From the Chair: Regarding Recent Developments

Dear SLD Members,

Since Inauguration Day, our country has been swept up in a whirlwind of unprecedented Executive Orders impacting every part of the federal government and the lives of everyday citizens. On February 10, 2025, Bill Bay, President of the American Bar Association (ABA), sent a message to all ABA members in support of the rule of law (ABA supports the rule of law). That message was followed the next day by a statement to the press (ABA condemns remarks questioning legitimacy of courts and judicial review) and most recently by a message decrying retaliatory action taken against lawyers who defend the rule of law (ABA rejects efforts to undermine the courts and the legal profession).

I stand with the American Bar Association during these perilous times when the rule of law and support for diversity in our profession is under attack. Over the years I have been extremely proud of the many ABA CLE programs, thoughtful articles, books, and webinars on a myriad of topics. Every year I value the networking opportunities and the ability to connect with lawyers from across the country whether virtual or in person. My membership in the ABA has brought value to both my personal and professional life.

I identify with the core values of the ABA that are evidenced by

• the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ROLI) which is a worldwide initiative that helps judges and lawyers around the world:
• ABA Free Legal Answers, a program where volunteer attorneys answer legal questions from the public;
• ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary that performs non-partisan evaluations of nominees to the federal bench;
• ABA ProBAR which provides immigrants seeking asylum with legal service;
• the newly created Task Force for American Democracy which is a shining light in civic instruction and involvement; Members of the Senior Lawyers Division (SLD) who spearheaded the Division’s financial support of the Task Force’s video How A Ballot Becomes A Vote;
• and finally, our monetary donations to the ABA Fund for Justice and Education (FJE) are used to support volunteer attorneys in providing legal assistance during national disasters, in homeless courts, and with aid to veterans and victims of domestic violence. 

Formed in the 1985-1986 bar year, the Senior Lawyer Division’s mission is to serve as an advocate for senior lawyers and their families. SLD actively supports the core values of the ABA by serving experienced lawyers and American families and assisting lawyers and judges transitioning in their careers. We have created our Lawyer Transition and Retirement Series, formed a partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, created the Center for Excellence in Elder Law and Dementia (a content-rich clearinghouse dedicated to developments in elder law practice and the fight against dementia), and launched our Elder Fraud Prevention and Detection Initiative (empowering elder Americans with tools to educate, prevent and detect financial fraud and other scams) in response to a 2023 FBI report that “Americans over the age of 60 reported over $3.4 billion in losses due to elder fraud, with the average victim losing around $34,000 per case, representing an 11% increase from the previous year.” Common Frauds and Scams | Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Now, we find ourselves in a turbulent climate, however, as “seasoned attorneys” the SLD can remind our colleagues that we have faced attacks on the rule of law in the past from overzealous responses to civil rights protests and Vietnam era anti-war protests, and no one can forget the Watergate scandal. America was able to right itself and we are still standing.  All is not lost.

Members of the SLD have identified some programs that will assist the membership and the public:

1. Reach out to offer emotional support for members facing anxiety and uncertainty to reassure them as experienced lawyers that we will all survive and thrive.
2. Encourage our membership to run for elective office or become active on Boards and Commissions. SLD will provide members with tools on how to do so in an ethical and professional manner.
3. Continue to work with the ABA Commission on Law and Aging and the Civil Rights and Social Justice Section to protect Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid and safe affordable housing for America’s aging population.

Your continued membership in the ABA is evidence of your desire to live in a free and open society. Salman Rushdie is quoted as saying, “Two things form the bedrock of any open society - freedom of expression and rule of law. If you don't have those things, you don't have a free country.”  I thank each member for your commitment to the SLD as we continue our advocacy.

Wishing Happy Trails to You,

Karren J. Pope Onwukwe