ABA could end diversity requirements for board seats

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By Sara Merken

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REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

The American Bar Association is proposing to end its practice of reserving five seats on its governing board for women, racial minorities and other underrepresented groups, as the organization's diversity policies have come under scrutiny in President Trump's second term.

The revision, part of a slate of proposed changes that would reduce the size of the ABA's Board of Governors and its House of Delegates, would instead set aside three board seats for lawyers committed to "advancing the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion," regardless of the candidates' demographic backgrounds. The existing rules require the designated members to be "racially or ethnically diverse, a woman, or self-identify either as LGBTQ+ or as having a disability."

The board, which oversees management of the ABA, would go from the current 43 members to 32 under the proposal. The House of Delegates will consider the changes when it meets August 11 and 12. The ABA committee that developed the reforms said they are needed amid declining membership and would help the organization become more nimble and efficient.

Read more from Karen Sloan.

REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo

A federal appeals panel on Thursday appeared skeptical of President Trump's argument that a 1977 law historically used for sanctioning enemies or freezing their assets gave him the power to impose tariffs. Regardless of how the court rules, the litigation is almost certainly headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

My colleagues Jan Wolfe and Dietrich Knauth report on what you need to know about the dispute, which Trump has called "America's big case," and how it is likely to play out in the months ahead.

President Trump said he will substantially raise tariffs on goods from India over its purchases of Russian oil … Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his security cabinet this week to decide on Israel's next steps in Gaza following the collapse of indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas … The U.S. could require bonds of up to $15,000 for some tourist and business visas under a pilot program launching in two weeks … South Korean authorities began removing loudspeakers blaring anti-North Korea broadcasts along the country's border. Plus, a look at the jobs data revisions that cost a U.S. government statistician her job.

sara.merken@thomsonreuters.com

@saramerken

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