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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