beginning, it provided an opportunity to become involved in various activities that I don’ t think I would have ever done. At the time, I didn’ t really appreciate all the American Bar Association does. Not just for lawyers, but for society as a whole. The ABA provides value in so many different ways to lawyers who are not even members.
We provide so many pro bono services. People are really interested in some of the more challenging issues that they are faced with, but there is not just a single set of issues. We can really be advocates for a lot of people. All the things like CLEs and what the ABA advocates for – things a lot of people don’ t even know we are advocating for. We have the Rule of Law Initiative and promote human rights around the world. The fact that we have the opportunity to vet judges. We have been heard on this since 1955. The Congress looks to the ABA for this. The ABA is the only organization that is able to accredit law schools. All of those things to me are really important and that’ s why everybody should be a member of the ABA. Also, along the way, I have met some fabulous friends. That is a real honor for me. Obviously, I would not have had the opportunity to be president of the ABA and had the extraordinary time that I am having now; getting around to all of the states in the country, meeting people who have so many different perspectives, who live in so many different ways and getting to hear of their experiences. It has really benefitted me.
Q: What can the ABA offer lawyers practicing in rural America?
President Brown: There are a number of things that we already offer. For example, the GP Solo Section has a number of different things that they do. I think that some of this came along as a result of the Futures Commission that brought some of those issues to light more than they had been. The fact of how we partner with Legal Services Corporation. I am not trying to take any credit, because they have been given some grants to do some innovative and technological things so that we can reach more people in rural areas. Microsoft gave Legal Services Corporation one million dollars to establish a portal, so that people who need legal services in rural areas can get them. I know that North Carolina Central Law School has programs that rural lawyers and others can utilize. Because they are connected to so many rural areas, they have lawyers and judges who come to the schools and they connect through technology to people who live in the rural areas. In addition to all of those other things that GP Solo has to offer online, they have a forms library, a resource center that offers practice management advice, and a“ solosez” email discussion.
All of us are really concerned about the shortage of lawyers across rural America, including in North Dakota. We understand and appreciate the unique problem that you have in the oil patch. It is a challenging subject and is something that we are actively looking at more than we ever have before.
People in North Dakota and Kentucky, and other areas where they have a crisis in the rural areas, are bringing it to our attention so that more can be done about it.
Q: What took the ABA so long to have a woman of color as its President?
President Brown: You really think I can answer that question? I can’ t speak to that. My only hope is that they will understand that all kinds of people are capable of being leaders. I already know that I won’ t be a one-hit wonder. I hope other people will be encouraged to seek higher office and to become leaders in their association.
Q: What has been the greatest improvement in the practice of law since you became a lawyer?
President Brown: I think that the use of technology has been a help. It has been able to connect people, especially as the world has become more globally connected. I think that technology has made a tremendous impact in how we practice law and in improving our delivery of the same. I still remember the first fax machine.
Q: I suspect the first fax machine had a roller paper where if you set it out in the sun it would all turn black?
President Brown: Yes. And, if you rubbed it, the words would come off.
ABA President Brown
Q: What is the greatest challenge facing the practicing bar in America today?
President Brown: I think that one of the remaining challenges is still the lack of diversity in our profession. Although I will always claim that we have the greatest profession in the world, we should not be saying that 88 percent of all lawyers in America are white. We have the least diverse profession of all other professions. You know when I tell people that we are less diverse than architects, surgeons, and engineers, they cannot believe it. It shouldn’ t be this way because we should be more representative of the society in which we live. All studies indicate that when you have a diversity of thought and opinion on any issue you get a much better resolution.
Q: What is the ABA doing to help solve the problem?
President Brown: Some sections and entities within the ABA have already started doing things on their own; they have significant outreach initiatives. One of the things that I took upon myself is to create a Diversity and Inclusion 360 Commission that is examining all aspects of diversity and inclusion. It is a one-year Commission. But we hope to have a system in place so that we can move forward continuously, as opposed to stopping once my term is over. For example, we want people to know more about implicit bias and how
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