On August 21, 1878, a significant event in legal history took place. Seventy-five lawyers from twenty states and the District of Columbia gathered in Saratoga Springs, New York, to establish what would later become the largest voluntary professional association of lawyers in the United States: the American Bar Association (ABA). At that time, the legal profession was quite fragmented. Most lawyers were sole practitioners who had been trained through apprenticeships, and there was neither a national code of ethics nor a unified organization to address the increasing complexities of legal practice.

Purpose and Early Mission

The ABA’s first constitution had a bold goal: to advance jurisprudence, improve justice, and promote consistent laws nationwide. It aimed to raise standards in the profession, encourage ethical behavior, and create a national forum for legal issues.

Key Milestones in ABA History

• 1918 – Inclusion of Women: Judge Mary Belle Grossman and Mary Florence Lathrop became the first women admitted to the ABA.
• 1943 – End of Racial Exclusion: After decades of exclusionary practices, the ABA began admitting African American members, a change spurred by public criticism and internal dissent.
• 1921 – Legal Education Standards: The ABA adopted formal standards for law schools, paving the way for its law school accreditation authority established in 1952.
• 1974 – Legal Services Corporation: The ABA played a key role in establishing this federally funded nonprofit, which provides civil legal aid to low-income Americans.
• 1990 – Rule of Law Initiative: After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the ABA launched programs to promote legal reform and strengthen justice systems worldwide.

Influence on the Legal Profession

One of the ABA’s most significant roles has been its authority to accredit U.S. law schools, a function recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Graduation from an ABA-accredited law school is a prerequisite to sitting for the bar exam in most states. The organization also develops model rules of professional conduct, which many jurisdictions adopt or adapt as their own ethics codes.

The ABA has been a voice in shaping public policy, advocating for access to justice, and defending the rule of law. It has weighed in on issues from civil rights to judicial independence, and its committees evaluate federal judicial nominees — a process that, while sometimes criticized, remains influential.

Over the decades, the ABA has worked to improve diversity in the legal profession, eliminate bias, and expand opportunities for public service. Initiatives such as the Commission on Women in the Profession and the Rule of Law Initiative demonstrate their broader mission, extending beyond the scope of membership benefits.

Today’s ABA

Currently, it is based in Chicago with a branch office in Washington, D.C. The ABA supports hundreds of thousands of members by providing continuing legal education, professional networking opportunities, advocacy resources, and career development services.