BOLTS* “ The Texas supreme court closed out 2023 by blocking an abortion during a medical emergency, forcing a woman to flee the state. Just days before Christmas, Wisconsin justices struck down the state’s GOP-drawn gerrymanders. So far this year, Montana’s supreme court has stepped in to protect voting rights, while a decision in Alabama threatened in vitro fertilization…
In August 2023, Mary Smith, President of the American Bar Association (ABA), announced the creation of the ABA Presidential Taskforce on Law and Artificial Intelligence to “bring together lawyers and judges from across the ABA to address the impact of AI on the legal profession and the practice of law.”…
Upcoming Webinar – Introduction to the Restorative Justice Laws Database Attendees will be introduced to the functionality of the database and how they can use it to learn more about examples of restorative justice policy from around the United States. A range of relevant policy features will be highlighted. August…
The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on Saturday was a dreadful and unspeakable event, marking a significant and alarming blow to America’s already tenuous grasp on democracy and the rule of law. Such an attack on an individual campaigning for the highest office in the nation is not…
Trump v. United States: No.23-939. Argued April 25, 2024-Decided July 1, 2024. The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that former President Donald J. Trump is entitled to substantial immunity from prosecution, delivering a major statement on the scope of presidential power. The vote was 6 to 3, dividing along partisan lines.…
On June I attended a CLE webinar, AI in Criminal Justice: Automated Decision-making Tools and Technology, From Policing to Corrections, sponsored by the Civil Rights and Social Justice Section of the American Bar Association. Below is a brief description of topics covered and a list of useful resources for those interested…
The recent high-profile trial of former president Donald Trump has reignited discussions on the role of jury instructions in shaping verdicts. This post is based in part on the following query we asked Gemini following the triaI: I need a broad discussion of jury instructions and charges to the jury…
This posting includes an excerpt from the Report on the Investigation Into Unauthorized Removal, Retention, and Disclosure of Classified Documents Discovered at Locations Including the Penn Biden Center and the Delaware Private Residence of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. prepared for the Attorney General of the United States by Special Counsel Robert K.…
Lawyer listservs are often used by attorneys and other professionals to help keep up with changes in the law. But they pose some potential for violating confidentiality model rules On May 8, the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility released formal opinion 511 which provides guidance for…
Election administrators and their staff, spread throughout thousands of voting jurisdictions in the United States, perform a core service dedicated to maintaining and preserving our democracy. Their work has become significantly more difficult, as our contentious politics have clouded much of what they do with misunderstanding and distrust. These challenges…