American Bar Association Slashes Budget

The American Bar Association slashed its planned operating budget for 2020, a practice that’s become common in recent years as it struggles with declining revenue.

“We can’t cut our way to success,” said Executive Director Jack L. Rives on Monday at the group’s convention in San Francisco.

The ABA Board of Governors has approved a planned annual general operating budget of $82 million, Rives said. The budget has been cut by tens of millions in recent years.

But Rives noted that early returns are positive for the group, and it has met 48% of its dues revenue goal for Fiscal ...