ABA adopts new policy on mandatory retirement and encourages law student volunteers

ABA President William H. Neukom and immediate past ABA President Karen J. Mathis present U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, a known baseball fan, with two baseballs, one signed by Hank Aaron and the other signed by Barry Bonds.  Laurel Bellows, chair, House of Delegates, looks on.

The ABA House of Delegates, the association's policy-making body – consisting of some 550 members from state and local bar associations across the country as well as from ABA affiliates – met August 13 and 14 to consider policy recommendations.

The House adopted recommendations that called for law firms to discontinue mandatory age-retirement policies and replace them with individual evaluations of senior partners; encouraged law schools to help provide opportunities for law students to participate in law-related volunteer service programs; and encouraged law practice contingency planning. Contingency planning calls for designating another lawyer who is willing and able to assume another lawyer's practice should the first lawyer have any physical or mental disability that impairs his or her ability to practice law.

The House also addressed the issue of torture and detainees, urging that those detained are treated in a manner consistent with the U.S. Army Field Manual; adopted policy supporting procedures whereby civil cases are not dismissed solely on the state secrets privilege; and urged the appointment, retention and replacement of U.S. Attorneys so that they are able to exercise their professional judgment and discretion insulated from improper partisan political considerations.

The House also adopted a resolution in response to the recent Supreme Court decision in the Ledbetter pay discrimination case, urging Congress to ensure that in claims involving discrimination in compensation, “the statute of limitations runs from each payment reflecting the claimed unlawful disparity.” Additional policy adopted by the House may be found at www.abanet.org/leadership/2007/annual/.

During the Annual Meeting, members of the House also witnessed the presentation of the ABA Medal to Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy by immediate past ABA President Karen J. Mathis. In addition to the ABA Medal, Mathis presented Justice Kennedy, a known baseball fan, with a baseball signed by Hank Aaron, and ABA President William H. Neukom presented Justice Kennedy with a baseball signed by Barry Bonds.

In addition members of the House heard remarks by Mathis and Neukom and from ABA Executive Director Hank White.

If you were unable to attend the Annual Meeting, please visit www.abavideonews.org/ABA435 to view significant portions of the meeting online.

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