Making the global case for climate rule of law

In early 2017, after two years as deputy director of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative’s Beijing, China, office and four years managing ROLI’s programs in China, I relocated to…

Sep 5, 2019 4:41 PM CDT

ABA advances the rule of law to assure fairness, justice, and ultimately, our democracy

As lawyers, we see the rule of law as the promise that we live in a nation of laws that are justly and fairly enforced. These laws protect our freedom, rights and property from both government intrusion and the unlawful acts of others. The rule of law also requires that each of us, no matter whether elected official or private person in civil society, remains accountable under law so that justice will be done.

Sep 1, 2019 3:10 AM CDT

ABA urges Supreme Court to follow Miller standard for juvenile punishments

In an amicus brief filed Tuesday, the ABA urged the U.S. Supreme Court to recognize that juveniles’ “diminished culpability and greater prospects for reform” separate them from adults and that those whose crimes “reflect transient immaturity, rather than irreparable corruption” should not face life in prison.

Aug 28, 2019 12:55 PM CDT

‘We must not be an insular profession,’ says incoming ABA President Judy Perry Martinez

In her first speech after the gavel-passing ceremony, incoming ABA President Judy Perry Martinez shared a story with the ABA House of Delegates about speaking on behalf of the New Orleans Bar Association at a naturalization ceremony.

Aug 12, 2019 9:15 PM CDT

Are you an attorney who wants to get involved at the border? The ABA offers ways to do it

Jul 3, 2019 10:14 AM CDT

Few people seek legal solutions to their justice problems, worldwide survey finds

About half of people surveyed from around the world said they experienced a recent civil legal problem, but most did not turn to lawyers and courts.

The study by the…

Jun 27, 2019 12:01 PM CDT

Lawyers and judges are on the front lines of the peace process in Colombia

In 2016, after 50 years of armed conflict, the government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (known as FARC) signed a peace agreement. The centerpiece of that agreement was a transitional justice mechanism, established to ensure accountability for atrocities committed during the war. Three years later, it is facing unprecedented challenges in its effort to provide justice for the many civilian victims of the conflict. Lawyers, prosecutors and judges are on the front lines of efforts to provide reparations to the victims, with the long-standing support of the American Bar Association.

Jun 20, 2019 4:45 PM CDT

House passes bill that provides immigrant youths path to citizenship

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Tuesday that could provide a path to legal status and citizenship for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients and other young immigrants who…

Jun 6, 2019 12:06 PM CDT

16% of Americans think Clarence Thomas is chief justice, ABA civics survey finds

In a new survey, the ABA highlighted gaps in Americans’ knowledge of history and government as part of the ABA Survey of Civic Literacy 2019, the first comprehensive survey of its kind by the association. The results of the nationwide poll of 1,000 people were released Wednesday to mark Law Day, a national event established by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1958 to recognize the country’s commitment to the rule of law.

May 1, 2019 6:00 AM CDT