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    March 2024 Washington Letter

     

    Federal Government

    Join us for ABA Day 2024

    As the legal community gears up for ABA Day 2024, we once again take note of how best to communicate our advocacy messages to a Hill that is inundated with requests. This year, we will be raising our voices jointly online and in Washington.

    This Month's Articles

    Advocate of the Month

    We are proud to honor Tina Luongo (They/Them) as our Advocate of the Month for March 2024. Tina is the Chief Attorney of the Criminal Defense Practice of The Legal Aid Society and Chair of the ABA Criminal Justice Section. With over 20 years of experience in criminal defense litigation, systemic law and policy reform and law practice management, Tina is engaged in work that has helped clients and communities in New York City and across the nation. In August 2023 Tina was sworn in as the first gender non-conforming Chair of the Criminal Justice Section after serving the section for many years in several key leadership roles. In that role, they are working with public and private criminal defense attorneys, State and Federal prosecutors, esteemed members of the bench and academia to set the standards for racial equity and fairness in the criminal legal system and to strive to create opportunity and professional development for section members. Tina is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Legal Aid and Defender Association and Past President of the Chief Defender Association of New York. Throughout their career Tina has focused on improving the lives of those that have found themselves on the brink, or within, the criminal justice system.

    Legislative Research Tip

    March 2024 Washington Letter research tip: Legislative Process Resources The Congress.gov page Learn About the Legislative Process links to online resources on the lawmaking process for all levels of learning: Introductory videos covering the role of the House and Senate in passing legislation; a searchable Glossary of common terms used in congress; an in-depth description of How Laws Are Made including the roles of committees and forms of legislation; and research guides on history and civics for students and teachers.

    About the Washington Letter

    The ABA Washington Letter is a monthly publication produced by the Governmental Affairs Office to report and analyze congressional and executive branch action on legislative issues of interest to the ABA and the legal profession. The newsletter highlights ABA involvement in the federal legislative process and focuses on the association's legislative and governmental priorities and other issues on which the ABA has policy.

    Current Washington Letter

    Questions? Contact Allison Rosenstock, 202-667-1771