American Bar Association

The ABA was founded in 1878 on a commitment to set the legal and ethical foundation for the American nation. Today, it exists as a membership organization and stands committed to its mission of defending liberty and pursuing justice.

Their Vision

The ABA established the Rule of Law Initiative (ROLI) in 2007 to consolidate its five overseas rule of law programs, including the Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (CEELI), which it created in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

For more than 30 years, and through our work in more than 100 countries, the ABA ROLI and our partners have sought to strengthen legal institutions, to support legal professionals, to foster respect for human rights and to advance public understanding of the law and of citizen rights.In collaboration with our in-country partners—including government ministries, judges, lawyers, bar associations, law schools, court administrators, legislatures and civil society organizations—we design programs that are responsive to local needs and that prioritize sustainable solutions to pressing rule of law challenges. We employ rigorous and innovative monitoring and evaluation approaches in assessing the quality and effectiveness of our programs.ABA ROLI has roughly 500 professional staff working in the United States and abroad, including a cadre of short- and long-term volunteers and legal specialists, who contributed more than $350 million in pro bono legal assistance.

The American Bar Association is #ForAll

ABA History

Founded in 1878, the ABA is committed to advancing the rule of law across the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, law school accreditation, model ethics codes and more.

1921

The ABA adopts standards for legal education, which leads, in 1952, to law school accreditation.

1957

At Rhyne’s urging, President Eisenhower proclaims first national Law Day for May 1, 1958.

1974

The ABA is instrumental in passage of federal legislation to create the Legal Services Corporation.

1990

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the ABA establishes what will become the Rule of Law Initiative.

1995

The ABA saw a series of leadership firsts: Roberta Cooper Ramo as the first female ABA president (1995), William G. Paul as the first Native American male ABA president (1999), Dennis Archer as the first African American male ABA president (2003), Stephen N. Zack as the first Hispanic male ABA president (2010), Paulette Brown as the first African American female ABA president (2015), and Mary Smith as the first Native American female president (2023).

American Bar Association

American Bar Association

Their Vision

The American Bar Association is #ForAll

ABA History

1921

1957

1974

1990

1995

2024