AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION 2024 ANNUAL MEETING UPDATE
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION 2024 ANNUAL MEETING UPDATE
ZACK PELHAM ABA State Delegate
I recently attended the American Bar Association ’ s ( ABA ) Annual Meeting in Chicago . Over the course of about a week , numerous continuing education presentations , leadership meetings , and events took place . The purpose of the annual meeting is to bring attorneys from across the country to address challenges facing the legal community . Attorneys from large firms in large cities collaborate with attorneys from small firms in small cities . The perspectives of lawyers , of course , varies . Bringing those varying perspectives together allows those attorneys attending to gain alternative perspectives on the practice of law . The annual meeting gives attendees needed “ exercise ” in considering all vantage points before taking next steps in their practice .
The ABA ’ s House of Delegates is the policymaking body of the ABA . It meets twice a year , at the ABA Midyear and Annual Meetings . The ABA works through the house of delegates to address issues facing the legal profession and the law . In that process , it drafts , debates , and votes on resolutions that establish policy for the ABA . There are about 600 delegates and every state is represented . of Delegates outlined that the ABA has “ to continually evolve to meet the needs of an ever-changing society .” The ABA is now led by President William R . Bay . Bay , a longtime leader in the ABA , is a litigator at a national law firm in St . Louis . He previously served as the chair of the House of Delegates . Bay conveyed a message to the house of delegates that “ a different approach ” is needed . He explained “[ t ] he data and facts are very clear . The rest of the world is changing . If our association is to endure and thrive , then we must change .” Indeed , Bay quipped that “[ s ] ometimes it feels like you need a decoder ring to understand our organization – we can do better .” He aims to “ provide access to what members want in the way they want it .” In the recent President ’ s Letter in the October / November issue of the ABA Journal , Bay explained the goal : “ We want to be a place where every member of our profession can belong .”
At the annual meeting , the House of Delegates debated and acted on more than 50 agenda items at its two-day meeting . Resolution 801 adopted the “ Statement of Principles to Preserve , Protect , and Defend the Constitution , the Rule of Law and American Democracy .” ABA Immediate Past President Smith ’ s task force implemented the resolution , and she explained the rationale : “ Lawyers are uniquely equipped to uphold the rule of law , rejuvenate judicial norms , and safeguard election integrity . Adopting this overarching Statement of Principles as policy send a powerful message of the ABA ’ s commitment and rededication to the fundamental principles underpinning our enduring democracy ….”
The House of Delegates adopted resolutions to urge Congress to repeal the Comstock Act of 1873 ( Resolution 504 ), to oppose nondisclosure or non-disparagement agreements related to employment discrimination settlements ( Resolution 508 ), to urge Congress to pass the Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act ( Resolution 516 ), and to urge state bar admission authorities to eliminate questions mandating disclosure or documentation of an applicant ’ s history as a victim of domestic violence , dating violence , sexual assault , sexual harassment , or stalking ( Resolution 800 ). A full list of resolutions acted on can be found on the ABA ’ s website , www . americanbar . org / groups / leadership / house _ of _ delegates / journal _ home . The House of Delegates reconvenes in Phoenix at the ABA Midyear meeting in February 2025 .
North Dakota holds an important place within the ABA . National , regional , and local connections within and through the ABA are available to all members . A vast array of resources are available on the ABA ’ s website , americanbar . org . Avail yourselves of these resources to improve the profession , improve your practice , and improve your community .
The annual meeting saw to a changing of the guard of the ABA President . President Mary Smith ’ s farewell address to the House
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