ABA MID-YEAR MEETING
ABA MID-YEAR MEETING
ZACK PELHAM ABA State Delegate
The American Bar Association( ABA) is working to engage members of the bar and citizens as to current issues facing the legal profession. The ABA fulfills this mission, in part, by holding a mid-year meeting. In February, I attended the mid-year meeting held in San Antonio. This article provides an update on what is happening in the ABA.
North Dakota’ s delegation to the ABA House of Delegates is made up of our ABA State Delegate( Judge Daniel Traynor), SBAND ABA Delegate( myself), and a Young Lawyer Division Delegate( Logan Caldwell). This gathering brought together nearly 600 delegates representing ABA entities, state, local, and specialty bar associations, as well as other legal professionals, to review and discuss issues affecting the legal profession. This meeting highlighted the ABA’ s commitment to advocating for the rule of law.
The House of Delegates took up a wide range of resolutions from the various sections and divisions within the ABA. There was a focus on judicial independence and safety, with one resolution calling out threats and acts of violence, harassment, and intimidation directed at federal, state, local, and tribal judges, court personnel, and their families, and seeking bar associations to promote public understanding of the role and independence of the judiciary. The resolution specifically called on all members of the legal profession to limit their rhetoric to the extent it could be construed as inciting violence or threats against the judiciary, calling on those who disagree to seek resolution through the appellate process.
This is an area I think we can all address. Even if it is reminding clients the judge is trying to decipher complex legal claims and issues. Then reminding our clients that appealing a decision is not uncommon and is the appropriate response to an adverse decision.
The House of Delegates passed policies addressing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, specifically urging for the resumption of student loan forgiveness applications and repayment plan change requests for eligible government employment. The House of Delegates passed resolutions reinforcing the ABA’ s commitment to encouraging free, open,
A photo from the floor of the ABA House of Delegate’ s Mid-Year Meeting in San Antonio of, from left to right, Young Lawyer Division Delegate Logan Caldwell, ABA State Delegate Judge Daniel Traynor, and SBAND ABA Delegate Zack Pelham. and civil discourse and debate on legal and policy issues among ABA members, urging governmental officials to prevent and mitigate the dangers of deepfake and generative artificial intelligence, and urging the National Conference of Bar Examiners to include trust and estate law on the NextGen bar exam. The ABA does track the implementation of resolutions that pass the House of Delegates. While opinions differed on almost every resolution, the procedure in place allowed for civil and professional discussion on important issues facing the profession.
ABA leaders, including president Michelle A. Behnke and president-elect Barbara J. Howard, addressed the House of Delegates. President Behnke emphasized the ABA’ s role in shaping the future of the legal profession and addressing challenges facing society. She highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation, and resilience in achieving these goals. President-elect Howard noted the historic milestone that will occur in 2026: the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country. She called on legal professionals to honor this legacy by re-committing to the principles of justice, equality, and the rule of law.
As the ABA prepares for its next House of Delegates meeting during the annual meeting in Chicago in August, the ABA is focused on its mission to serve the legal profession and the public. The ABA offers numerous opportunities for lawyers of all practices to gain legal knowledge, participate in formulating changes in the practice of law, and as a professional network. Much of this is available on the ABA’ s website, www. americanbar. org. The ABA’ s commitment to advancing the interests of legal professionals continues. While there are varying opinions on varying issues, there are ample opportunities within the ABA to voice your opinion.
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