Leaders from The Iowa State Bar Association attended the American Bar Association Day in Washington, D.C., from March 24 to March 26. The event brought together bar leaders nationwide to meet with lawmakers and discuss issues important to the legal profession and the public.
President Kathy Law, Executive Director Harry Shipley, and ABA Delegate David L. Brown represented the Iowa State Bar Association at this year’s gathering. They met with members of Iowa’s congressional delegation to talk about funding for legal services, judicial security, and challenges facing rural attorneys.
“Representing the ISBA in D.C. was a great experience,” said Law. “It was rewarding to share the need for funds for Legal Services Corporation (LSC) that helps fund organizations like Iowa Legal Aid, which does such good work for Iowans who cannot afford legal services. We also shared the need for judicial security measures to keep our judges safe from threats and attacks.”
Law said they also discussed efforts to address shortages of attorneys in rural areas across Iowa. “We shared our work on rural practice and legal deserts in Iowa,” she said. “Several legislators expressed interest in this issue and asked to be kept informed as our efforts continue.”
The event included policy briefings, advocacy training sessions, meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, and networking opportunities with other bar leaders focused on advancing access to justice.
“I believe it is important to let our Iowa legislators know how much we appreciate their work and to provide them with information to help guide their decisions,” Law said. “Connecting with them in person helps maintain the strong relationships we’ve built over the years.”
Through its participation at ABA Day, association leaders say they are ensuring that concerns of Iowa attorneys are heard at a national level.