Criminal Law Library BlogThe 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.
Articles Posted in News from Organizations
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.
Testimony on How CBO Supports Congress
From Congressional Budget Office (CBO):
CBO’s Budget Director, Philip Swagel, testified before the House Committee on the Budget, September 11, 2024.
Summary of Testimony:
Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2024, S. 3757
From the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)*.
As reported by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee on June 18, 2024.
Summary:
Bridging the Gap Between Law School and Legal Practice
An AALL/Bloomberg Partner Webinar.
November 19, 2025 at 1:00PM (CST).
“Participants will hear from research experts at Bloomberg Law as they present the survey findings and discuss how Bloomberg Law is equipping students with the necessary tools and knowledge for successful legal careers. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and learn how to better prepare law school students for the challenges of the legal profession.”
ABA Election Resources Help Defend and Promote Democracy
A posting by American Bar Association President, William R. Ray.
“Voting is a civic right and responsibility. Everyone eligible to vote should exercise that right. This is our opportunity to have a say in how our government operates. The American Bar Association encourages all to take advantage of this opportunity. ”
For a more generalized statement about elections and voting from federal government perspective, see the White House statement, Elections and Voting.
The Digitalist Papers: Artifical Intelligence and Democracy in America, An Overview
Following the introduction of Chat GPT3.5 to the public on November 30, 2022, there have been growing concerns about how the emerging AI revolution can be utilized to reimagine and , if necessary, reinvent new technologies capable of preserving our democracy– as we enter another technological, economic, and political crossroads in our society. Sharing these concerns, I have been searching the literature hoping to discover institutionally backed efforts dedicated to addressing them. Recently, I learned about the publishing by the Stanford Digital Lab of The Digital Papers: Artificial Intelligence in America, Volume 1 of a projected ongoing series. Learning of this publication, I immediately went to Amazon and ordered my own copy. The following is my Overview of this first volume:
In the late 18th century, the Federalist Papers emerged as a groundbreaking series of essays advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay—under the pseudonym “Publius”—articulated a vision for governance that reflected the challenges of their time: an unstable political landscape, shifting economic forces, and burgeoning democratic ideals. Fast forward to the 21st century, the world again finds itself at the intersection of disruptive change where the political, economic, and technological forces at play call for a similar intellectual effort to chart a way forward.
The Digitalist Papers: Artificial Intelligence and Democracy in America takes inspiration from the spirit of the Federalist Papers, yet it aims to address an even more complex landscape. The technological revolution now driven by artificial intelligence (AI) offers immense potential to reshape every aspect of human life—from how we communicate to how we govern ourselves. As Hamilton, Madison, and Jay once grappled with how to mold governance to fit the emerging United States, today’s thought leaders must confront the challenge of integrating AI into existing democratic institutions. This is the goal of the Digitalist Papers series: to explore the possibilities of AI’s impact on democracy and to consider how governance structures must evolve to preserve and enhance democratic values in this era of unprecedented technological change.
National Town Hall on Scams and Older Adults
Important announcement for seniors:
| Older adults, families, and professionals who work with older adults are invited to register for an action-oriented National Town Hall on scams and older adults on Wednesday, October 30, 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET. Presented jointly by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), AARP, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), this online event will feature:
The event will feature these national leaders:
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