Features

The best places to practice in 2019

Should you choose a state that’s already home to tons of attorneys? Or one that costs very little to buy a home? Or maybe in a state that boasts a high concentration of legal jobs?

Sep 1, 2019 3:30 AM CDT

Meet the 2019 Legal Rebels

When the ABA Journal named the first class of Legal Rebels 10 years ago, the legal industry was undergoing rapid transformation. Ten years later, it’s clear that many of the same issues that drove the original class of Legal Rebels to look for solutions outside the mainstream are still prevalent.

Sep 1, 2019 12:05 AM CDT

Formerly incarcerated people are building their own businesses and giving others second chances

Formerly incarcerated people have a difficult time separating themselves from their criminal histories, which makes getting jobs a struggle. Even when they’re eligible to get their records sealed or expunged, most don’t go through the process because they are either unaware of how to do it or lack the legal help they need to get it done.

Jul 1, 2019 12:30 AM CDT

Closing Time: As Whittier Law School prepares to close, its dean tries to soften the blow for students

Jul 1, 2019 12:16 AM CDT

Urge to merge: Difficult times for law schools have prompted several to attempt to be acquired by other schools

In the past three years, seven law schools announced plans to partner, gift or sell themselves to universities—all but begging the question: Why would anyone want them?

Jul 1, 2019 12:15 AM CDT

Lawyers, songs and money: Music that changed the law

Some songs or albums move the law. A band or artist will be involved in a lawsuit so groundbreaking and important that it will set a precedent, either enshrined in law or otherwise binding future generations.

Jul 1, 2019 12:05 AM CDT

Law, Camera, Action! Attorneys with side gigs as TV commentators are always on call

Lawyers draw from their expertise to explain the law to a wider audience. But whether they appear on cable news or local morning shows, the demands of the format take a leading role.

Jun 1, 2019 12:05 AM CDT

Change Agents: A new wave of reform prosecutors upends the status quo

Because so many decisions are made outside of the public eye, the prosecutor’s office is often referred to as the “black box” of America’s criminal justice system. But a wave of new reformers are intent on letting in the light—through transparency, community engagement, and most important, regime change.

Jun 1, 2019 12:00 AM CDT

ABA offers opportunities and resources to address collateral consequences

Expungement and sealing of records will help people with criminal records move forward with their lives, says Lucian Dervan, chair of the ABA Criminal Justice Section.

May 1, 2019 7:00 AM CDT

Facebook plans to create a judicial-like body to address controversial speech

An independent body would hear appeals of content decisions by Facebook, either removing or leaving up posts, and its decisions would be binding.

May 1, 2019 12:45 AM CDT

Chicago nonprofit helps formerly incarcerated people find work and self-worth

Cara Chicago, a nonprofit that provides job readiness training to formerly incarcerated people, helps build their confidence.

May 1, 2019 12:15 AM CDT

Ending mass incarceration won’t succeed without giving people a second chance

While the United States has consistently put more people in prison than any other country, it has come up short in helping rebuild their lives once they’re released. More than 600,000 people leave the nation’s prisons every year with little more than a bus ticket and 50 bucks. Within five years, more than half of former state inmates are back inside.

May 1, 2019 12:15 AM CDT

Whose Court Is This Anyway? Immigration judges accuse executive branch of politicizing their courts

Immigration judges are concerned that the Trump administration has moved from reprioritizing cases to deliberately trying to affect case outcomes through unilateral changes to case law, pressure on judges to rule faster and even allegedly considering political affiliation in hiring judges.

Apr 1, 2019 12:15 AM CDT

Catch and Kill: Can tabloids hide behind the First Amendment?

Buying a story specifically to suppress it is known in the tabloid world as “catch and kill.” Should it be protected action under the First Amendment?

Apr 1, 2019 12:10 AM CDT

Law Day 2019: Free speech, free press, free society

May 1, 2019, will mark the 61st anniversary of Law Day, which is held every year as a celebration of the rule of law in our society. A planning guide features tips for organizing an effective Law Day event.

Apr 1, 2019 12:07 AM CDT