The American Bar Association urges a review of practice directive NO.4/2011 in Swaziland, which prohibits both direct and indirect civil lawsuits against the king. In addition, the ABA urges that Judge Thomas Masuku be provided a fair hearing before an impartial tribunal or restored to office. Citizens of Swaziland have a right to a remedy for human rights violations.

Trying a case within the crucible of the courtroom presents enough challenges for litigators, but the impact on lawyers, clients, witnesses, judges and jurors can be profound when a case attracts a significant amount of media attention. Some of America’s leading litigators and judges shared insights on trying high-profile cases during a Nov. 21 webinar exclusively for ABA members, more than 3,000 of whom registered for the free CLE program, part of the ABA CLE Premier Speaker Series.

Last month, the ABA Journal carried a story on its website about a survey that reported many legal secretaries preferred working for male lawyers. Some ABA members communicated to us that the story unfairly perpetuated discriminatory stereotypes about women in the legal profession. The ABA Journal has taken the complaints to heart, apologized, and examined its editorial processes to ensure it deals fairly with such important subjects.

The American Bar Association calls for an end to the gross violations of human rights in Syria and urges the United Nations Security Council to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court for investigation. Since March 2011, peaceful demonstrators in Syria have been victims of a brutal backlash from President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Access to justice for many Americans came to the vote Thursday as Congress slashed FY12 funding by $56 million, or 14 percent, for the Legal Services Corporation, which helps subsidize legal aid for low-income residents and provides assistance to lawyers who serve them.

The American Bar Association commends President Obama and his administration for providing students and recent graduates with loan repayment assistance. Moving up the deadline by which some can obtain Income-Based Repayment relief, and allowing certain loans to be consolidated with a lower interest rate, can help alleviate the loan burdens many students face after graduation.

On this Veterans Day, the American Bar Association honors the exceptional men and women who bravely serve or have served in the United States Armed Forces. Their courageous efforts to protect and defend our country deserve our gratitude and appreciation. The ABA maintains its longstanding commitment to assist with the legal needs of service members, which include securing medical care, disability benefits, reemployment, consumer needs, housing, criminal justice issues and family law matters.

Although the Senate failed to pass the National Criminal Justice Commission Act earlier this month, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) said Friday he is not giving up. “I think this is one of the most vital issues in terms of how our society works,” said Webb, who re-introduced the bill in February. “We’re going to keep at it as long as we have the potential to get this done. And I think we will get this done.”

Lawyers should fight to eliminate barriers and unnecessary restrictions preventing them from participating in pro bono work, and they should look for innovative ways to provide these services, said U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder at the American Bar Association National Pro Bono Summit in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.

ABA President Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III stressed the importance of access to justice and the pro bono work of lawyers across the country during his remarks at the ABA National Pro Bono Summit Monday in Washington, D.C. The two-day summit, sponsored by the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, is part of the ABA’s annual Celebrate Pro Bono Week.

For the third straight year, lawyers will honor their responsibility to the profession and to their communities by helping thousands of Americans in need of legal assistance during the annual “Celebrate Pro Bono Week,” October 23-28, sponsored by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service.

Robert E. Stein, chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants, describes his committee’s work at the October 2011 board meeting of the Legal Services Corp., held at ABA headquarters in Chicago. Stein and other panelists showcased ABA initiatives that dovetail with LSC’s work.