Lively debate on mission and goals of the ABA during House of Delegates meeting

The ABA mission and goals were the source of lively debate during the House of Delegates’ policy-making session at the 2008 Annual Meeting in New York.

The ABA Long Range Planning Committee’s recommendation 121 proposed changes to the association’s mission statement. After revisions, the mission reads, “To serve equally our members, our profession and the public by defending liberty and delivering justice as the national representative of the legal profession.”

Additionally, the former nine goals were narrowed in number to four: Goal I: Serve Our Members; II: Improve Our Profession; III: Eliminate Bias and Enhance Diversity; and IV: Advance the Rule of Law.

An amendment offered by past-ABA President Michael Greco called for changing the order of the first and fourth goal. Proponents of the amendment argued that rule of law was the overarching goal of the association.  As delegate Mark Agrast stated, “Our members are our heart; the rule of law is our soul.”   

Opponents of the Greco amendment stressed that without its members, the association is unable to strengthen the rule of law.  Delegate Scotty Welch said that if “we’re to accomplish other things, we must first make this association relevant to those who aren’t members.”  The Greco amendment was narrowly defeated by a vote of 214-201.

Following the debate on the amendment, the recommendation was adopted as it had earlier been revised to emphasize that the goals of serving the profession, members and the public are of equal importance.

The new mission and goals may be found here.

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