Bar Associations

Legal Ed council broadens proposed accreditation standard addressing diversity

The council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has proposed reframing a contentious law school accreditation standard that encourages diversity to instead focus on achieving “access to legal education and the profession” for all qualified aspiring lawyers.

Aug 16, 2024 4:35 PM CDT

California signs deal with Kaplan for bar exam with plan for potential copyright issues

Despite concerns about copyright issues, the State Bar of California and Kaplan Exam Services signed an agreement allowing the company best known for test prep to create multiple-choice, essays and performance test questions for a California Bar Exam for use starting in February 2025.

Aug 15, 2024 2:52 PM CDT

Golden Gate Law students and alums race to court to keep school open

“The court hearing is set for Sept. 13, but I plan to request to have the date shortened,” Ryan Griffith, attorney for the alums and students, and an adjunct professor at and graduate of the Golden Gate University School of Law, told the ABA Journal via email.

Aug 14, 2024 12:16 PM CDT

Lawyer accused of misappropriating up to $282M allegedly handed firm control to disbarred attorney

Updated: A lawyer accused of misappropriating up to $282 million from as many as 60,000 debt-relief clients, either through intentional or “grossly negligent” conduct, had employed a disbarred lawyer alleged to be running the operation.

Aug 13, 2024 3:49 PM CDT

How to choose a legal tech company

While it’s clear that legal technology is necessary, what’s not so crystal is determining which legal tech company will be the best fit for your law firm.

Aug 13, 2024 9:07 AM CDT

How is AI affecting courts and law practice? ABA task force report has answers

Do the Federal Rules of Evidence have to be changed to address issues created by artificial intelligence? That is one of several issues addressed by the ABA Task Force on Law and Artificial Intelligence in a report on AI’s impact on the practice of law released Monday.

Aug 8, 2024 9:38 AM CDT

Anticipating upcoming election, ABA House votes to safeguard Constitution and rule of law

With a contentious presidential race looming, bringing with it fears about the country’s future, the ABA House of delegates Tuesday adopted a resolution seeking to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.

Aug 6, 2024 3:01 PM CDT

Overuse of involuntary civil commitment as approach to homelessness debated by ABA House

When addressing homelessness, governments should not expand their criteria for the involuntary civil commitment of people with mental disabilities, the ABA House of Delegates urged on Tuesday.

Aug 6, 2024 1:24 PM CDT

Victims of sex assault should not have to disclose it when applying for bar admission, House says

Bar applicants should not have to disclose a history of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment or stalking, the ABA House of Delegates said Tuesday.

Aug 6, 2024 1:05 PM CDT

US should recognize gender as a protected class in immigration proceedings, House says

The House of Delegates overwhelmingly adopted a measure seeking to strengthen protections for victims of gender-based violence at the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago on Tuesday.

Aug 6, 2024 1:00 PM CDT

Lawyers play pivotal role fighting tyranny, says incoming ABA President-elect Michelle Behnke

A strong group of attorneys advances and protects the law—and the ABA is and will continue to be the power behind those efforts, ABA President-elect Michelle Behnke said.

Aug 6, 2024 11:43 AM CDT

Forensic genetic genealogy helps solve crimes, and all states should regulate it, ABA House says

The House of Delegates addressed the use of forensic genetic genealogy at the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago on Monday.

Aug 5, 2024 7:12 PM CDT

Police shouldn’t lie to minors during questioning, ABA House says

At the ABA Annual Meeting on Monday, the House of Delegates considered a resolution that addresses police questioning of minors.

Aug 5, 2024 7:01 PM CDT

Billable hours for DEI work? Yes, please

Many firms already credit pro bono hours toward their attorneys’ billable hours. But what about the time attorneys devote to bar association activities and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives?

Aug 5, 2024 6:31 PM CDT

A resource center that combats judicial threats should be formed, ABA House says

The U.S. Congress should enact legislation that establishes a State Judicial Threat Intelligence and Resource Center, the House of Delegates said at the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago on Monday.

Aug 5, 2024 6:27 PM CDT