On On August 8, 2019, the American Bar Association (“ABA”) held its annual meeting, during which the ABA House of Delegates met with an outlook of nearly 60 resolutions to be decided upon. After two days of deliberation, which included revising and amending the proposed resolutions, 50 were adopted.
The approved resolutions ranged in topics, from recommendations for online legal document providers, to urging Congress to amend the Controlled Substance Act to allow for cannabis use and research without criminal sanctions.
The ABA has highlighted the six resolutions passed regarding immigration law. These resolutions concentrate on enforcement of immigration law, immigration court procedures, judicial review of immigration decisions, and restructuring the immigration adjudication system. The ABA noted that the current adjudication system creates an inherent conflict of interest because the attorney general has the power to prosecute and adjudicate immigration cases.
Also notable are the adopted resolutions on cannabis, free speech on campus, and gender-equity, including pay discrimination, amongst lawyers. The resolutions that passed show the ABA’s important role as an influencer – not the Instagram kind, the political one – in the United States.
If you want to see some of the other resolutions considered or passed, as well as more detail about them click here. Watching the resolutions the ABA passes each year is a great way to stay on top of the industry and you can always stay updated here and on the ABA’s news feed.
