Bar council of India notifies amended rules allowing entry of foreign lawyers and law firms

On 14 May 2025, Bar & Bench journalist Pallavi Saluja reported that the Bar Council of India (BCI) has notified significant amendments to the Bar Council of India Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, 2022. The updated rules permit the entry of foreign lawyers and law firms…

California assembly Bill 931: consumer legal funding reform

On 7 May 2025, California Assembly Bill 931, introduced by Assembly Member Ash Kalra, was referred to the Judiciary Committee following several amendments. The bill proposes comprehensive regulations under the State Bar Act concerning consumer legal funding and legal fee-sharing practices. Assembly Bill 931 defines “consumer legal funding” as a nonrecourse transaction in which a funding…

Federation of law societies of Canada releases landmark report on anti money laundering regulation ahead of Financial Action Task Force review

On May 1 2025, the Federation of Law Societies of Canada released a landmark report detailing how Canadian law societies meet international Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards, ahead of Canada’s scheduled review by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). This report is the first of its kind to provide a comprehensive technical compliance analysis of how…

American Bar Association release new survey on legal tech trends

On 3 March 2025, the American Bar Association’s Legal Technology Resource Center released its 2024 Legal Technology Survey Report, providing a comprehensive analysis of how attorneys in private practice are leveraging technology. Now in its 20th year, the survey remains a leading resource on tech adoption in the legal sector, capturing responses across five categories: online…

The rise of artificial intelligence in legal practice: opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations

In an article for the Colorado Technology Law Journal, candidate attorney Joely Williamson explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the legal profession—revolutionizing traditional practices, creating new opportunities, and raising urgent ethical and regulatory concerns. AI is increasingly used for document review, legal research, contract drafting, and predictive analytics. Generative AI (GenAI) tools like Lexis+…

Artificial intelligence and ethics in the legal profession

By Nathaniel M. Glasser, Frances M. Green, Gretel Zumwalt, and Isabel Wolf – March 11, 2025 In this comprehensive article published by Epstein Becker & Green for the American Bar Association, lawyers at a US healthcare and life sciences law firm explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming legal practice and the ethical responsibilities that…

“Without fear or favour: the independence of the legal profession at risk?” by CLA President Steven Thiru

In this powerful piece, CLA President Steven Thiru warns of the growing threats to the independence of the legal profession globally. He underscores that an independent Bar is essential to upholding justice and the rule of law, serving as a safeguard against executive overreach and ensuring access to justice for all—particularly in contentious or politically…

Towards sustainable legal education reform: interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches in Albania’s justice system

This article explores the challenges and potential solutions for reforming public legal education in Albania as part of the broader judicial reform agenda. While legal education has been identified as a vital tool for fostering civic engagement and restoring public trust in justice institutions, Albania’s efforts have been fragmented and largely ineffective. The 2019–2023 National…

Continued suspension of diversity standard suggested by American Bar Association legal education committee

On 2 May 2025, the Standards Committee of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar issued a memo recommending that enforcement of Standard 206, which governs diversity and inclusion in law school accreditation, remain suspended until 31 August 2026. This recommendation comes ahead of the Section’s Council meeting scheduled…

California scraps new bar exam for July, adjusts scores on February test

On 6 May 2025, Reuters reported on California’s bar exam, highlighting the fallout from the state’s failed attempt to implement a new licensing format. The California Supreme Court has ordered the cancellation of the state’s newly developed bar exam for the July 2025 sitting, following significant issues during its February administration. The February exam, which…

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