Bar Associations

Welcome to the 118th Congress

The 118th Congress began earlier this month with President Joseph R. Biden still in office and a divided government. After hard-fought midterm elections, the Democrats retained majority control in the Senate, but with a slim 51-to-49 margin that includes three Independent senators in the majority, two of whom will caucus…

Jan 27, 2023 12:45 PM CST

Using N-word at home is not lawyer ethics violation, hearing committee says

A now-former judge who used the N-word in a video taken at her home did not violate lawyer ethics rules, according to a hearing committee of the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board.

Jan 26, 2023 11:16 AM CST

Attorney-client privilege case dismissed by Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court has dismissed an attorney-client privilege case two weeks after hearing oral arguments.

Jan 23, 2023 11:22 AM CST

15 ABA advocacy wins of the 117th Congress

Despite tumultuous times and a contentious political backdrop, the ABA Governmental Affairs Office scored major victories for the legal profession during the 117th Congress.

Jan 19, 2023 12:27 PM CST

Should lawyers embrace or fear ChatGPT?

Released Nov. 30, ChatGPT, a chatbot created by OpenAI, has made waves in a short amount of time for how responsive, sophisticated and realistic it is.

Jan 18, 2023 9:10 AM CST

Law firm’s more protective test for attorney-client privilege ‘is a big ask,’ Kagan says

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan told a lawyer representing a tax law firm Monday that his proposed expansive test for protecting documents under attorney-client privilege “is a big ask,” according to coverage of the oral arguments.

Jan 10, 2023 8:29 AM CST

Supreme Court will consider ‘huge’ attorney-client privilege case

The issue is whether a communication involving both legal and nonlegal advice is protected by attorney-client privilege when obtaining or providing legal advice is one of the significant purposes for the communication.

Jan 5, 2023 1:47 PM CST

US News changes its rankings system amid boycotts by most top law schools

U.S. News & World Report is changing its law school rankings system after several law deans announced that they would refuse to provide data to the publication because of their concerns about metrics that emphasize reputation and disincentivize support for public-interest careers.

Jan 3, 2023 10:57 AM CST

5 ABA projects that got off the ground in 2022

Each year, ABA members and staff lead a multitude of projects and initiatives that serve their colleagues and communities as well as improve the legal profession. The ABA Journal regularly covers these efforts, which range in scope, subject area and location, and the leaders at the helm.

Dec 22, 2022 8:35 AM CST

Law school class of 2022 may be ‘most diverse entering class in history,’ LSAC says

Relying on data from ABA Standard 509 Information Reports released Monday, the Law School Admission Council has found that for the incoming law school class of 2022, 36.6% identify as people of color.

Dec 21, 2022 11:32 AM CST

Longtime disability rights advocate Scott LaBarre dies at 54

Scott LaBarre, a longtime member of the ABA who advocated for the rights of people with disabilities, died on Dec. 10 after a short battle with cancer. He was 54. "Scott was a top lawyer in the disability law area, but he was so much more," ABA President Deborah Enix-Ross told the ABA Journal. "He was a great leader, inspiring, always cheerful and upbeat and loved by all who had the good fortune to know him. He worked tirelessly on behalf of the ABA, making the association a much better organization. He will truly be missed, but his legacy endures."

Dec 20, 2022 10:40 AM CST

There are fewer JD students this year and increases in non-JD programs, new ABA data says

There is a slight decrease in JD enrollment for the fall 2022 term, according to data released Monday by the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

Dec 19, 2022 11:07 AM CST

Congress passes bills to protect judges, remove statue of Dred Scott decision author

ABA President Deborah Enix-Ross is applauding Congress for passing a bill intended to keep federal judges safe by banning disclosure of their personal information.

Dec 19, 2022 8:46 AM CST

Weekly Briefs: Giuliani committed ethics violation, committee says; Justice Kavanaugh criticized for attending party

Rudy Giuliani committed ethics violation in election suit, committee says A hearing committee in Washington, D.C., made a preliminary finding Thursday that lawyer Rudy Giuliani committed at least one ethics violation in connection with his voter fraud claims in a Pennsylvania lawsuit. The committee did not elaborate on its finding.…

Dec 16, 2022 3:00 PM CST

Texas AG seeks records from immigration nonprofits, seeks funding sources for ‘border invasion’ aid

Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is seeking information from three immigration and legal nonprofits to determine whether they are receiving funds from the Texas Bar Foundation and using the money to “support the border invasion.”

Dec 15, 2022 2:45 PM CST