American Bar Association's new leader commits to forward-thinking initiatives

A recent leadership transition in the American Bar Association (ABA) has shown the organization’s intent to adapt, to innovate, to remain a pivotal force in the legal profession, and to uphold its mission amid evolving challenges.

At the conclusion of the ABA’s annual meeting in Chicago, U.S., Mary Smith handed over the presidency to William R. Bay, a partner at Thompson Coburn LLP in St. Louis, Missouri and a long-standing leader within the ABA.

During his first address as president, Bay called on the ABA House of Delegates to embrace change so that it could remain faithful to its mission in the midst of the shifting landscape of the legal profession.

“Today, we are called to renew our journey with a goal of being the home of the profession,” he said to the House. “We must engage a new generation of attorneys who don’t see the association and profession as we do.”

According to the ABA’s news release, Bay pushed for renewed focus on member engagement and experience. He expressed that the ABA should undertake “home improvement projects”, including restructuring dues and simplifying the membership process for a more accessible and streamlined organization that efficiently meets its members’ needs.

“Sometimes it feels like you need a decoder ring to understand our organization – we can do better,” Bay said.

Bay urged the ABA members to explore different aspects of the organization that have resulted in positive impacts. One example that he cited was how the ABA’s $2.65 million investment in public interest work generated around $40 million in grants.

Bay has been co-chairman of the Practice Forward initiative, which tackled concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and the future of the profession.

Outgoing president urges vigilance

In her remarks, Mary Smith reflected on her tenure by sharing insights from her year of leading the ABA. She expressed pride in the ABA’s ability to adapt to meet societal needs and to address historical injustices.

The ABA’s recent efforts to reach new audiences through platforms such as TikTok, where it gained over 50,000 followers, showed the association’s growing visibility and relevance, she noted.

Smith’s initiatives during her tenure included the ABA Presidential Speaker Series, which drew over two million viewers and featured prominent figures such as Dolores Huerta, Mazie Hirono, and Martin Scorsese. She also established a working group that developed a toolkit to assist lawyers and bar associations in navigating challenges.

Another key aspect of Smith’s presidency was her focus on two task forces. First, the Task Force on Law and Artificial Intelligence explored the implications of AI on legal education, evidence, and access to justice.

Next, the Task Force for American Democracy aimed to engage the legal profession and the public in preserving democracy. This task force organized listening tours in key states and published working papers to address pressing issues.

Smith reflected on the challenges that the ABA has faced. She called on the members to remain vigilant in defending the judiciary, free and fair elections, and freedom of the press.