Linda Coberly Addresses the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates in Support of its Ground-Breaking ERA Resolution

On August 6, 2024, Winston’s Litigation Department Co-Chair Linda Coberly addressed the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates in support of its resolution on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).

Linda urged the policymaking body to support the resolution, explaining that “the ERA’s equality guarantee is just as important today as it was 100 years ago when it was first introduced in Congress.” She added that, “we can and should recognize the ERA as lawyers in accordance with our promise to uphold and protect the Constitution, including the process it establishes for amendment, which has now been met by the Equal Rights Amendment with the last three ratifications.”

The resolution—which passed with overwhelming support—addresses four key points:

1. The ABA supports the principle that any time limit for ratification of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution is not consistent with Article V of the Constitution.
2. The ABA supports the principle that Article V does not permit a state to rescind its ratification of an amendment.
3. The ABA urges all levels of government to support implementation of the ERA to the Constitution.
4. The ABA urges all bar associations and the legal community to support implementation of the ERA.

Linda is a well-known expert on the ERA, having served on the board of the ERA Coalition and as chair of its Legal Task Force, which is made up of lawyers and constitutional scholars. She also leads Winston’s pro bono efforts to support recognition of the ERA through research, advocacy, and amicus briefs.

Learn more about Winston’s support of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Watch Linda’s address here (at the 12:00 minute mark).