American Bar Association took a stand

[Ms. Toad]

17. First - I have no idea whether any of these "bad actors" are members of the ABA.

It is a voluntary association of American attorneys which has no more to do with licensing or disciplining attorneys than the local grocery store. I think I am currently a member - because before I retired the law school I worked at signed me up. I'm still getting the magazine, so I suspect they (the law school) has forgotten to remove me. I have never sought out membership in the ABA. I don't have anything against them - I just never saw any personal or professional value to becoming a member.

But back to the bad actors - even if the individuals are members, the ABA is not in the business of determining who, among those who choose to join, is appropriate to practice law. For that matter, you do not even have to be an attorney to join the ABA. They have zero power to censure, disapprove, or make adverse recommendations as to any of its members (or non-members). Its interest is in the rule of law, not in the individuals who practice it. They craft model rules for what they believe reflects what the law is, or should be in various practice areas - for example - most jurisdictions have adopted the ABA Model Rules for Ethics. But once a jurisdiction adopts the model rules, it is up to those within the profession in that jurisdiction to enforce them.

As to who has disciplined them - here's an article that summarizes the actions, as of 9/2024.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/09/26/kenneth-chesebro-charged-in-wisconsin-here-are-all-the-former-trump-lawyers-now-facing-legal-consequences/

Do I think there should have been more, and harsher consequences - yes.

But if you're angry about that - file an ethics complaint against the folks you believe should be punished more harshly. Anyone can file an ethics complaint, and the Ethics committee (whatever it is named) in that jurisdiciton is obligated to investigate.

Just get your facts straight before you pile on against an organization that is currently speaking out very strongly against the current administration on the basis of things you imagine they refused to do in the past, when they had zero power to do so