Q&A with Laurel Bellows,
Chair, House of Delegates
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| Laurel Bellows |
YourABA recently spoke with ABA House of Delegates Chair Laurel Bellows to learn her thoughts about the House, which is the policy-making body of the association, and her role as its leader.
How does the House of Delegates fit into the governing structure of the ABA?
The House of Delegates is the principal place where the association makes policy and sets the goals for the association. It is where representatives of all the constituent parts of the ABA, state and local bars and affiliated organizations come together to debate and consider professional and public policy matters in order to develop and express an association point of view. The House considers issues that are brought there because constituent groups or individual association members have sought House consideration and action. The House also elects ABA officers and members of the Board of Governors. The Board of Governors oversees management of the association, and can act for the House of Delegates between regularly scheduled House meetings. The officers carry out association policy and the association’s staff implements the programs and activities approved by the House of Delegates and the Board of Governors.
What is the significance of the House of Delegates to ABA members?
Because the ABA House of Delegates is the policy-making body of the association, it is the center for dialogue and debate among ABA members and delegates representing organizations with varying perspectives from every area of legal practice and every jurisdiction in the country. The House provides an opportunity for lawyers from across the United States with varying points of view to air their thoughts and opinions regarding the policies of the association. Association members who are not delegates also have the right to submit proposals for association policy and speak on behalf of those proposals when the House convenes.
Policies approved by the House impact the entire association. These policies become the basis for determining association priorities, and the foundation upon which the association lobbies Congress, writes letters to federal agencies and partners with other bar associations.
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Who belongs to the House?
The House is comprised of about 550 members representing all aspects of the legal profession. The House brings together members from state and local bar associations across the United States, and beyond, with delegates coming from the 50 states, and from the Virgin Islands, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
In addition, members represent the various sections and divisions of the ABA, including judges as well as lawyers in fields of practice and study from solo firms to large litigation firms, to those practicing labor and employment to intellectual property law and other disciplines. The attorney general of the United States is an ex officio member of the association, as is the director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
How did you become Chair of the House?
My name was submitted to the ABA House of Delegates by its Nominating Committee. Candidates for Chair of the House, like candidates for other ABA offices, have two opportunities to present to the committee their credentials and goals in seeking office. The House as a whole elects the officers, including the Chair.
What issues are debated in the House?
There is a prescribed procedure for filing written recommendations with the ABA Committee on Rules and Calendar. Over the past year, the House took positions on the following matters: presidential signing statements, services for children of deployed service members and coercion of lawyers to drop unpopular clients by threatening a boycott by other clients.
At our Annual Meeting, we will be considering recommendations involving: mandatory aged-based retirement policies for lawyers, support services for young people who age out of foster care and proposed rule of law principles to preserve the rule of law in times of catastrophe to help ensure that justice will continue to be dispensed despite the damage and disruption caused by catastrophic events.
Most recommendations that are discussed in the House are brought by an ABA member group, such as a division or section, forum or committee, or by a state, local or specialty bar association. But recommendations can be brought by any association member who chooses to do so, and he or she may personally attend a meeting of the House to formally propose the policy.
There is some argument that the ABA, and the policy recommendations it adopts, demonstrate a political bent. Would you care to comment?
When I hear people voice that view, I suggest a visit to the House of Delegates when it is in session. After someone observes a meeting of the House, it is much harder to hold that view. Having observed our process and focused on the diverse geographical and political background of the delegates that comprise our House, it is difficult to believe that policy is adopted with a political bias. The House—like the ABA—has a diverse membership that takes a non-partisan approach to proposed recommendations. In fact, I would encourage all ABA members to sit in on the debate of the House. It's an amazing experience to see members from around the country, from so many different working environments and with so many different experiences, come together to address the key legal issues of the day.
The House provides the opportunity for all members to weigh in and to make their views known in a process that is the essence of democracy in action.
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What happens to policies once they are adopted by the House?
Once the House adopts a policy, the ABA works to disseminate that policy as widely as possible. Our implementation strategy depends to a great extent on what the policy concerns. In some cases, the policy becomes the basis for testimony before a Congressional committee or government agency. It may provide the foundation for an amicus curiae brief or it may allow us to work in partnership with state and local bar associations. Increasingly, we also work with bar associations of other countries with whom we share hopes and goals. The mission of the new Resolution and Impact Review Committee of the House of Delegates is to review the dissemination, use, implementation and impact of passed resolutions.
You are serving a two-year term, with the Midyear Meeting in Miami having been your first time chairing the House. What most impressed you about the House and presiding over debate?
Seated with a view of the entire House, I was overwhelmed by the passion of ABA members, the thoughtfulness of their analysis and consideration and the importance of the decisions the House makes. The House is the forum where members can weigh in on hot issues—issues that have an impact on each of us every day—not just lawyers, but every American and even beyond to citizens of other nations. I was thrilled with the privilege of working with the country’s most articulate spokespeople.
What advice do you have for a young lawyer who would like to assume a significant leadership role with the ABA?
I would encourage any lawyer to get involved—join a section or a division, offer your participation on committees, and work through the state or local bar association or specialty bar to contribute your energy and expertise. There are so many opportunities within the ABA to make a difference and have an impact, and your contributions can help make our profession stronger, our legal system better and our communities and nation better serve everyone. The ABA motto, "Defending Liberty, Pursuing Justice," reflects all of us working together to offer the best that lawyers can contribute and achieve the best that our nation and our communities need.
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