The American Bar Association (ABA) is the largest voluntary professional association of lawyers and law students in the United States. Founded in 1878, it works to improve the administration of justice, promote the rule of law, set standards for legal education and professional conduct, provide continuing legal education and resources to members, and advocate on matters affecting the legal profession and the justice system.
Developing and promoting standards for legal education and law school accreditation; professional ethics and lawyer discipline; access to justice and pro bono services; judicial independence and selection processes; civil liberties and criminal justice reform; court and regulatory rule reform; continuing legal education and practice standards.
Primarily membership dues, continuing legal education and conference fees, publications and accreditation fees, grants and donations, and corporate or organizational sponsorships.
State and local bar associations, ABA Sections and Divisions (for example the Section of Litigation and the Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice), affiliated foundations and endowments, and past ABA leaders and prominent legal scholars.
Non-profit professional association (voluntary bar association)
