of every seminar, attendees undoubtedly say, “I wish I had taken this course sooner” and “Why didn’t I start to plan for my retirement earlier?”

Sep 11, 2024 1:30 PM CDT

Stressed and depressed, only 34% of young lawyers with highest student debt say JD was worth cost, new ABA survey says

High student debt is affecting the emotional well-being of young lawyers and affecting their life decisions, according to a 2024 survey by the ABA Young Lawyers Division released Monday.

Sep 9, 2024 1:18 PM CDT

Tennessee law denies transgender youths equal access to medical care, ABA says

Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender youths violates the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause, the ABA has argued in an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Sep 3, 2024 2:00 PM CDT

How to integrate marketing insights into legal writing

Assuming that you share your legal knowledge and experience without oversimplification, advice from marketing experts can be worthwhile and immensely useful. Here are a few ways to embrace marketing advice without leaving your legal training behind.

Sep 3, 2024 1:10 PM CDT

Mandatory bar violated lawyer’s association rights, but remedy ‘need not be drastic,’ 9th Circuit says

A federal appeals court ruled this week that a lawyer’s mandatory membership in the Oregon State Bar violated his freedom-of-association rights because its magazine published statements that criticized former President Donald Trump and implied that the membership agreed.

Aug 29, 2024 11:27 AM CDT

To address lawyer shortage, Indiana could fund scholarships, approve allied professionals, commission says

Indiana could help address an attorney shortage in underserved communities through law student scholarships and loan-repayment assistance, according to initial recommendations by the Indiana Supreme Court’s Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future.

Aug 28, 2024 9:04 AM CDT

Wanted: Lawyers to help with this year’s election

The Task Force for American Democracy, formed by immediate-past ABA President Mary Smith last year, is on the front lines. In recent months, its members conducted a cross-country listening tour to discuss improving public trust in the electoral process. It also released an analysis outlining current threats to elections and ways lawyers and state and local bar associations can help protect the system.

Aug 26, 2024 10:52 AM CDT

How to combat cybersecurity threats when using artificial intelligence

If you’re nervous about cybersecurity threats to your law firm, you’re not alone. While cybersecurity will always be a threat, especially if you’re using artificial intelligence, there are ways to combat it.

Aug 26, 2024 9:06 AM CDT

Worried your legal work could contribute to clients’ criminal conduct? New ABA ethics opinion shares guidelines

What are lawyers’ duties to assess the facts and the circumstances of every client’s or potential client’s situation—to ensure that the representation does not contribute or further the client’s criminal or fraudulent activity? This question is addressed in a new ethics opinion from the ABA’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

Aug 23, 2024 10:03 AM CDT

Lawyers must lead in efforts to preserve accessible, equitable and transparent rule-of-law system

As a nation, we have made the decision to be governed by the rule of law. This means that as a society, we have agreed to abide by a set of transparent, fairly enacted and fairly applied laws and rules that will govern our conduct in our private and public affairs.

Aug 21, 2024 1:39 PM CDT

Expunging attorney discipline records could come with risks, according to new paper

A new working paper claims that attorneys who have their disciplinary records expunged are nine times more likely to be disciplined again than lawyers with no history of getting in trouble with attorney licensing agencies.

Aug 20, 2024 1:41 PM CDT

4 of 5 modern lawyer presidents graduated from T-14 law schools; Harris wouldn’t be in that group if elected

Updated: Vice President Kamala Harris would be the second modern president with a law degree from a school outside the top 14 if she is elected in November.

Aug 20, 2024 8:50 AM CDT