The American Bar Association is one of the world’s largest voluntary professional organizations, with over 400,000 members and more than 3,500 entities.  It is committed to doing what only a national association of attorneys can do: serving their members, improving the legal profession, eliminating bias and enhancing diversity, and advancing the rule of law throughout the United States and around the world.

Founded in 1878, the ABA is committed to supporting the legal profession with practical resources for legal professionals while improving the administration of justice, accrediting law schools, establishing model ethical codes, and more.

The American Bar Association Mission and Goals

Mission

To serve equally their members, their profession and the public by defending liberty and delivering justice as the national representative of the legal profession

The ABA achieves its mission through tireless work toward four goals.

Goal I:  Serve Their Members. 
Objective:

1. Provide benefits, programs and services which promote members’ professional growth and quality of life.

Goal II: Improve Their Profession. 
Objectives:

1. Promote the highest quality legal education.
2. Promote competence, ethical conduct and professionalism.
3. Promote pro bono and public service by the legal profession.

Goal III: Eliminate Bias and Enhance Diversity.
Objectives:

1. Promote full and equal participation in the association, their profession, and the justice system by all persons.
2. Eliminate bias in the legal profession and the justice system.

Goal IV:  Advance the Rule of Law. 
Objectives:

1. Increase public understanding of and respect for the rule of law, the legal process, and the role of the legal profession at home and throughout the world.
2. Hold governments accountable under law.
3. Work for just laws, including human rights, and a fair legal process.
4. Assure meaningful access to justice for all persons.
5. Preserve the independence of the legal profession and the judiciary.