States

Kansas nears ‘constitutional crisis’ because of attorney shortage, justice says

A shortage of lawyers in rural Kansas is straining the court system and requiring judges to look outside the community to find lawyers to represent parties entitled to a court-appointed lawyer, according to Kansas Supreme Court Justice Keynen "K.J." Wall Jr., who chaired a committee examining the problem.

Dec 23, 2024 3:50 PM CST

New Jersey bar can reserve positions for members of underrepresented groups, appeals court says

The New Jersey State Bar Association has a First Amendment right to expressive association that would be violated if forced to change a diversity program for leadership positions, a state appeals court has ruled.

Dec 23, 2024 2:22 PM CST

Judge resigns after this alleged response to uninvited party guests

A New York judge has agreed to resign and never against seek judicial office after she was accused of engaging “in a racially offensive, profane, prolonged public diatribe” stemming from a graduation party fight in which her son was injured.

Dec 23, 2024 11:20 AM CST

Our favorite Instagram posts from 2024

It's been another riveting year in the legal industry and for our coverage at the ABA Journal. And like clockwork, 2025 will be here before we know it.

Dec 23, 2024 10:34 AM CST

SCOTUS will decide whether Medicaid beneficiaries can sue over state’s defunding of Planned Parenthood

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to consider whether Medicaid beneficiaries can sue over South Carolina’s decision to defund Planned Parenthood.

Dec 23, 2024 9:23 AM CST

5 biggest changes to the bar exam in 2024

This year was a key moment for the bar exam, with changes to the exam and paths to licensure taking place around the country. Here are the top five that caught our attention.

Dec 20, 2024 9:13 AM CST

5th Circuit judge’s remarks spur talk of Supreme Court audition

Public remarks by a conservative federal appeals judge have “rekindled talk of a possible audition for the Supreme Court," according to a story by Bloomberg Law.

Dec 19, 2024 3:35 PM CST

Does judge’s reference to ‘little Chinese woman’ show bias? Appellate concurrence sees ‘pure stereotyping’

A California judge who said he was almost amused when a “little Chinese woman” stared him down did not rule against her based on ethnic bias, but his comment was “pure stereotyping,” according to two concurring judges in an appellate opinion.

Dec 19, 2024 1:42 PM CST

Fani Willis disqualified from Trump election case by Georgia appellate court

A Georgia appellate court overturned a judge’s ruling allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis to remain in charge of the criminal racketeering case against Donald Trump—a decision that could doom the high-profile prosecution.

Dec 19, 2024 9:38 AM CST

In ‘monumental moment,’ Montana Supreme Court rules for youths claiming right to clean environment

The Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down a state law banning consideration of greenhouse gas emissions in fossil-fuel-permitting decisions, citing a state constitutional provision that guarantees a “clean and healthful environment.”

Dec 19, 2024 9:01 AM CST

Federal judge offers ‘unreserved apology’ after order says his Alito criticism violated ethics rules

Senior U.S. District Judge Michael A. Ponsor of the District of Massachusetts is offering an “unreserved apology” and a commitment to “scrupulously avoid” future transgressions after he was found to have violated the judicial code of ethics for criticizing U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in an op-ed in the New York Times.

Dec 18, 2024 12:09 PM CST

NRA must hire court-approved compliance consultant, says judgment in New York’s civil suit

A civil lawsuit that sought the dissolution of the National Rifle Association has ended with a final judgment that reforms the group’s governance and requires court approval of deals to resolve a $5.4 million judgment against former CEO Wayne LaPierre.

Dec 17, 2024 12:11 PM CST

When judges turn to Christmas movies for help

’Tis the season for the staple of classic Christmas movies. They leave lasting memories for everyone—and for some judges, that includes calling them back for assistance when deciding cases.

Dec 17, 2024 11:31 AM CST

Party at federal judge’s home involved ‘significant underage drinking,’ leading to fight and plaintiff’s injuries, suit says

Updated: A federal judge who oversaw one of the criminal cases against Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, is facing a lawsuit alleging that two “heavily intoxicated underage minors” got into a fight in front of the judge’s home during a party there that involved "significant underage drinking," leading to significant injuries for the plaintiff.

Dec 17, 2024 8:46 AM CST

Judge faces wiretap charge for allegedly recording judicial deliberations; his lawyer says it was ‘self-protection’

A Maryland judge has been indicted for allegedly recording himself and two other judges during confidential deliberations without the others judges' knowledge or consent.

Dec 16, 2024 3:11 PM CST