Rule of law, voting rights and free speech lead agenda at ABA 2026 Midyear Meeting

January 27, 2026

Rule of law, voting rights and free speech lead agenda at ABA 2026 Midyear Meeting

CHICAGO, Jan. 27, 2026 - Legal professionals from across the nation will convene Feb. 4-9 in San Antonio for the American Bar Association 2026 Midyear Meeting, where attorneys, judges and legal scholars will examine pressing issues shaping the legal profession and the justice system, including protection of the rule of law, voting rights and free expression.

The ABA House of Delegates (HOD) - the association's policymaking body encompassing nearly 600 delegates from ABA entities and state, local and specialty bar associations - will meet in person at 9 a.m. CST on Monday, Feb. 9, in the HemisFair Ballroom at the Henry B. González Convention Center. Delegates will consider almost 30 policy matters, including ones on judicial independence and safety, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, independence of the Department of Justice, Medicaid funding, immigration law enforcement and the use of National Guard and military forces in U.S. cities.

A list of resolutions can be found here. Resolutions are not ABA policy until they are voted on and passed by the House of Delegates, which meets twice annually. The next HOD meeting will be held during the ABA Annual Meeting, July 29-Aug. 4, 2026, in Chicago.

ABA President Michelle A. Behnke, ABA President-elect Barbara J. Howard, President-elect nominee Laura V. Farber and ABA Executive Director Alpha Brady are scheduled to deliver remarks. Jonathan Cole, chair of the House of Delegates, will preside over the one-day meeting.

For reporter access, contact ABA Communications at [email protected] with proof of credentials. Details for free online registration will follow ABA approval.

Featured programs include a reception honoring Jill Wine-Banks, a trailblazing legal leader whose groundbreaking career spans from serving as a Watergate prosecutor to becoming the first female general counsel of the U.S. Army. She will share her insights on justice, action and accountability during a reception at the Grand Hyatt on Friday, Feb. 6, followed by a book signing.

"The Titans for Change Gala: Celebrating Excellence, Impact and Pathways to the Profession," which unites the ABA Spirit of Excellence, Impacto and Alexander awards, will take place Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Grand Hyatt. The gala is presented by the ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession, the Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities and the Council for Diversity in the Educational Pipeline in celebration of excellence and leadership.

At noon on Monday, Feb. 9, Judge Royal Furgeson Jr., retired U.S. district judge and founding dean of the UNT Dallas College of Law, will share critical insights on protecting judicial independence in an era of increasing political pressure on the legal profession. Drawing from decades of experience on the federal bench and his current practice defending the rule of law, Judge Furgeson will discuss the essential role of an independent judiciary in maintaining our constitutional democracy; global perspectives on threats to judicial independence, from authoritarian regimes to democratic backsliding; practical strategies for legal professionals to defend courts from political interference; lessons from international colleagues who have faced similar challenges; and the importance of solidarity among judges, lawyers and prosecutors in upholding the rule of law.

Other newsworthy highlights include (all times are CST):

Thursday, Feb. 5

"Hot Topics in Election Law: Campaign Finance, Voting Rights, Redistricting and AI in a Shifting Legal Landscape" - Examines the most pressing and controversial issues in U.S. election law as the nation approaches the 2026 midterm elections. Participants will engage with recent and pending legal decisions that are reshaping the nation's electoral framework, including analysis of the Supreme Court's pending decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which could significantly weaken Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, with a particular emphasis on the constitutionality of race-conscious redistricting and its potential impact on majority-minority districts.
2:15-3:15 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 6

"Speech, Surveillance and Retaliation in Public Employment" - Explores the evolving legal landscape at the intersection of employee speech, employer surveillance practices and retaliation in the public sector. The discussion will examine when employee speech is constitutionally protected, how technological advances in workplace monitoring complicate traditional frameworks and the legal standards governing retaliation claims by public employees. The session also will address which types of employee speech are covered under the First Amendment, including speech as a citizen versus speech pursuant to official duties.
9-10 a.m.

"Age-Verification of Internet Websites, including Implications on Social Media Laws" - The Supreme Court's recent ruling in Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton upheld Texas House Bill 1181 mandating that certain commercial websites publishing sexually explicit content that is obscene to minors to establish age-verification requirements to ensure visitors are 18 or older. The session analyzes the legal landscape concerning state efforts to require age verification for websites that include not only websites that include pornographic content, but also children's and teen's use of social media and online platforms.
10:15-11:15 a.m.

"Protecting Native Artists and Cultural Patrimony: The Indian Arts and Crafts Act as a Shield and a Sword" - Historically, art created by Native people was unprotected and susceptible to forgery and unauthorized appropriation. The Indian Arts & Crafts Act of 1990 was passed to protect Native artists and preserve the integrity of products made by Native people. Prior to 1990, there was little enforcement of art mass produced in foreign countries and sold as "Indian art," to the detriment of Native artists. The act covers art created and produced going back to 1935, with penalties for violations of up to $250,000 and up to five years in prison, or both. Since the act was passed, there have been two high-profile criminal cases in which defendants were either found guilty or pled guilty to violating the act and sentenced to hefty fines and prison time.
12:30-1:30 p.m.

"The Robert T. Stafford Act: A Guide for State, Local and Tribal Governments in Emergency and Disaster Law" - The program provides a comprehensive overview of the Stafford Act and its critical role in federal disaster assistance. It is designed for government attorneys, emergency managers and public officials who must navigate the legal and administrative complexities of preparing for, responding to and recovering from major disasters and emergencies. The program explores the rights and responsibilities of state, local and tribal governments.
1:45-2:45 p.m.

The full agenda can be found here.

NOTE: Midyear Meeting programming is available to news reporters according to the ABA Open Meetings policy. For general assistance regarding the Midyear Meeting, contact [email protected].

For more information, contact Shanda Ivory at [email protected].