Job Description
National Office of Delegate to the ABA House of Delegates
The ABA House of Delegates has the ultimate responsibility for establishing Association policy both as to the administration of the Association and its positions on professional and public issues. Delegates to the House of Delegates are responsible for attending each meeting of the House, participating fully in its proceedings, and discharging the responsibilities of the House. Additionally, it is the responsibility of each delegate to keep his/her constituency fully apprised of actions taken by the House and, to the extent possible, matters pending before the House, and to assist constituent entities in presenting issues of concern for debate and action taken by the House.
Each Section/Division is entitled to at least one delegate in the House. Sections/Divisions are entitled to additional delegates on a formula applied to the number of members and International Associates in the Section. The Law Student Division has three delegates. With the exception of the Law Student Division Delegates who serve one-year terms, each Division Delegate's term is three years. Section/Division Delegates are appointed in accordance with the respective Section/Division's Bylaws.
Division Delegate responsibilities include:
- Attend and represent the Division to the ABA House of Delegates sessions at the Midyear and Annual Meetings. Vote as a member of the ABA House of Delegates
- Advocate Division positions to other ABA entities.
- Work for ABA House of Delegates adoption of Division resolutions, co-sponsored resolutions, and resolutions directly affecting law students filed with the House.
- Inform the national officers and circuit governors of actions pending before the House, as well as action taken by the House, at the conclusion of the Midyear and Annual meetings.
- Communicate regularly with Division officers, circuit governors, ABA Representatives, SBA Presidents, and liaisons in order to serve as the voice of law students on issues of concern to law students across the country.
- Prepare and submit comprehensive reports on Association, Division and ABA House of Delegates activity and action. (6 reports annually).
- Serve as the primary contacts and coordinators to the 65+ Law Student Division Liaisons to other ABA entities.
- Work in cooperation with Chair to update Liaison Handbook; prepare materials and participate in Liaison Training Session at the Annual Meeting.
- Work with the Chair to execute the Division's legislative agenda.
- Maintain a webpage on the Division's website devoted to updating the membership regarding legislation on Capitol Hill and within the ABA on issues relevant to law students.
- Prepare materials, attend and participate in the Division's annual lobbying delegation to Congress related to current ABA policy, and other appropriate lobbying efforts relevant to law students.
- Work with the national officers and circuit governors on the Division's Board of Governors. Attend Division Board of Governors meetings (October, March, and August) and report on their activities, soliciting governors' views of matters pending in the House of Delegates.
- Serve on the Division's Resolutions committee.
- Serve as proctors of the circuit governor elections each spring.
- Attend the ABA Section Officers Conference (SOC) in September to receive delegate training and attend other sessions.
- Travel and attend meetings on behalf of the Division (6-8 times annually). Most travel-related expenses are reimbursed by the Division subject to Division guidelines.
- Time commitment: 20-30 hours monthly.
You must read the the Nomination Procedures carefully and
agree to the Code of Election Regulations before proceeding to the Nomination Form


