Legal Commentary

I belatedly turn the mic over to ABA president William Neukom:

        Dear Fellow Lawyer,

Each day, evidence mounts that pressure brought by Americans and people of other nations is forcing Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf to soften his assault on the rule of law. But he has failed to address some of his most destructive actions.

On Dec. 13, I will present a petition signed by concerned lawyers and judges to Pakistan?s Ambassador in Washington, D.C. I ask you to add your name to that petition.

In recent weeks, America?s lawyers and judges have responded in extraordinary ways to support their colleagues in Pakistan. If you do nothing else, sign this petition. But I also ask you to take one additional step. Please send this petition to friends and colleagues, with your own thoughts about why the rule of law matters.

I urge you not to look aside, as if standing up for the rule of law is somebody else?s job. Add your name, be seen and be counted. When I meet with Pakistan?s embassy on Dec. 13, I will carry your voices. Speaking together, the lawyers and judges of America will be heard.

? William Neukom,
American Bar Association President

I suspect they could still use your signatures.

Here's a press release about the 12/13 rally.

Also related:

? Our colleagues at The National Law Journal have selected Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, chief justice of Pakistan, as Lawyer of the Year.

"[He] is not exactly a household name to the legal profession in the United States. We think he should be.

Chaudhry, the chief justice of Pakistan who was dismissed from office by President Pervez Musharraf after the imposition of emergency rule, has been a strong voice for the preservation of the rule of law in Pakistan ? one of the United States' key allies in the war on terror."

? The ABA Journal drew some heat for its selection of Alberto Gonzalez for its Lawyer of the Year, and then quickly changed the title to Newsmaker of the Year.