Criminal Law Library BlogFrom the Senior Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association:
National Town Hall on Scams and Older Adults
Watch an update on scams targeting elders sponsored by CFPB, FDIC and AARP.
Articles Posted in News from Organizations
News Briefs and Summaries from the NJSBA, January 2, 2025
These News Briefs and Decision Summaries are from the the New Jersey State Bar Association. They are an exclusive benefit of the Association in partnership with the New Jersey Law Journal. A subscription may be necessary to access the full text of some of the items listed:
NEWS BRIEFS:
Battles Won, Others Abandoned: 2024 Brought Big Change to the Judiciary
ABA: 2024 A Year of Accomplishments, 2025 A New Year of Challenges
A special message from American Bar Association President William R. Bay:
“Our country is turning 249 years old in 2025, and the American Bar Association has been part of it for 147 years. Throughout that time, we have seen many changes as we strive to be a stronger nation and association.
The ABA has a wonderful tradition and history, but we are grateful that we are an association and profession that has embraced change. Unlike when the ABA was founded, we now welcome all who wish to become part of the profession. One thing has not changed. The ABA is committed to the rule of law and the cause of justice. This remains our goal tomorrow and for 100 years from tomorrow. As ABA president, I have emphasized the challenges we face as a profession and reiterated that the biggest challenge is the challenge of change. But change will not alter our core values and beliefs. Instead, it will allow us to extend our reach.
News Briefs and Decisions Summaries from NJSBA, December 30, 2024
These News Briefs and Decision Summaries are from the the New Jersey State Bar Association. They are an exclusive benefit of the Association in partnership with the New Jersey Law Journal. A subscription may be necessary to access the full text of some of the items listed:
NEWS BRIEFS:
Will 2025 Bring a Change to Lawyers’ Mandatory Pro Bono Duties Under ‘Madden’?
Outcome Litigation Predictions: Theo AI
Theo AI, a cutting-edge generative AI (genAI) startup based in the United States, has positioned itself as the first predictive AI platform designed specifically for litigation. Backed by an impressive $2.2 million in pre-seed funding, the company aims to achieve what no other legal tech firm has successfully accomplished: accurately predicting the outcomes of legal disputes well before their resolution.
The concept of AI-driven litigation prediction is not entirely new—Artificial Lawyer has been reporting on similar applications since 2016. However, Theo AI’s innovative use of genAI technology marks a significant departure from earlier approaches, potentially setting a new benchmark in the field of legal technology.
From Artificial Lawyer November 2024:
2024 SSRN End of Year Message
A message from Shirley Decker-Lucke, Managing Director of Social Science Research Network (SSRN):
Dear SSRN community,
As the year draws to a close, I wanted to share with you some of the work we’ve done in 2024 to improve the experience for authors and researchers at SSRN.
Congratulations to the 2025 Alexander Awards Recipients
The American Bar Association Council for Diversity in the Educational is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2025 Raymond Pace and Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Awards for Excellence in Pipeline Diversity. These awards honor the legacy of Raymond Pace Alexander, the first African American graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a trailblazing judge, and Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander, the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in the United States and the first woman to receive a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Human Rights Day: Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now!
A webinar presented by the International Human Rights Committee of the International Law Section of the American Bar Association on December 10, 2024 at 12:–pm ET. This presentation is in observance of the 76th anniversary of Human Rights Day.
| “ABA International Law Section leaders will discuss urgent human rights issues around the world, including the plight of Rohingya refugees, crimes against humanity in Sudan, abuses against women in different parts of the world, the situation of human rights defenders, and work to advance the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in the United States. Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on the tenth day December. It commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The formal inception of Human Rights Day dates from 1950, after the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V) inviting all States and interested organizations to adopt December tenth of each year as Human Rights Day. Moderator: Kerry McLean, Director, Human Rights and Public International Law, Columbia Law School; Committee Co-Chair, International Human Rights Committee, International Law Section. Speakers:” Daniel L. Appelman, Senior Advisor, International Human Rights Committee, International Law Section. Elizabeth Barad, International Human Rights Lawyer; Committee Co-Chair, Africa Committee, International Law Section. Regina Paulose, International Criminal Law Lawyer; Committee Co-Chair, International Criminal Law Committee, International Law Section. The Honorable Delissa Ridgway, US Court of International Trade; Senior Advisor, Women’s Interest Network and Middle East Committee, International Law Section. Sara Sandford, Mediator/Attorney, Benchmark International ADR, LLC; Senior Advisor, International Human Rights Committee, International Law Section. Elizabeth M. Zechenter, International Law Attorney, Social Scientist; Committee Co-Chair, International Human Rights Committee.This webinar observance is free and open to all. |
| REGISTER HERE ⟶ |
Judicial Ethics on Trial: Exploring the Supreme Court’s New Ethics Code and Legislative Proposals
INTRODUCTION
In recent years, the integrity of the U.S. Supreme Court has faced increasing scrutiny amid reports of unreported financial dealings and alleged ethical lapses by some of its justices. In response, the Court issued its first-ever formal ethics code on November 13, 2023, marking a historic shift toward greater transparency. However, this self-imposed code relies on internal enforcement, leaving critics to question its effectiveness and it’s ability to compare it to more robust measures proposed in Congress. Legislative efforts, such as the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2023 and the Supreme Court Ethics and Investigation Act of 2024 underscore a growing demand for external oversight and standardized accountability.
This article explores the intersection of these developments, examining whether the Court’s new ethics code sufficiently addresses public concerns or if legislative interventions remain necessary to restore trust in the nation’s highest judicial body. By tracing the origins, goals, and limitations of these initiatives, we aim to provide an overview of the ongoing debate over judicial ethics and reform. *
Akhil Amar on the Courts and the Constitution 2024
A New Jersey Institute of Legal Education (NJICLE) event sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Association.
Date: December 19, 2024, 9:00AM – 12:00PM.
Location: New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick and Online.