We are excited to announce the launch of the Civil Rights and Social Justice (CRSJ) Appointments and Nominations process for the 2024-25 ABA Bar year. We invite you to submit an application to join the leadership of the Section – the only ABA membership entity exclusively dedicated to the advancement of human rights, civil liberties, and social justice – by submitting an application for one of our leadership positions. Applications are due no later than March 8, 2024. Please read below for more information or feel free to reach out to Section Director Paula Shapiro with any questions, or Chair-Elect Lacy L. Durham with questions related to appointments. *If you need an accommodation when filling out these forms, please contact Alli Kielsgard.
Leadership Positions – Now Open
The deadline for submitting your application is Friday, March 8, 2024
Nominations for elected and appointed Section leadership positions are now open. If you are interested in a CRSJ leadership position, please complete the appropriate form below by Friday, March 8, 2024. Please note that a person can be nominated for more than one position.
About the Process
In our February CRSJ 101, Section Chair-Elect Lacy Durham details the application process for the upcoming Bar Year. She discusses her insights into the leadership appointment process, outlining the procedures and showcasing the benefits of being a CRSJ leader - a Council member, Committee leader, or Liaison. Please watch the below iteration of CRSJ 101 for more details.
What are the leadership positions that I can apply for?
There are two ways to get involved in the leadership of CRSJ. First, you can nominate yourself or be nominated by someone else to serve as the Secretary of the Section, the Section Delegate, the Section Budget Officer, or any open seats on the Section Leadership Council. Position descriptions for each of these may be found in the Section bylaws. There is a Nominating Committee (Mario Sullivan, Chair; Antonia K. Fasanelli, Gerald B. (Jerry) Gardner, Pamelya P. Herndon, Paul M. Smith; and Lacy L. Durham and Robin R. Runge, ex officio) appointed by the Chair of the Section who reviews these applications and decides who will fill these positions for the 2024-25 Bar year and announces them at the CRSJ Section’s Spring Council Meeting in April 2024.
Second, you can be appointed by the Chair-Elect Lacy L. Durham, to serve as leaders of the CRSJ Section's 21 Committees (Chair or Vice-Chair), to be liaisons from the CRSJ Section to other ABA Entities, or to be Special Counsel and oversee 3-5 Committees. You can view the Section’s Committees and Leadership on our website.
Should You Apply?
YES! You can make an impact on critical issues facing our country and communities today by becoming a leader in our Section. We need your voice and expertise at the table in these critical times. Joining the Section leadership also allows you to develop and strengthen meaningful relationships with leaders in the profession from across the nation.
Some things to note if you are interested in self-nominating:
- Section Membership Required. All leaders must be Section members. Officers and Councilmembers must be Section members at least one year prior to their election at the ABA Annual Meeting.
- Open to All. We consider all self-nominations.
- Section Leadership Must Reflect Diversity. The Section supports the ABA’s Goal III to eliminate bias and enhance diversity and seeks to create a welcoming and inclusive environment within the Section. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and individuals from additional diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
- Attendance. All Officers and Council members are expected to attend (remotely or in person) the Council’s four meetings throughout the year. Committee leaders and Liaisons are encouraged to attend.
- Responsibilities. Committee leaders and Liaisons are expected to provide written quarterly reports to the Council at each of its four meetings.
- Accessibility. Every effort will be made to accommodate advance requests; reasonable accommodations will be provided during meeting sessions. Please contact Section Associate Director Alli Kielsgard for more assistance.
Officer and Council Elections
This year, the positions of Secretary, Section Delegate, and Section Budget Officer must be filled. There also are four elected Council vacancies (three-year terms) open, although one of the four open positions is currently held by a Council member eligible for and seeking re-nomination. Elections will take place during the 2024 ABA Annual Meeting. Officer and Council positions will begin immediately following the Annual Meeting.
If you would like to be considered by the Section's Nominating Committee for the Secretary, Delegate, Budget Officer, or Council position, please complete the nomination form by Friday, March 8, 2024. You may contact Nominating Committee Chair Mario Sullivan or Section Director Paula Shapiro with questions.
Special Counsel, Committee Leader and Liaison Appointments
Committee leaders (and our membership) are the backbone of the Section – our Section work would not happen without them. In March, Chair-Elect Lacy L. Durham will begin appointing Section members interested in leading the Section's 21 substantive committees or becoming Section liaisons to other ABA entities.
She will also appoint, for one-year terms, five (5) Special Counsel to oversee the Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Section's 21 substantive committees. Special Counsel are non-voting members of the Section's Council, appointed with approval by the Council, and are required to attend the Section's quarterly meetings. The appointment term will begin after the Annual Meeting.
Please note: Current Committee Leaders, Special Counsel, and Liaisons must fill out this very short, easy form for reappointment by Friday, March 8, 2024, to indicate your interest in serving in the same Section leadership position for the 2024-25 Bar year. You will only need to complete the first three questions, but you also may suggest other candidates for election or appointment.
If you would like to be considered by the Chair-Elect for a new appointed position, please complete the appointments form by Friday, March 8, 2024. Please contact Lacy L. Durham or Paula Shapiro with any questions.
Not a Member? Join Today!
In addition to offering rapid response and educational programs on cutting edge civil rights issues, CRSJ galvanizes the legal profession to protect and advance civil liberties, human rights and social justice. You can make an impact on critical issues facing our country and communities today by joining our Section.