By Archie Boan
The President of the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) is set to embark on a month-long official visit to the United States.
According to the LNBA, the visit is aimed at fostering strategic engagements with several major U.S. bar associations, including the American Bar Association (ABA), the New York City Bar Association, and the Colorado Bar Association.
The LNBA President, who was recently nominated by President Boakai to serve as the chairperson of the Liberia Law Reform Commission, is expected to participate in high-level discussions focused on continuing legal education (CLE), resource mobilization, and legal reform.
Key agenda items will include the design and rollout of CLE programs for Liberian lawyers, securing essential technological equipment such as laptops and desktops, and participating in workshops on how lawyers can serve as change agents by promoting and upholding the rule of law.
“This visit represents a significant opportunity for Liberia’s legal profession,” the LNBA President stated before departure. “By expanding cooperation with U.S. bar associations, we aim to enhance professional development, promote adherence to the rule of law, and build stronger institutional capacity for our legal community.”
Legal analysts have described the visit as a landmark moment for Liberia’s legal profession, especially as the LNBA continues to push for stronger legal education and judicial independence amid growing national calls for reform and transparency in public institutions.
Supporting Legal Reform at Home
Meanwhile, the LNBA has praised President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. for his recent nomination of Cllr. Jallah A. Varmah as Chairman of the Law Reform Commission (LRC)—a critical agency responsible for reviewing, updating, and modernizing Liberia’s legal code.
Cllr. Varmah, who has served in multiple high-profile legal roles, called the appointment an “honor and a call to national service.” He pledged to work collaboratively with fellow commissioners, the National Legislature, and key justice sector stakeholders to ensure that Liberia’s legal framework reflects modern realities and continues to protect the rights of all citizens.
“I am deeply grateful for the confidence reposed in me by the President,” said Cllr. Varmah. “This is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s democratic growth through a modern, transparent, and responsive legal system.”
The LNBA described the nomination as timely, noting that a well-resourced and empowered Law Reform Commission is essential for promoting good governance, justice delivery, and legal clarity in a fast-changing national and global environment.
As the LNBA President engages U.S. legal institutions and as the Law Reform Commission welcomes new leadership, observers say the moment offers a unique chance for meaningful progress in Liberia’s justice sector.
Both developments, they argue, represent promising steps toward building a legal system that is more accountable, transparent, and aligned with international best practices.
The Liberian National Bar Association is the umbrella organization for all practicing lawyers in Liberia. It remains committed to promoting legal education, defending the rule of law, and protecting the integrity of the legal profession.
