The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this content. Laws and regulations vary by jurisdiction and change frequently; always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation. The author and publisher assume no liability for any actions taken based on this information.
- The underlying story concerns a single award presentation at a national meeting
- The ABA Medal is described as the association’s highest honor
- Public ABA materials describe the 2013 ABA Medal presentation in San Francisco
- Public descriptions of the award focus on service to American jurisprudence
- Where the record of ABA Medal recipients is maintained
- Sources
Key Facts
- Federal and state: The ABA Medal is the American Bar Association’s highest honor and is presented at the ABA Annual Meeting to a member of the bench or bar for “conspicuous service in the cause of American jurisprudence.”
- Federal and state: ABA guidelines state that the ABA Medal is given only in years when the relevant ABA committee and the Board of Governors conclude a leader has rendered the required “conspicuous service.”
- Federal and state: The ABA’s Profession, Public Service, and Diversity Committee is identified by the ABA as the committee connected to nominations and guidelines for the ABA Medal.
- Federal and state: The ABA’s published list of ABA Medal recipients names Hillary Rodham Clinton as the 2013 recipient.
- Federal and state: An ABA Washington Letter recap of the 2013 Annual Meeting described the ABA Medal being presented to former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in San Francisco.
- Federal and state: The Washington Letter recap stated that Clinton served as the first chair of the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession.
- Federal and state: The Washington Letter recap described Clinton’s acceptance speech as focusing on ensuring voting rights for all Americans.
- Federal and state: An ABA Journal news report stated that the ABA planned to present the ABA Medal to Clinton on Aug. 12, 2013 at the Annual Meeting in San Francisco.
The underlying story concerns a single award presentation at a national meeting
The source topic reflected in the provided URL is best understood as an EVENT because it centers on a one-time, date-specific award presentation connected to the American Bar Association Annual Meeting in 2013.
The ABA Medal is described as the association’s highest honor
According to the ABA’s own description of the award, the ABA Medal is presented at the Annual Meeting to a member of the bench or bar who has rendered “conspicuous service in the cause of American jurisprudence.”
Separate ABA guidelines also describe the ABA Medal as an award that is not required to be presented every year, because it is tied to a determination by the relevant ABA committee and the ABA Board of Governors.
Public ABA materials describe the 2013 ABA Medal presentation in San Francisco
An ABA Washington Letter recap of the 2013 Annual Meeting in San Francisco described the presentation of the ABA Medal to former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and characterized the medal as the association’s highest honor.
That recap also stated that Clinton had served as the first chair of the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession and described her acceptance remarks as focusing on ensuring voting rights for all Americans.
In a separate report published before the Annual Meeting, the ABA Journal stated that the ABA had announced Clinton would receive the ABA Medal and that the presentation was planned for Aug. 12, 2013 in San Francisco.
Public descriptions of the award focus on service to American jurisprudence
The ABA’s published guidelines for awarding the ABA Medal describe the honor as recognizing “conspicuous service” and note that the decision to confer the award reflects internal ABA processes, including committee review and Board involvement.
Because the ABA Medal is a professional association honor, it generally does not function as a legal credential, a court status, or a license to practice law in any state, and it is best read as recognition for service as described in ABA materials.
Where the record of ABA Medal recipients is maintained
The ABA publishes a list of ABA Medal recipients by year, and that list identifies Hillary Rodham Clinton as the 2013 recipient.
