[blindLaw] American Bar Association President-Elect Appointment Process

[davant1958 at gmail.com]

Hello All,

Please see the below message from American Bar Association President-Elect,
Bill Bay. Thank you.

 

"Presidential Committee Appointments Process 2024-25.pdf

Dear Colleague: 

4

5

It is that time when we make approximately 700 appointments to ABA Standing
Committees, Special Committees, Commissions, and other Association entities

and initiatives. I welcome and value your participation as you seek an
appointment or nominate an ABA member whom you know. 

Let me start with what is new and has the potential to make a difference in
the important work our Association does: 

list of 1 items

. The ABA Board of Governors has approved the establishment of Young Lawyer
Fellows. This will permit the appointment of up to 10 young lawyer positions

to participating Special/Standing Committee/Commission and Centers. The goal
of the Fellows program is to increase involvement opportunities for lawyers

who are relatively new to the ABA. We are looking for newer lawyers who have
a passion and interest in the work of a particular entity. Please consider

who should be recommended for this important initiative. 

list end

There is also much that is familiar: 

list of 1 items

. The nomination website lists and describes the available ABA appointments
and how they fit into the overall organization. 

list end

list of 1 items

. The nominations application system is integrated with the ABA's
association 

management system, which means you will not need to complete basic
information about 

yourself. If your record is incomplete, I encourage you to complete it as
fully as possible 

so that the Appointments Committee has the necessary information about you
for the 

vetting process. Please visit 

https://www.americanbar.org/my-aba/profile/

to complete 

your profile. 

list end

The number of highly qualified applicants typically exceeds the number of
positions available. 

That requires the Appointments Committee to make difficult choices. If you,
or the person 

whom you nominate, do not receive an appointment this year, I hope you will
understand the 

consider reapplying in the future. You also may consider becoming involved
in one of our 

outstanding Sections, Divisions or Forums by visiting 

https://www.americanbar.org/membership.

ABA membership is required for service on ABA entities. If you are
self-nominating, please 

make sure your membership is current before you apply. If you are not a
member, you can join 

the ABA by going to 

https://www.americanbar.org/membership.

If you are nominating someone 

else, please make sure your nominee is a member or would be willing to join
if appointed. 

The online process begins on December 29, 2023. The deadline for all
submissions is 

February 12, 2024. Please visit 

Presidential Committee Appointments 2024-2025 

 

(americanbar.org)

to submit your application. We urge you to submit your application well 

before the February 12 deadline to avoid system delays that may occur due to
heavy use close to 

the deadline. 

Please note that the online nominations system works best for PC users,
mobile device users 

may experience some difficulties completing the online application. If you
need assistance 

completing the application, please contact Farah Adil at 

farah.adil at americanbar.org <mailto:farah.adil at americanbar.org> .

The 

Presidential Appointments Committee members will assist in vetting the
nominations. 

On the attached document, we also offer additional guidance to members who
are interested in applying or nominating a colleague: 

The work we do in the Association is important and requires a large team of
committed volunteers working with our staff. Thank you for your willingness

to be part of the process to nominate each potential volunteer. 

Sincerely, 

39

William R. Bay 

Additional Guidance 

to members interested on applying or nominating a colleague 

Focus on the nominee's true interest. If you are applying on your own behalf
or for 

another, a better fit between the Association's needs and the applicant's
talents will be achieved 

if we know what strong interests the candidate has. You will see that the
online form is designed 

for appointment to a specific entity. 

Tell us about the nominee's relevant experience. We encourage the
participation of 

lawyers from all segments of practice, including young lawyers, members of
firms of all sizes, 

solo practitioners, government lawyers, judges, legal educators, public
interest lawyers, and 

lawyers in less traditional practice settings. A proven record of volunteer
work and leadership in 

the organized bar - including a state or local bar - will enhance the
nominee's application. For an 

appointment that concerns a substantive area of the law, strong practical
experience in that area 

is as desirable as service in the organized bar. When applying for more than
one appointment, be 

sure to fill out a separate application for each position and provide only
background experience 

relevant to the specific committee or entity. 

Request an appointment that the nominee cares about. If experience to date
does not 

rise to the level of the nominee's ambition, please give us reasons for
considering the 

appointment, nonetheless. If we are unable to make the appointment
requested, we will do our 

best to direct the nominee to an appointment or other opportunity
commensurate with current 

experience and interests, and one that may help the nominee progress toward
a future 

appointment. 

Indicate alternate choices. Feel free to apply or nominate a member for more
than 

one appointment. Let us know at least one alternate in the event that we are
unable to 

accommodate the first choice. The "one appointment" rule (no member shall
serve in more than 

one Presidential appointment position at the same time) will be followed
with all appointments, 

but alternate choices increase the chance of receiving one appointment. 

Distinguish the nominee. The appointments process is an opportunity to
encourage 

participation in the Association's leadership by a wide diversity of
members. If appointing, you 

or your nominee will make the Association more inclusive or provide unusual
but useful 

experience or perspective, please indicate such facts in the
application/nomination. 

I look forward to working with you to advance the work of our Association."