THE LIGHTS AND LAWYERS
ON BROADWAY
Washington State and Hawaii put forward
a resolution opposing a restructuring of the
United States Court of Appeals for the 9th
Circuit. Instead, the resolution encourages
federal courts to utilize technological and
procedural innovations to handle caseloads
while maintaining coherent, consistent law in
respective jurisdictions.
Resolution 110 – IOLTA Reporting to be
Captured in Licensure Renewals
D A N T R AY N O R
ABA Delegate
The 2017 Annual Meeting of the American
Bar Association (ABA) was held in New
York City. Several North Dakota lawyers
took the opportunity to see some of the
hottest shows on Broadway or tour other
historic or memorable sites in the city.
Large law firms from around the city hosted
various ABA business meetings, CLEs, and
socials. It was quite an experience for flat-
landers to attend a meeting in an upper-level
conference room with a spectacular view of
one of the world’s greatest cities. Toward the
end of the meeting, the House of Delegates
considered a lengthy two-day agenda.
Resolution 102A, 102B & 102C –
Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
The Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
forwarded a diverse selection of resolutions.
Resolution 102A sought to prohibit some
arbitration agreements in private student
loan contracts. Resolution 102B encouraged
the adoption of laws to promote the effective,
efficient, and humane management of cats.
Resolution 102C supports the common-
interest doctrine, under which the sharing
of privileged communications with persons
of common interest who have agreed to
maintain confidentiality does not waive
privilege.
Resolution 104 –
Restructuring of the 9th Circuit
Several ABA sections and the state bars of
32
THE GAVEL
The black letter of Rule 7 (Roster of
Lawyers) of the ABA Model Rules for
Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement is
amended to expand the type of information
that lawyers provide and disciplinary agencies
can access as part of the annual licensing
registration process to include business
emails and IOLTA financial information,
including the lawyer responsible and any
individual to whom the lawyer delegates
bookkeeping duties.
Resolution 113 –
Alternatives to Formal Guardianships
Disability rights and property sections
propose legislatures amend guardianship
statutes to require supported decision-
making be identified and fully considered
as a less restrictive alternative before
guardianship is imposed. This may involve
the appointment of a trusted friend or family
member to support a disabled person in
making their own decisions.
Resolution 116 –
Courtroom Experience for Young Lawyers
The ABA’s Judicial Division lends their
support to plans that welcome opportunities
for new lawyers to gain meaningful
courtroom experience. The American
Association of Justice and the Defense
Research Institute have supported similar
efforts to protect the vanishing civil jury trial.
Resolutions 117A, 117B & 117C –
Support for Public Education
The Commission on the Lawyer’s Role
in Assuring Every Child’s Right to a
High-Quality Education offers three
resolutions meant to improve public
education. Resolution 117A encourages
equal access to elementary and secondary
schools funded at levels adequate to ensure
a high-quality education. Resolution 117B
encourages curricula designed to instill
civic responsibility in elections and voting.
Resolution 117C endorses Blueprints for
Change provisions involving the education
of children in foster care or in the juvenile
justice system.
Resolutions 118A & 118B –
Support for Gun Control Measures
The Standing Committee on Gun Violence
offers two resolutions to expand gun control
to prohibit possession by those convicted of
misdemeanor crimes relating to “actual or
perceived” hate or bias of protected classes.
The same committee supports allowing courts
to issue protective orders meant to prevent
gun violence.
ABA Blueprint Offers Savings
for Members
At SBAND’s annual meeting in Fargo, ABA
President Linda Klein highlighted ABA
Blueprint. The idea was conceived as a result
of President Klein’s listening tour that began
in Fargo two years ago. The Blueprint website
allows ABA members to easily find products
and services your law firm needs, including:
• Discounts on products and services;
• Access to free practice management
consultations to help you make the right
choices;
• Discovery solutions based on your firm’s
goals using the Tailored Solutions tool;
and
• Ability to save solutions to your Blueprint
account so you don’t lose your research.
The goal of ABA Blueprint is to add value
to your ABA membership. With access to
the special features, including free practice
management consultations and discounts on
products and services, ABA members can
more than cover their annual membership
dues through Blueprint savings. More
information is available at
www.abablueprint.com.