Domestic & Sexual Violence

Duane Morris partner ousted after wife found dead in stairwell and her parents allege domestic violence

Updated: A judge in Cook County, Illinois, has granted a temporary restraining order that prevents a now-ousted partner at Duane Morris from retrieving the remains of his wife after her body was found in a stairwell in his South Loop residential building last month.

Nov 12, 2024 9:42 AM CST

2nd Circuit sticks to its guns on constitutionality of concealed-carry law after SCOTUS remand

New York residents can’t carry handguns in sensitive locations and must show evidence of good moral character when applying for a concealed-carry license.

Oct 28, 2024 2:07 PM CDT

The Power of Pro Bono: A fair hearing, respect and justice for all

Irene walked into the office of a young lawyer in a small town in Mississippi more than 40 years ago with an eviction notice and a two-page lease. Events that would follow turned the lawyer into a legal aid attorney and a believer in the power of pro bono legal work.

Oct 16, 2024 10:28 AM CDT

Supreme Court orders reconsideration of appellate decision on youths carrying guns

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday told a federal appeals court to reconsider its decision that blocked a Pennsylvania ban on youths openly carrying guns during a state of emergency.

Oct 15, 2024 2:46 PM CDT

MacArthur ‘genius grants’ fellows include law prof, domestic violence researcher

Among the winners of the 2024 MacArthur Foundation fellowships, commonly known as "genius grants," are a law professor who studies racial inequities and a researcher who studies the impact of technology on intimate partner abuse.

Oct 3, 2024 2:30 PM CDT

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

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

Gun laws aren’t ‘trapped in amber,’ SCOTUS says while upholding restraining-order gun ban

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday upheld a federal law banning gun possession by those who are subject to domestic-violence restraining orders.

Jun 21, 2024 10:03 AM CDT

Judge who cut bail for man linked to later fatal arson had cited his right to counsel

Updated: A judge in Maine is being blamed for reducing bail for a man who was later shot and killed in a standoff with police on Saturday after he allegedly set a fire that killed a person.

Jun 17, 2024 3:31 PM CDT

Judge used N-word when questioning whether prosecutors were too aggressive, transcript shows

Updated: A Black judge in Louisiana used the N-word and complained about a “piss-poor" resolution of a case while chastising prosecutors during an April hearing, a transcript indicates.

May 15, 2024 11:19 AM CDT

ABA is committed to protecting sexual assault survivors in bar admissions process, letter says

ABA President Mary Smith is asking an ABA commission to study the prevalence and impact of bar admissions questions that require survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking to disclose their involvement in legal and administrative proceedings.

May 8, 2024 11:54 AM CDT