Public Interest

Rule change to allow paraprofessionals to offer limited legal services proposed by top Texas court

The Texas Supreme Court is seeking comment on a proposal that would allow qualified nonlawyers to provide some legal services to low-income Texans.

Aug 7, 2024 10:19 AM 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

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

Supreme Court rejects Missouri’s suit seeking to delay Trump sentencing in New York case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected Missouri’s motion to file an original jurisdiction lawsuit contending that the conviction of former President Donald Trump in the hush-money election-interference case in New York undermines his ability to campaign and violates state residents’ First Amendment right to hear from him.

Aug 6, 2024 11:33 AM 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

Incoming ABA President Bill Bay calls on legal profession to ‘stand together’

“Individually, we have shortcomings and weaknesses,” incoming ABA President William R. “Bill” Bay told the ABA House of Delegates. “But we are strongest when we stand together, when we lift each other up, when we put aside the differences, which the world tells us should divide us.”

Aug 5, 2024 5:43 PM CDT

Gender-affirming health care should be protected, ABA delegates advise

The House of Delegates called for greater protection for gender-affirming health care at the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago on Monday.

Aug 5, 2024 3:10 PM CDT

Ten Commandments displays should not be required in public school classrooms, ABA House says

The ABA’s House of Delegates overwhelmingly agreed at its annual meeting Monday to oppose legislation permitting or requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools and to urge the repeal of such laws already in place.

Aug 5, 2024 1:16 PM CDT

‘We are in the storm,’ warns ABA President Mary Smith

ABA President Mary Smith warned of upcoming threats to democracy and urged the protection of American democracy during the 2024 ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Aug 5, 2024 1:05 PM CDT

151-year-old Comstock Act is ‘relic’ that should be overturned, House urges

The House of Delegates urged the U.S. Congress to repeal a 151-year-old law that could be used to ban abortions at the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago on Monday.

Aug 5, 2024 12:39 PM CDT

Justice Department sues TikTok, alleging it broke child privacy law

The Justice Department on Friday sued TikTok and its China-based owner ByteDance, saying the popular video app had violated a children’s privacy law by collecting data on millions of Americans younger than 13.

Aug 2, 2024 3:20 PM CDT

5th Circuit rules against Black and Hispanic voters in redistricting case

A federal appeals court on Thursday made it harder for Black and Hispanic voters to form coalitions to elect the candidates they prefer in three southern states, overruling long-standing precedents. In a 12-6 decision, it ruled the language in Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and decisions from the Supreme Court do not require coalition districts.

Aug 2, 2024 9:36 AM CDT

South Carolina’s execution menu is not cruel and unusual, state supreme court says

The South Carolina Supreme Court has upheld a state law that gives death row inmates a choice of three execution methods: electrocution, firing squad or lethal injection.

Aug 1, 2024 3:05 PM CDT

5th Circuit avoids immigration-invasion argument in ruling for Texas in buoy barrier case

A Texas effort to deter illegal immigration with floating buoys in the Rio Grande River got a boost Tuesday, when a federal appeals court permitted the state to keep the 1,000-foot barrier in place during a legal challenge.

Aug 1, 2024 12:49 PM CDT