Washington Letter October 2011

Featured Articles

Federal Government

ABA Recommends That DOL Reconsider Proposed Rule

ABA President Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III urged the Labor Department Sept. 21 to reconsider a proposed rule that the association maintains would require many labor lawyers and law firms to report sensitive and confidential client information to the government.

Federal Government

Senate Appropriations Committee Approves $396 Million for LSC

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal year 2012 funding level of $396 million for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) last month.

Prosecution

ABA Urges Committee to Reject Amendments to Add More Mandatory Minimums to Federal Law

The ABA urged the Senate Judiciary Committee last month not to attach amendments to a data security bill that would add mandatory minimum sentences for certain crimes under the measure.

Disability

ABA Cites Need for Improving Guardianship

Guardianship is a “double-edged sword” that provides protection yet removes fundamental rights, the ABA said in a statement submitted to a Senate Judiciary subcommittee last month as the association urged the panel to support efforts by the federal government to enhance guardianship systems at the state level.

Human Rights

Congress Considers Extension of Anti-Trafficking Act

Bills to reauthorize and strengthen the Trafficking Victims Protection Act have begun moving through both houses of Congress, with approval early this month of legislation by the House Foreign Affairs Committee and markup for a similar bill expected shortly by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Federal Government

Washington News Briefs

Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS), Financial Action Task Force (FATF), National Criminal Justice Commission

Renew Your ABA Membership

Washington Letter October 2011

New Patent Reform Law is Most Comprehensive Revision in 60 Years

Featured Articles

ABA Recommends That DOL Reconsider Proposed Rule

Senate Appropriations Committee Approves $396 Million for LSC

ABA Urges Committee to Reject Amendments to Add More Mandatory Minimums to Federal Law

ABA Cites Need for Improving Guardianship

Congress Considers Extension of Anti-Trafficking Act

Washington News Briefs

ABA Resources

The ABA

Connect

Renew Your ABA Membership

American Bar Association TM American Bar Association

Washington Letter October 2011

New Patent Reform Law is Most Comprehensive Revision in 60 Years

Featured Articles

ABA Recommends That DOL Reconsider Proposed Rule

Senate Appropriations Committee Approves $396 Million for LSC

ABA Urges Committee to Reject Amendments to Add More Mandatory Minimums to Federal Law

ABA Cites Need for Improving Guardianship

Congress Considers Extension of Anti-Trafficking Act

Washington News Briefs

ABA Resources

The ABA

Connect