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Chief's Corner


The ACCD gathers once again in our Nation's Capitol to discuss issues of great importance to the defender community. Specifically, chief and deputy-chief defenders will meet with members of Congress to discuss federal legislation on Law Student Loan Forgiveness.

Law Student Loan Forgiveness


Loan Forgiveness for defenders and prosecutors is back before the 109th U.S. Congress, but may take the form of a tax credit for eligible attorneys rather than the subsidies contained in previous legislation. The Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act (HR 198), introduced in the House by Representative David Scott (D-Ga.), contains the same language previously considered in bills sponsored by Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill.). NLADA has the National District Attorney Association (NDAA) as a partner on this effort, and the current thought is to try for an earmark in an appropriation bill at the end of the session allowing for a full tax credit deduction from owed federal income taxes. Our tactic at this point should continue to enlist cosponsors of H.R.198 with the understanding that our goal of providing relief from staggering student loans will be pursued in the manner that appears most politically promising.

ABA Ethics Inquiry Update


NLADA has been informed that the American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility considered the request for a Formal Ethics Opinion concerning excessive Public Defender caseloads at the ABA Midyear Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT. Our request for an ethics opinion from the ABA on the obligations of overburdened public defenders was discussed during the Ethics Committee’s January 12 teleconference. At that time, the Committee decided that Ethics Counsel George Kuhlman would take the lead in drafting a letter for the Committee’s review noting applicable previous ABA ethics opinions, which was presented to the Committee at its February 11-12 meeting. We anticipate a further response from the Standing Committee's Chair, Charles E. McCallum, in the days following the Standing Committee's February meeting and will brief the ACCD on any developments from that conversation.


For more information on Chief's Corner, contact Ross Shepard, Director of Defender Legal Services, NLADA.
(202) 452-0620 x212
r.shepard@nlada.org
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