International Law

Indian scholar’s release from detention shows importance of international human rights work

As a member of the ABA Center for Human Rights team, Waris Husain has the privilege of helping those on the front line of justice across Asia. One recent case highlights CHR’s ability to take immediate action to assist a justice defender in danger.

Jul 30, 2020 1:20 PM CDT

Harvard, MIT sue to stop new rule prohibiting visas for international students taking online courses

Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Wednesday brought a federal lawsuit challenging a COVID-19-related immigration rule, which prohibits visas for international students taking online courses.

Jul 8, 2020 10:44 AM CDT

In advancing dignity rights, the ABA has a unique potential to change the world

“While lawyers do indispensable work throughout the human rights community, as I hoped to do, it is something else again for the entire legal profession, as represented by the ABA, to advocate human rights. That was power.”

Jul 7, 2020 9:04 AM CDT

ABA is ‘deeply concerned’ by China’s new security law, saying it violates agreement with Hong Kong

ABA President Judy Perry Martinez said Wednesday the ABA is “deeply concerned” by China’s new national security legislation, which is designed to curb anti-government demonstrations in Hong Kong.

Jul 1, 2020 3:54 PM CDT

Coronavirus on board: Lawyer’s parents were trapped on a contaminated cruise ship

Florida plaintiffs lawyer Debi F. Chalik remembers the moment she decided to file suit against Princess Cruises for negligence arising from the COVID-19 outbreak on the Grand Princess ship. It was March 6, and she was home watching Vice President Mike Pence deliver a televised briefing that included an update on the status of the Grand Princess.

Jun 1, 2020 12:02 AM CDT

Suing a cruise line? There are a boatload of challenges unique to the industry

Bringing a case against an ocean cruise line is challenging. Plaintiffs lawyers say these cases are highly specific and highly specialized, governed by myriad legal standards and subject to investigative challenges. It’s an area so unique that it’s easy for a novice lawyer to make an honest mistake that can permanently sink an otherwise meritorious case.

Jun 1, 2020 12:00 AM CDT

How are the ABA’s international ROLI programs adjusting to a global pandemic?

Communities around the world are reeling from the repercussions of the novel coronavirus pandemic and measures taken to contain it. Democratic backsliding threatens to derail significant development gains we have witnessed that have provided fair and equitable access to justice and measures to build accountable and inclusive justice institutions. Immediate…

May 28, 2020 11:24 AM CDT

Chemerinsky: It’s going to be an unusual May in the Supreme Court

For the first time in recent memory, the Supreme Court will be holding oral arguments in May, and for the first time ever, they will be by telephone. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, oral arguments were canceled in the Supreme Court in March and April.

Apr 29, 2020 8:00 AM CDT

Are we entering a new era of legal education during the novel coronavirus crisis?

Ari Kaplan recently spoke with Lutz-Christian Wolff, Stephen Gallagher and Joyce Wong—the dean, associate dean for teaching and learning and the faculty secretary, respectively—of the Chinese University of Hong Kong's law faculty, about the COVID-19 pandemic and a potentially new era of legal education.

Apr 24, 2020 8:00 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Missouri sues China over COVID-19; lawyer accused of threatening cameraman

Missouri is first state to sue China over COVID-19 The state of Missouri has filed a lawsuit against China that contends that its government covered up knowledge of COVID-19 and hoarded personal protective equipment. Missouri is the first state to sue China. The suit alleges breach of duty, public nuisance…

Apr 22, 2020 4:18 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Congress asked for COVID-19 lawsuit curbs; law school cuts pay for staff and faculty

Lobbyists seek COVID-19 lawsuit curbs Lobbying groups for U.S. businesses are asking Congress to curb liability for companies that could face lawsuits in connection with COVID-19. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is suggesting safe harbor from privacy laws for employers who inquire about health status, safe harbor from age and…

Apr 21, 2020 4:09 PM CDT

Now more than ever, human rights defenders must be released from detention

In the interest of flattening the COVID-19 curve, upholding the fundamental rights of detainees and enhancing national security, human rights defenders arbitrarily detained for their legitimate rights work should be released. As the world comes to terms with the declaration by the World Health Organization of COVID-19 as a global…

Apr 16, 2020 3:54 PM CDT

Lawyer fights for human rights in the nation of Georgia

“Being a female lawyer in Georgia is a constant struggle against stereotypes. Many people brag about our cultural traditions for respecting women in my country, but in reality, these traditions are used to marginalize women from community decision-making,” writes Anna Arganashvili, a human rights lawyer.

Apr 1, 2020 2:20 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: GCs are overloaded with coronavirus webinars; former judge dies at 88

General counsels are overloaded with COVID-19 emails and webinar invites Corporate clients are inundated with emails and webinar invitations from law firms offering information on the novel coronavirus, according to Caitlin “Cat” Moon, director of innovation design for the program on law and innovation at Vanderbilt Law School. Moon says…

Mar 26, 2020 4:36 PM CDT

Chief innovation officer talks firm’s changing culture amid COVID-19 and best tips for working remotely

Ari Kaplan recently spoke with Patrick DiDomenico, the chief innovation officer for Jackson Lewis, a large national labor and employment-focused law firm with more than 60 offices throughout the United States. He is also the author of Knowledge Management for Lawyers, published by the American Bar Association in 2016.

Mar 24, 2020 11:59 AM CDT