By American Bar Association
The American Bar Association’s policy making body, the House of Delegates (HOD), will consider almost 60 policy matters, including one on law firm intimidation, several on immigration enforcement and detention and resolutions on academic freedom and open, civil debate at universities when it meets Aug. 11-12 during the 2025 ABA Annual Meeting in Toronto.
Resolutions are not ABA policy until they are voted on and passed by the House of Delegates.
Resolution 509 opposes government action punishing or threatening lawyers, law firms or other organizations for representation of clients or causes disfavored by the government.
Other proposals addressing democracy in America include Resolution 512 which reaffirms the ABA’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting civil rights and urges all levels of government to ensure that laws are enacted and enforced consistently with constitutional principles; preserve judicial independence; safeguard the rights of vulnerable communities; and promote civic education.
Another resolution, 511, opposes the dismantling or defunding, in whole or in part, of any federal agency or independent agency created by legislation or halting any of such an agency’s statutory functions, in the absence of legislation expressly authorizing such measures. Immigration enforcement and detention policies also will be debated.
Resolution 510 urges the executive branch and Congress to adopt policies and enact legislation that ensures due process protections, including meaningful notice, opportunity to be heard and access to legal counsel, in all proceedings involving denial of entry, visa revocation, rescission of lawful permanent residency or removal from the United States, including those based upon alleged security or criminal concerns.
Resolution 602 urges Congress and the Department of Homeland Security to prohibit immigration enforcement operations in or around sensitive locations (e.g., such as hospitals, schools, houses of worship, demonstrations and public safety agencies) except for where exigent circumstances exist.
Another resolution, 603, urges the executive branch to adopt policies and Congress to enact laws that prohibit detention of immigrants in Department of Defense facilities, such as the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, and implement procedures for immigrant detention that give full consideration to the protection of immigrant detainee rights pursuant to the U.S. Constitution and the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Resolutions related to education also will be considered. Resolution 504 urges law schools to actively promote environments where civil discourse can thrive, particularly through student debate unions and forums that serve as essential spaces for free expression, reasoned discussion and the exchange of diverse perspectives on contentious issues.
Resolution 513 supports the academic freedom of American universities, colleges and law schools and opposes governmental efforts to impose the government’s viewpoint with respect to the academic qualifications of students or faculty or the content of curricula or specific courses.
Another resolution, 505, urges law schools to adopt clear, specific and transparent policies governing the use of generative artificial intelligence tools by students.
Other resolutions of note to be debated at the meeting include:
• Resolution 518: Opposing the adoption of civil or criminal laws that impose criminal and civil penalties or rights deprivations based on an individual’s conduct during pregnancy or its outcome.
• Resolution 522: Urging Congress to pass H.R. 154, or similar legislation, to establish a federal Election Day in every even-numbered year as a federal public holiday.
• Resolution 605: Urging states and courts to study community justice worker programs successfully implemented in several U.S. jurisdictions and to adopt such programs appropriate for their jurisdiction to expand the accessibility, affordability and quality of civil legal services provided to those who cannot afford an attorney, while continuing to protect clients and the public.
• Resolution 607: Opposing the enactment and enforcement of, and supporting the repeal of, laws, policies and practices by authorities that punish persons experiencing homelessness and/or poverty.
ABA President Bill Bay, ABA President-elect Michelle Behnke and ABA Executive Director Alpha Brady are scheduled to deliver remarks. Behnke will become ABA president at the close of the HOD meeting on Tuesday. Jonathan Cole, chair of the House of Delegates, will preside over the two-day meeting.
The American Bar Association’s policy making body, the House of Delegates (HOD), will consider almost 60 policy matters, including one on law firm intimidation, several on immigration enforcement and detention and resolutions on academic freedom and open, civil debate at universities when it meets Aug. 11-12 during the 2025 ABA Annual Meeting in Toronto.
Resolutions are not ABA policy until they are voted on and passed by the House of Delegates.
Resolution 509 opposes government action punishing or threatening lawyers, law firms or other organizations for representation of clients or causes disfavored by the government.
Other proposals addressing democracy in America include Resolution 512 which reaffirms the ABA’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting civil rights and urges all levels of government to ensure that laws are enacted and enforced consistently with constitutional principles; preserve judicial independence; safeguard the rights of vulnerable communities; and promote civic education.
Another resolution, 511, opposes the dismantling or defunding, in whole or in part, of any federal agency or independent agency created by legislation or halting any of such an agency’s statutory functions, in the absence of legislation expressly authorizing such measures. Immigration enforcement and detention policies also will be debated.
Resolution 510 urges the executive branch and Congress to adopt policies and enact legislation that ensures due process protections, including meaningful notice, opportunity to be heard and access to legal counsel, in all proceedings involving denial of entry, visa revocation, rescission of lawful permanent residency or removal from the United States, including those based upon alleged security or criminal concerns.
Resolution 602 urges Congress and the Department of Homeland Security to prohibit immigration enforcement operations in or around sensitive locations (e.g., such as hospitals, schools, houses of worship, demonstrations and public safety agencies) except for where exigent circumstances exist.
Another resolution, 603, urges the executive branch to adopt policies and Congress to enact laws that prohibit detention of immigrants in Department of Defense facilities, such as the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, and implement procedures for immigrant detention that give full consideration to the protection of immigrant detainee rights pursuant to the U.S. Constitution and the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Resolutions related to education also will be considered. Resolution 504 urges law schools to actively promote environments where civil discourse can thrive, particularly through student debate unions and forums that serve as essential spaces for free expression, reasoned discussion and the exchange of diverse perspectives on contentious issues.
Resolution 513 supports the academic freedom of American universities, colleges and law schools and opposes governmental efforts to impose the government’s viewpoint with respect to the academic qualifications of students or faculty or the content of curricula or specific courses.
Another resolution, 505, urges law schools to adopt clear, specific and transparent policies governing the use of generative artificial intelligence tools by students.
Other resolutions of note to be debated at the meeting include:
• Resolution 518: Opposing the adoption of civil or criminal laws that impose criminal and civil penalties or rights deprivations based on an individual’s conduct during pregnancy or its outcome.
• Resolution 522: Urging Congress to pass H.R. 154, or similar legislation, to establish a federal Election Day in every even-numbered year as a federal public holiday.
• Resolution 605: Urging states and courts to study community justice worker programs successfully implemented in several U.S. jurisdictions and to adopt such programs appropriate for their jurisdiction to expand the accessibility, affordability and quality of civil legal services provided to those who cannot afford an attorney, while continuing to protect clients and the public.
• Resolution 607: Opposing the enactment and enforcement of, and supporting the repeal of, laws, policies and practices by authorities that punish persons experiencing homelessness and/or poverty.
ABA President Bill Bay, ABA President-elect Michelle Behnke and ABA Executive Director Alpha Brady are scheduled to deliver remarks. Behnke will become ABA president at the close of the HOD meeting on Tuesday. Jonathan Cole, chair of the House of Delegates, will preside over the two-day meeting.
