Welcome to the website of the Standing Committee on Federal Judicial Improvements.The Standing Committee is the only ABA entity dedicated entirely to the substantive issues affecting the federal judiciary. It serves a unique and vital role in developing policy for the Association on issues relating to the federal judiciary, as well as monitoring Congressional activity that affects the judicial branch. The composition of the Standing Committee provides for a broad representation of experience and viewpoints by bringing together federal judges, academics, and practicing attorneys.
The committee studies and makes recommendations for improving the federal judicial system, works to maintain an effective liaison with the federal judiciary and other appropriate governmental and non-governmental entities involved in judicial reform, and coordinates activities within the ABA relating to improvements in the federal judicial system.
The Standing Committee is housed within the American Bar Association's Justice Center.
Judge M. Margaret McKeown, Chair
Standing Committee on Federal Judicial Improvements
Mission
It is the mission of the Standing Committee on Federal Judicial Improvements to: (1) coordinate activities within the Association relating to improvements in the federal judicial system; (2) maintain effective liaison with other institutions working on judicial reform and with the federal judiciary and other appropriate government officials; and (3) study and make recommendations for improving the federal judicial system.
Committee Members
The Standing Committee consists of nine members (including one chair) appointed to serve three-year terms by the President of the American Bar Association. Click here to view a current roster of committee members.
Academic Advisory Board Members
The Standing Committee has recently established an Academic Advisory Board. Click here to view a current roster of its members.
ABA President H. Thomas Wells, Jr. shows support for the Department of Justice Decision Regarding Ineffective Assistance of Counsel for Immigrants.
The Standing Committee on Federal Judicial Improvements Resolution 118 was passed at the House of Delegates meeting at the 2008 ABA Annual Meeting in New York. Click here to read the Resolution Supporting Bipartisan Commissions to Recommend Candidates for Nomination to the Federal Bench.
Annual Meeting
July 30 - August 4, 2009
Chicago, IL
For more information on our 2009 Annual Meeting programs and events, click here.
CLE Presidential Showcase Program
Justice for Sale?
Contributions to Judicial Elections in the Wake of the Supreme Court's Decision in Caperton v. Massey
July 30, 2009
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Regency Ball Room B
Gold Level, West Tower
Click here for more information.
In 2008, the American Bar Association (ABA) launched an innovative pro bono immigration pilot project in San Diego, California pursuant to a seed grant from the ABA Enterprise Fund. The mission of the IJP is to promote due process and access to justice at all levels of the immigration and appellate court system, through the provision of high-quality pro bono legal services for those in immigration proceedings in San Diego. Partnering in the project are several ABA entities,* the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the federal courts, Georgetown University Law Center’s Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM), the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and the private bar. The IJP will serve both detained and non-detained individuals, and will recruit, train, and mentor volunteer attorneys and law students representing clients. Through funding from the EOIR, the IJP will also implement a Legal Orientation Program for adult immigration detainees. During the first two years of the project, a study will be conducted by ISIM to evaluate its impact on the immigration court and appellate process.
*ABA entity partners are: Standing Committee on Federal Judicial Improvements, Commission on Immigration, Section of Litigation, Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, Judicial Division
To learn more about IJP, please click here.
Read about the latest developments from the Standing Committee on Federal Judicial Improvments and the Standing Committee on Judicial Independence, in the new Courtly Currents newsletter.
Entities within the American Bar Association Justice
Center have a number of programs available for judges interested
in participating in outreach programs. These programs offer an opportunity
for judges and attorneys to go out to the community and discuss
the justice system, the role of judges and the importance of judicial
independence. Here are some helpful links:
Judges Outreach Network
National Issues Forum
Judicial
Independence Kit
Dialogue
on Freedom
Model Code of Judicial Conduct
2008 Edition
