NORTH DAKOTA DELEGATION ATTENDS ABA DAY IN WASHINGTON , D . C .
NORTH DAKOTA DELEGATION ATTENDS ABA DAY IN WASHINGTON , D . C .
ZACK PELHAM ABA State Delegate
In early April , I traveled to Washington , D . C ., to participate in ABA Day 2024 . I was not alone . Lawyers from all 50 states attended this annual event held to advocate for issues of importance to the legal profession . SBAND Executive Director Tony Weiler and I spent time with senior staff members of Sen . John Hoeven and Sen . Kevin Cramer and met with Congressman Kelly Armstrong . Specifically , we visited with our congressional delegation on the importance of adequately funding the Legal Services Corporation and the Federal Public Defenders .
The Legal Services Corporation ( LSC ) was established in 1974 and is funded through congressional appropriations . It is headed by a bipartisan board of directors . It is the largest funder of civil legal aid for lowincome Americans . Legal Services of North Dakota ( LSND ) receives a sizable portion of its annual funding from LSC . LSND stands in the gap to help low-income and elderly North Dakotans facing any myriad of civil-related matters . Stressing adequate funding for LSC allows LSC to provide funding to LSND . The ABA is working to increase funding to LSC and that was a primary focus for ABA Day 2024 .
The Federal Public Defender for the
Districts of North Dakota and South Dakota provides representation to persons charged with federal criminal offenses who have been determined to be indigent and in need of representation in North Dakota and South Dakota . Funding for the Federal Public Defender is dependent on Congress . The ABA is advocating for increases in funding for 2025 . As a whole , the Defender Service Office is rebuilding after eight months of emergency budget measures and a funding shortfall for fiscal year 2024 . In 2024 , the Defender Service Office received $ 55 million less than requested and this was after an eight-month hiring freeze . The ABA is working to fully fund federal public defense for 2025 to avoid system delays , help address past funding shortfalls , and meet the rising need . The attorneys visiting congressional offices on ABA Day advocated for the necessary funding of the federal public defense , which includes our North Dakota office .
The ABA recognized one of our own at ABA Day 2024 . Armstrong , our lone Congressman , a lawyer , and product of the University of North Dakota School of Law , accepted the ABA ’ s Congressional Justice Award . The award recognizes “ leadership on issues critically important to the legal profession .” Specifically , Armstrong was recognized for his work on criminal justice reform bills , including legislation to reduce
Tony Weiler ( left ) and Zack Pelham ( right ) with North Dakota Congressman Kelly Armstrong , ABA ' s Congressional Justice Award recipient .
mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses and for funding to strengthen public defense systems at the state and federal level .
Talk is cheap , and there is plenty of talk in Washington , D . C . As we navigate our busy lives and practices , opportunity abounds for us to act to help those not as fortunate . Sure , personal decisions and choices have led to their troubles . Their choices and decisions , however , should not guide how we respond to our fellow man . Find a place in your community to advocate for those less fortunate , those poor decision makers , and those who cannot advocate for themselves . And for those already doing this : remain steadfast and true to your convictions , knowing you are not alone .
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