At this week’s virtual ABA Annual Meeting, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer shared insights on an array of topics, including what he considers to be the biggest threat to the rule of law: the current political divisions in the country. “Convince other people. Talk to them. Don’t shout at them. And convince them you’re right … And if you can’t convince people this time, maybe you will next time.” He also said he is optimistic for the future because the country has experienced "slavery, a civil war and a legal system of segregation" but has overcome them all and will continue to overcome new challenges. Read more about his comments or watch the interview with ABA President Judy Perry Martinez. Also during the meeting, the ABA presented its highest honor to former ABA president and World Justice Project founder William Neukom. Earlier in the day, Neukom led a discussion with Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates on the nation’s response to COVID-19 and recent protests around racial injustice.

American Bar Association President Judy Perry Martinez today briefed the TBA's delegation to the ABA Virtual Annual Meeting in a Zoom call. Along with other ABA officials, she talked about the organization's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and what issues would be before the ABA House of Delegates when it convenes next week. Other ABA officials addressing Tennessee leaders included Executive Director Jack Rives, Treasurer Michelle Behnke, House of Delegates Speaker Bill Bay and President-Elect Patricia Lee Refo. The ABA conference kicks off on Wednesday and continues through next Tuesday.

The American Bar Association will hold its 2020 Annual Meeting virtually from July 29 to Aug. 4. Among the issues to be explored by attendees and governance bodies are legal problems created by the COVID-19 pandemic, police reform, foreign cyberthreats and voter suppression. Other highlights include remarks by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer on July 29 and presentation of the association’s highest honor, the ABA Medal, to World Justice Project founder William H. Neukom. The ABA House of Delegates will meet on Aug. 3 and 4.

The ABA House of Delegates, meeting in Austin yesterday, voted to approve a resolution calling on states to consider innovative approaches to the access-to-justice crisis that could improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of civil legal services. Language was added during consideration to clarify that nothing in the resolution should be construed as altering ABA model rules, including Rule 5.4, which covers non-lawyer ownership of law firms. For other actions taken by the ABA House during the group's Midyear Meeting, see this recap.

Judy Perry Martinez of Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn in New Orleans became president of the American Bar Association yesterday at the conclusion of the ABA Annual Meeting in San Francisco. Arizona attorney Patricia Lee Refo assumed the mantle of president-elect, and will serve as the organization's president in the 2020-2021 bar year.