Civil Rights and Social Justice

Join Us. Whatever your area of specialization, CRSJ has a place for you. Over the past five decades, the Section and its members have worked on hundreds of issues addressing a broad range of civil rights, civil liberties, and international human rights. Today, the Section continues to promote policies affecting racial equality, environmental and economic justice, LGBT rights, gender equity, and other significant civil rights issues.

Statement on the Passing of Judith Heumann

The ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice sends its condolences to the family and friends of Judith “Judy” Heumann. Judy was a lifelong civil rights and social justice advocate and international icon until her sudden death on the afternoon of March 4, 2023.

Read - the Statement

Economic Justice Summit | Mar. 30-31, Washington, D.C.

Registration Now Open!

Registration for the Section's Economic Justice Summit is now open! The conference will be held on March 30-31, at Georgetown University Law Center's Sarah and Bernard Gewirz Student Center. The Summit is open to both in-person and virtual attendees and is complimentary and open to the public. Please share word of this event widely with your colleagues and networks!

About - the Summit

2023 CRSJ Midyear Meeting

The Section recently hosted its second virtual Midyear Council Meeting, during which the Section’s governing body actively discussed resolutions before the ABA House of Delegates, heard from the Section’s Committee leaders and ABA entity liaisons about ongoing and forthcoming initiatives, heard reports from the Executive Committee and ABA President and President-Elect, and more!

About - the Meeting

Human Rights Magazine - New Issue Available!

Volume 48, No. 2

The latest issue of the ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice's award-winning quarterly Human Rights Magazine covers a diverse range of topics, from wage inequality and predatory lending to environmental justice and fair housing.

Read - the latest issue

John E. Ecohawk to Receive the 2023 Thurgood Marshall Award

2023 Annual Meeting

The ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice will honor Native American Rights Fund Executive Director John E. Echohawk with the 2023 Thurgood Marshall Award during the 2023 ABA Annual Meeting in Denver, CO.

About - the Recipient

Perfecting Democracy

Perfecting Democracy, an initiative of the ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, recruits lawyers and law students to volunteer to assist organizations engaged in nonpartisan efforts to protect fair elections and the right to vote.

About - Perfecting Democracy

CRSJ Chair Chat

Meet 22-23 Chair Juan R. Thomas

This year, 2022-23 CRSJ Section Chair Juan R. Thomas will utilize the Chair Chat platform to converse with legal scholars, advocates, thought leaders and activists committed to fighting for social justice, protecting our democracy, and upholding the rule of law. During these Chats, Juan will discuss strategies for tackling the existing and emerging civil rights issues arising throughout the country. Through this platform, CRSJ will continue to evaluate its voice as the “Conscience of the ABA.”

About - the Chair Chat

Featured Member Op-Ed | An Unexpected Trip to the White House

CRSJ Liaison to the Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Nathan Bruemmer details his experience at the December 12 Respect for Marriage Act Signing Ceremony at the White House.

Read - the Op-Ed

2021-22 Bar Year Accomplishments

Section Chair Beth K. Whittenbury has compiled a comprehensive list of the Section's achievements and successes over the last year.

Sherrilyn Ifill Honored with 2022 Thurgood Marshall Award

2022 Annual Meeting

The Section honored the esteemed President and Director-Counsel Emeritus of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., Sherrilyn Ifill, with the 2022 Thurgood Marshall Award in a celebration during the ABA Annual Meeting.

About - the Recipient

ABA Communities

Join this new, exclusive online community site to connect and interact. There are Communities for each of our substantive and operational committees.

Connect - now

Voting Rights Toolkit

As a part of our multi-component voting rights initiative, CRSJ has created a Voting Rights Toolkit to provide technical assistance to you as you serve your community and our country in various ways. We have included information to help you identify election-related issues encountered by vulnerable populations and work toward solutions.

Thank you to our 2022 Sponsors

The Section deeply thanks each generous sponsor of the 2022 Thurgood Marshall Award Celebration for its support that enables the Section to advance its programs and publications and better serve our community of advocates nationwide working to protect civil rights and social justice.

CRSJ 101 – Monthly Membership Event

Attention new and interested CRSJ members! Join Section leaders and staff on Monday, March 20, at 2:00 p.m. ET for a 30-minute event to learn more about the ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, our projects and initiatives, committee membership, and opportunities to get involved or get published! This event is open to all ABA members and non-members. This recurring membership orientation will occur on the first Monday of every month at 3:00 p.m. ET.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Register - Here

Member Spotlights

We are proud to showcase the work and accomplishments of our esteemed members. Check out our spotlights of some of our more active members, and learn more about their work, goals, and achievements.

Latest News

Join Us

Whatever your area of specialization, CRSJ has a place for you. By joining us today, you can help ensure that the world’s largest voluntary professional association continues to uphold the Bill of Rights and the ideals it embodies.

Donate

Over the past five decades, the Section and its members have worked on hundreds of issues addressing a broad range of civil rights, civil liberties, and international human rights. Today, the Section continues to promote policies affecting religious freedom, LGBT rights, gender equity, and other significant civil rights issues. Your gift will help make our efforts possible for the next fifty years!