The American Bar Association House of Delegates adopted more than 50 policy matters, when it met during the 2025 ABA Annual Meeting.
Resolution 509, which opposes government action punishing or threatening lawyers, law firms or other organizations for representation of clients or causes disfavored by the government, passed on a voice vote.
Other proposals addressing democracy in America, including 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, also passed. Resolution 511, which 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, also was approved.
Resolutions related to education also were approved by the House of Delegates. Resolution 504, which 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, was passed on the Consent Calendar. Resolution 513, which 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 also passed, along with Resolution 505 urging law schools to adopt clear, specific and transparent policies governing the use of generative artificial intelligence tools by students.
Immigration enforcement and detention policies were also voted on. Resolution 510 urging 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, was passed. Resolution 602 urging 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, also passed. Another resolution, 603, urging 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, was adopted.
The First Amendment was invoked in several resolutions passed by the House. Resolution 514 urging the federal government to enact legislation and regulations recognizing a reporter’s privilege that enables journalists to protect their unpublished work product, and supports the holding in New York Times v. Sullivan, protecting the press from retaliatory defamation claims for reporting on matters of public interest and concern, was adopted. Resolution 517 supporting the First Amendment rights of public employees at all level of government to speak about matters of public concern without fear of retaliation also was passed.
Other resolutions passed 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.
The House also considered several governance issues determining how the association will operate in the future.
Resolution 509, which opposes government action punishing or threatening lawyers, law firms or other organizations for representation of clients or causes disfavored by the government, passed on a voice vote.
Other proposals addressing democracy in America, including 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, also passed. Resolution 511, which 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, also was approved.
Resolutions related to education also were approved by the House of Delegates. Resolution 504, which 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, was passed on the Consent Calendar. Resolution 513, which 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 also passed, along with Resolution 505 urging law schools to adopt clear, specific and transparent policies governing the use of generative artificial intelligence tools by students.
Immigration enforcement and detention policies were also voted on. Resolution 510 urging 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, was passed. Resolution 602 urging 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, also passed. Another resolution, 603, urging 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, was adopted.
The First Amendment was invoked in several resolutions passed by the House. Resolution 514 urging the federal government to enact legislation and regulations recognizing a reporter’s privilege that enables journalists to protect their unpublished work product, and supports the holding in New York Times v. Sullivan, protecting the press from retaliatory defamation claims for reporting on matters of public interest and concern, was adopted. Resolution 517 supporting the First Amendment rights of public employees at all level of government to speak about matters of public concern without fear of retaliation also was passed.
Other resolutions passed 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.
The House also considered several governance issues determining how the association will operate in the future.
