AILA Public Statements, Press Releases

AILA National Ethics Committee Unveils Comprehensive Compendium for Immigration Lawyers

10/10/24 AILA Doc. No. 24101064. Ethics
CONTACTS:
George Tzamaras
202-507-7649
gtzamaras@aila.org
Belle Woods
202-507-7675
bwoods@aila.org

 
WASHINGTON, DC
– The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is proud to announce the release of the newly revised AILA Ethics Compendium: Modern Legal Ethics for Immigration Lawyers. This comprehensive guide is designed to assist both experienced and novice immigration lawyers in navigating the complex ethical issues that arise in their practice. For the first time, it is available in print to AILA members and nonmembers alike.

The AILA Ethics Compendium is a decade-long project brought to fruition by the dedicated efforts of the AILA National Ethics Committee. It provides an in-depth analysis of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct from the perspective of immigration lawyers. The compendium includes real-world hypotheticals, annotations, and commentary on each rule, making it an invaluable resource for legal practitioners.

Key Features of the AILA Ethics Compendium:

  • Comprehensive Coverage: The compendium addresses a wide range of ethical issues specific to anyone practicing immigration law, including the interaction of state ethics rules and federal laws and regulations.
  • Expert Analysis: The compendium is the work of the AILA National Ethics Committee and its esteemed reporters, Sherry K. Cohen, former first deputy chief counsel to New York’s Departmental Disciplinary Committee, and Theo Liebmann, ethics professor at Hofstra Law School.
  • Practical Guidance: Each chapter provides detailed explanations of the ABA Model Rules, key terms, and practical applications through real-world scenarios
  • Accessibility: The compendium is available for free download to AILA members and will also be published as both a printed book and e-book

"The AILA Ethics Compendium is an essential tool for any attorney practicing immigration law, offering guidance on ethical dilemmas that are unique to the field," said Cyrus Mehta, past chair of the AILA National Ethics Committee. "We hope this resource will, help those practicing immigration, and supporting immigration lawyers navigate the complexities of legal ethics with confidence."

The AILA Ethics Compendium has already been utilized as a reference at national conferences, by ethics counsel in guiding clients, and as an educational tool by disciplinary regulators. With its comprehensive and practical approach, the compendium is set to become the premier ethics reference source for immigration practitioners.

As noted, AILA members can access the compendium free digitally here: https://www.aila.org/library/compendium. Those who find having a hardcopy at the ready on their desk can purchase a copy at a discounted member price.

Law libraries or other entities interested in purchasing the compendium can find more information via this link..

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The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.