About the Commission on Disability Rights
Members, Liaisons, History, and Contact Information
ABA Diversity and Inclusion Center
The Commission on Disability Rights is a proud member of the Diversity and Inclusion Center. The Center promotes collaboration, coordination, and communication to advance ABA Goal III – to eliminate bias and enhance diversity and inclusion throughout the Association, legal profession, and justice system.
Chair
Special Advisors to the Commission
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Hope Brinn
Associate, Berger Montague
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Christine M. Busanelli
Oak Brook, IL
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Jason P. Lacey
Former Commissioner
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Katherine H. O'Neil
Former Commission Chair
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Ronza M. Othman
Director, EEO Compliance Group, Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Liaisons to the Commission
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Denise R. Avant
Board of Governors
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Hon. Robert S. Cohen
Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice Section
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Margaret M. Foran, Esq.
Business Law Section
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Robert D. Dinerstein
Civil Rights & Social Justice Section
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Guy Arcidiacono
Criminal Justice Section
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Kathleen M. Whitby
Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources
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James F. Carr, Esq.
Government & Public Sector Lawyers Division
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William Hopkins
Health Law Section
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Robert T. Gonzales
Commission on Homelessness & Poverty; Senior Lawyers Division
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Ira E. Marquette. Esq.
Intellectual Property Law Section
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Paul E. Johnson, Esq.
International Law Section
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Theresa D. Moore
Judicial Division
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Randi B. Starrett, Esq.
Law Practice Division
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Angela Li
Law Student Division
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Hugh B. Wellons, Esq.
Science & Technology Law Section
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Briana Pearson
Solo, Small Firm & General Practice Division
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Alan S. Rachlin, Esq.
Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
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Matthew J. Halverson
Young Lawyer Division
Contact Us
Meet our staff and see contact information for the Commission.
History of the Commission
The ABA’s Commission on the Mentally Disabled was established in 1973 to respond to the advocacy needs of persons with mental disabilities. After the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the ABA broadened the Commission’s mission to serve all persons with disabilities and changed its name to the Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law. In 2011, the members changed the name to the Commission on Disability Rights to better reflect its mission. Today, the Commission carries out an array of projects and activities addressing disability-related public policy, disability law, and the professional needs of lawyers and law students with disabilities.
Diversity Plan
The Commission – recognizing the importance of diversity in its operations and mission, as well as ABA's Goal III – established a diversity plan. The plan outlines the Commission's plan to track and promote diversity and eliminate bias.