American Bar Association Elects President of the Pioneer Law Center as Vice Chair of Judicial Division

The Hon. Frank J. Bailey (ret.) will Advance to Chair in 2026

(Boston, Mass.)- The Pioneer Public Interest Law Center today announced that its president, Hon. Frank J. Bailey (ret.) has been elected as the next Vice Chair of the Judicial Division of the American Bar Association  (ABA). Judge Bailey will advance to chair-elect and then chair in 2026.

“The American Bar Association is proud to welcome retired U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank J. Bailey as our Judicial Division’s next Vice Chair, ” said ABA President Bill Bay. “Judge Bailey’s extensive experience and dedication to the rule of law makes him a strong leader for the division. His commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the judiciary today will be vital as we continue to uphold the integrity and independence of our courts.” 

The Judicial Division comprises 3,000 federal, state, tribal and local judges who serve throughout the United States and serves as the “voice of the American judiciary” within the ABA. Bailey was nominated by the National Conference of Federal Trial Judges for election to this role. He follows the Honorable J. Michele Childs of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C Circuit as the nominee of the federal judges.

“It is an honor to be elected as the next Vice Chair of the American Bar Association’s Judicial Division,” said Frank J. Bailey, President of the Pioneer Public Interest Law Center. “In today’s climate, it is imperative that our great judges, court officials and tribal leaders come together to share ideas and innovative solutions as we face new challenges, including AI and judicial security, across the legal system.”

In its capacity, the Judicial Division proposes policy to the ABA House of Delegates, coordinates with the ABA President on public statements regarding issues of importance to the American Judiciary, conducts outreach on judicial education to the public -including high school and college students- and works with law students and young lawyers to advance the rule of law in the U.S. and abroad.

Bailey was a long-time partner of Sherin and Lodgen LLP and an associate at Sullivan & Worcester LLP.  He also served as a law clerk to Chief Justice Herbert P. Wilkins at the SJC.