In April, the legal profession gathered in Washington, DC, online, and nationwide to raise a powerful voice for access to justice. ABA Day 2025 was not only a return to Capitol Hill but also a national campaign of coordinated advocacy that engaged attorneys, law students, and advocates from every corner of the legal community.
With congressional offices open and Members of Congress eager to hear from their constituents, the timing was critical. The issues were urgent. And the response from the legal profession was nothing short of inspiring.
From Capitol Hill to Home Districts
This year, 220 advocates traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers during ABA Day. They were joined by hundreds more participating digitally through ABA Day Online and ABA Day At Home, making 2025 one of the most expansive ABA Day efforts to date.
Participants from every state, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, engaged with Members of Congress and their staff to discuss pressing priorities, including:
- Protecting and increasing funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC)
- Supporting judicial security legislation to address the rising threats to judges and court personnel nationwide
- Defending the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
Moments That Mattered
This year’s advocacy meetings delivered impact and insights that left the conversations open for more as the year continues. Delegates from Maryland recounted a “working meeting” that lasted over two hours with one Representative — a clear sign of the value these discussions hold.
Multiple offices requested digital versions of the ABA’s LSC infographic to share the information more broadly. One Republican Senator highlighted the LSC data and offered an unequivocal endorsement: “The numbers tell the story,” he said. “The impact is undeniable.”
Even offices once considered difficult to reach offered warm receptions. Many delegates described a renewed sense of bipartisan interest in issues like legal aid and judicial safety.
A Digital Advocacy Breakthrough
ABA Day Online, held April 9, brought together hundreds of additional participants through a 60-minute digital broadcast, which has now been viewed more than 650 times. Attendees heard from Members of Congress, ABA leaders, and experts, while also taking action through the ABA’s congressional messaging platform hosted by Quorum Analytics.
Several thousand messages were sent to Capitol Hill, reinforcing in-person visits, touching on issues that attendees in meetings didn’t have the time to discuss, and allowing every voice, no matter the location, to be heard.
If you would like to watch the broadcast and send your advocacy letters, please visit: https://americanbar.quorum.us/abaday/
Still Advocating: ABA Day At Home
As the April recess continued, ABA Day At Home carried the torch. Advocates met with lawmakers in their local district offices, invited them on site visits to legal aid centers, and continued sending messages through Quorum.
Whether online or in person, each interaction helped build long-term relationships that keep the profession’s priorities on the congressional radar year-round.
If you would like to request a meeting, please send this meeting request letter to your elected officials: https://americanbar.quorum.us/campaign/119609/
One Profession, One Voice
ABA Day 2025 proved once again that when the legal profession speaks, it speaks with clarity, unity, and purpose. From first-time advocates to seasoned veterans, each participant played a role in advancing access to justice and protecting the integrity of our legal system.
This effort would not have been possible without the leadership of the ABA Day Planning Committee and its dedicated Chair, Gene Vance. A longtime champion of ABA Day, Gene’s vision and tireless work helped bring together advocates from across the country and across generations to push for meaningful change.
We also want to thank our ABA Day 2025 sponsors – Quorum Analytics, SKOGOV, and Baker Donelson – who participated in our DC events and helped us do more for our attendees than otherwise would have been possible.
While the event may be over, the advocacy continues. ABA Day 2025 rejuvenated many advocating for access to justice and the rule of law. We’ve sent a message to Congress saying that we need them to act now, and the legal profession is here to help.