American Bar Association Formed
The American Bar Association (ABA) is the foremost professional organization for attorneys in the United States, established on August 21, 1878, in Saratoga Springs, New York. The formation of the ABA arose from a collective effort to create a national code of legal ethics and to provide a platform for discussing legal issues affecting attorneys across multiple states. At its inception, lawyers from 21 states participated in the founding convention. The ABA's primary mission is to represent the legal profession nationally, advocating for justice, professional excellence, and respect for the law. It operates as a voluntary association, meaning membership is not compulsory, as attorneys are primarily regulated by their respective state bar associations. Despite this, around half of all American attorneys and many judges choose to join the ABA, drawn by its prominence in addressing national legal matters. Membership is open to any attorney in good standing within the U.S., along with some non-attorney professionals involved in the legal field. The ABA actively promotes the development of uniform legal codes, ethical standards, and judicial reform, while also providing support and resources tailored to various legal specialties.
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American Bar Association Formed
American Bar Association Formed
The American Bar Association (ABA), the leading organization for attorneys in the United States, was founded on August 21, 1878, in Saratoga Springs, New York. Its creation was in response to a multistate initiative for a national code of legal ethics and a national body in which to debate legal issues facing American attorneys. Lawyers representing 21 states were present at the organizing convention.
According to its charter, which has remained largely intact to the present day, the primary purpose of the ABA is “to be the national representative of the legal profession, serving the public and the profession by promoting justice, professional excellence and respect for the law.” As such, the ABA is a voluntary association. Membership is not mandatory, since attorneys are licensed and regulated by the bar associations of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the various American territories and possessions. Even though the ABA cannot effectively regulate or discipline its members, it has achieved prominence as the leading organization for national legal issues, and so roughly half of all American attorneys and a considerable number of judges belong to it even though they are not required to do so.
ABA membership is open to any attorney admitted to practice and in good standing with the bar association of any state, territory, or other jurisdiction within the United States. Certain nonlawyers, like court personnel and law librarians, are also eligible to join as associates.
The ABA has nearly half a million members. It works to promote uniform legal codes among the states, establish standardized codes of ethics and rules of practice, and reform inadequacies in the legal system. It also functions as a lobbying and support organization for lawyers. For example, a wide variety of specialized ABA branches serve attorneys that practice in such diverse fields as antitrust and taxation.