Jean Chrétien, the former 10-year prime minister of Canada, lived up to his reputation as an entertaining speaker at an American Bar Association luncheon during the annual meeting on Aug. 5.

Judges analyzed the challenges with forensic science evidence yesterday at the American Bar Association Annual Meeting, as DNA, fingerprints, handwriting, hair, bite marks, bloodstains and bullets were put on trial at a session designed to evaluate forensic evidence.

Five women whose accomplishments have opened doors for women in law, while shaping the lives of people throughout the world, will be honored with one of the legal profession’s most prestigious awards.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission today heard from legal experts that people with arrest and conviction records face legal barriers when seeking employment, and that this has an overall economic and social impact on society.

WASHINGTON — The American Bar Association will present its selections for the 54th presentation of the Silver Gavel Awards for Media and the Arts, which recognize outstanding work that fosters the American public’s understanding of law and the legal system. This is the ABA’s highest honor in recognition of this purpose.

Here is an important question to ask in the wake of today’s vote: the next time a major natural disaster strikes, where should its victims turn for legal assistance in putting their lives back together? Because today’s cuts will decimate the operations of the local legal aid providers that normally step in to help.

The American Bar Association’s Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities hearing was held today June 29, at the Austin City Hall. Latino leaders in the U.S. Southwest had a chance to add their concerns, experiences, and suggestions to the record that will be used as a catalyst to promote changes and policy that affect the Latino community. On July 12, the commission will hold a hearing in Los Angeles.

Benjamin Muhammad entered New York’s foster care system at birth, going through two kinship homes and an abusive foster home, all before the age of 9 when he was adopted by his aunt and uncle. At a congressional briefing on Tuesday to celebrate National Reunification Days, May 8 through June 19, Muhammad stressed its significance.

It’s a matter of fact, not just law, that children are not the same as adults. It is hard to imagine anyone feeling comfortable with a 13-year-old child being questioned by police without a Miranda warning. Today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court in the case of J.D.B. v. State of North Carolina recognizes a child’s unique vulnerabilities and immaturity when it comes to judgment and understanding.

Health care reform calls for sweeping changes that will upend doctors’ business models. Now physicians and their lawyers are seeking solutions for growing concerns about how their practices will change. “Physicians will have to come together … to deliver care on a basis that is accountable in terms of both healthcare and cost,” said Sidney Welch, chair of the American Bar Association’s Physicians – Legal Issues Conference, which will meet June 16–17 in Chicago.

WASHINGTON — Harvey Rishikof (L) and William Coleman exchange greetings at a luncheon of the Standing Committee on Law and National Security of the American Bar Association on June 8.

WASHINGTON—Pretrial justice reform can save budget-strapped states money, and create a safer, more effective and fairer justice system, criminal justice experts said Tuesday.

Last year alone, taxpayers spent $9 billion on the 500,000 people held in jail before trial, even though two-thirds of the individuals being detained posed no significant threat to public safety and were likely to return to court for trial.