Voluntary Committee of Lawyers
Encyclopedia
The original Voluntary Committee of Lawyers (VCL) was founded in 1927 to bring about the repeal of prohibition
and the Volstead Act
. With its urging, the American Bar Association
called for repeal in 1928. Under the leadership of Joseph H. Choate, Jr.
, lawyers in every state were actively involved in working to bring about repeal, which occurred in 1933. At that time, the VCL closed its books and ceased to exist.
The modern Voluntary Committee of Lawyers was incorporated in 1996, established through its Founding Committee, including former U.S. Attorneys General Elliot Richardson
and Nicholas Katzenbach
, former American Bar Association President George Bushnell, former Third Federal Circuit Chief Judge A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. and the celebrated labor lawyer Theodore W. Kheel
. The modern VCL was inspired by the same group of its name, but now focuses on the modern war on drugs.
Today the VCL is an association of lawyers and judges who share misgivings about the wisdom and consequences of the perpetual War on Drugs. The VCL is promoting, both within the legal profession and beyond, an informed and honest examination of the costs of current drug policies in economic, political and social terms. The VCL currently works by establishing projects or committees within organized bar associations, and as a membership association for lawyers and judges.
Repeal of Prohibition
The Repeal of Prohibition in the United States was accomplished with the passage of the Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution on December 5, 1933.-Background:...
and the Volstead Act
Volstead Act
The National Prohibition Act, known informally as the Volstead Act, was the enabling legislation for the Eighteenth Amendment which established prohibition in the United States...
. With its urging, the American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
called for repeal in 1928. Under the leadership of Joseph H. Choate, Jr.
Joseph H. Choate, Jr.
Joseph H. Choate, Jr. chaired the Voluntary Committee of Lawyers, a group established in 1927 that promoted the repeal of prohibition...
, lawyers in every state were actively involved in working to bring about repeal, which occurred in 1933. At that time, the VCL closed its books and ceased to exist.
The modern Voluntary Committee of Lawyers was incorporated in 1996, established through its Founding Committee, including former U.S. Attorneys General Elliot Richardson
Elliot Richardson
Elliot Lee Richardson was an American lawyer and politician who was a member of the cabinet of Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. As U.S...
and Nicholas Katzenbach
Nicholas Katzenbach
Nicholas deBelleville Katzenbach is an American lawyer who served as United States Attorney General during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration.-Early life:...
, former American Bar Association President George Bushnell, former Third Federal Circuit Chief Judge A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. and the celebrated labor lawyer Theodore W. Kheel
Theodore W. Kheel
Theodore Woodrow Kheel was an American attorney and labor mediator who played a key role in reaching resolutions of long-simmering labor disputes between managements and unions and resulting strikes in New York City and elsewhere in the United States, including the 114-day long 1962-63 New York...
. The modern VCL was inspired by the same group of its name, but now focuses on the modern war on drugs.
Today the VCL is an association of lawyers and judges who share misgivings about the wisdom and consequences of the perpetual War on Drugs. The VCL is promoting, both within the legal profession and beyond, an informed and honest examination of the costs of current drug policies in economic, political and social terms. The VCL currently works by establishing projects or committees within organized bar associations, and as a membership association for lawyers and judges.
Sources
- Evans, Richard M. The Original Voluntary Committee of Lawyers (1927–1933). VCL website http://www.vcl.org