By American Bar Association
The ability to manage change in tumultuous times while staying true to the core principles of the legal profession is as essential today as it ever has been. In this 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, lawyers must rise to the occasion.
These were some of the core themes that American Bar Association President Michelle A. Behnke covered in her address to the association’s policy-making body Monday at the ABA Midyear Meeting in San Antonio.
In her remarks Monday to the ABA House of Delegates, Behnke said that “change is all around us and managing that change is essential to what we must do as an association.” She stressed that the only way forward is to adapt. “We can’t spend all our time looking in the rear-view mirror or lamenting about the way things used to be done. We must continue to prepare for the future of our profession and the future generations of lawyers we want to serve.”
Behnke touted the ABA’s new Center for Civic Engagement, Education and Rule of Law, chaired by ABA Past President Deborah Enix-Ross. One project the center is considering is a lawyer discussion series which would help people who want to understand what’s legal and what has precedent in a nonpartisan way. “We want lawyers to model good discussion and debate, and we want all voices to be part of the discussion,” Behnke said.
But in stressing the importance of adapting to change, Behnke also reminded the members that holding true to the ABA’s core mission was paramount. “We cannot give up on our beliefs, our core values and our mission,” she said. “The American Bar Association will continue to use its position to advocate for the legal profession and the judiciary. We will fight for the rule of law both at home and around the world. And we will not abandon our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.”
Behnke added that “equity and inclusion are not zero-sum games.” She said the ABA will stay committed to this issue “because now is not the time to walk back the progress that we have made.”
Another theme of the speech focused on the important role lawyers have played in the history of our country, solving problems, mediating differences and negotiating compromise. “As we begin to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, let’s re-commit ourselves to earnest discussion on important issues,” Behnke said. “Let’s recommit ourselves to engaging in the discussion, not running from it. If our republic is to persevere for another 250 years, we must look for solutions to the challenges that we face.”
Behnke also presented a Presidential Citation to the law firm Susman Godfrey for its pro bono work in support of the rule of law and the independence of the legal profession on behalf of the American Bar Association. Susman Godfrey is the ABA’s pro bono counsel in a lawsuit the association filed in federal court to prevent the U.S. government from enforcing further unconstitutional law firm executive orders targeting ABA member lawyers. Harry Susman, a partner of the firm, accepted the citation.
(https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/02/midyear-hod-speakers/)
The ability to manage change in tumultuous times while staying true to the core principles of the legal profession is as essential today as it ever has been. In this 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, lawyers must rise to the occasion.
These were some of the core themes that American Bar Association President Michelle A. Behnke covered in her address to the association’s policy-making body Monday at the ABA Midyear Meeting in San Antonio.
In her remarks Monday to the ABA House of Delegates, Behnke said that “change is all around us and managing that change is essential to what we must do as an association.” She stressed that the only way forward is to adapt. “We can’t spend all our time looking in the rear-view mirror or lamenting about the way things used to be done. We must continue to prepare for the future of our profession and the future generations of lawyers we want to serve.”
Behnke touted the ABA’s new Center for Civic Engagement, Education and Rule of Law, chaired by ABA Past President Deborah Enix-Ross. One project the center is considering is a lawyer discussion series which would help people who want to understand what’s legal and what has precedent in a nonpartisan way. “We want lawyers to model good discussion and debate, and we want all voices to be part of the discussion,” Behnke said.
But in stressing the importance of adapting to change, Behnke also reminded the members that holding true to the ABA’s core mission was paramount. “We cannot give up on our beliefs, our core values and our mission,” she said. “The American Bar Association will continue to use its position to advocate for the legal profession and the judiciary. We will fight for the rule of law both at home and around the world. And we will not abandon our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.”
Behnke added that “equity and inclusion are not zero-sum games.” She said the ABA will stay committed to this issue “because now is not the time to walk back the progress that we have made.”
Another theme of the speech focused on the important role lawyers have played in the history of our country, solving problems, mediating differences and negotiating compromise. “As we begin to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, let’s re-commit ourselves to earnest discussion on important issues,” Behnke said. “Let’s recommit ourselves to engaging in the discussion, not running from it. If our republic is to persevere for another 250 years, we must look for solutions to the challenges that we face.”
Behnke also presented a Presidential Citation to the law firm Susman Godfrey for its pro bono work in support of the rule of law and the independence of the legal profession on behalf of the American Bar Association. Susman Godfrey is the ABA’s pro bono counsel in a lawsuit the association filed in federal court to prevent the U.S. government from enforcing further unconstitutional law firm executive orders targeting ABA member lawyers. Harry Susman, a partner of the firm, accepted the citation.
(https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/02/midyear-hod-speakers/)
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