Lawyers have long advocated for the four goals of the ABA: serving its members, improving legal profession, eliminating bias and increasing diversity and upholding rule of law.
Policy development, discussion and creation are integral parts of an association’s operations; however, acting strategically requires outreach and engagement activities.
Goal I: SERVE OUR MEMBERS
The American Bar Association strives to meet its members’ needs by upholding justice, professional excellence and respect for law. Through programs such as accrediting law schools, veting federal judges and encouraging uniform state laws, this Association offers guidance for legal practice and ethics while championing high standards of legal education.
As part of its commitment to inclusive participation, the American Bar Association promotes full participation of all persons within our association, profession and justice system by working to eliminate bias against members and the public based on race, religion, gender national origin or sex; sexual orientation/gender identity or any other factor. ABA also advocates for legislation prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation/gender identity within employment, housing credit and public accommodations as well as federal funding education or jury service contracts.
The American Bar Association strives to foster diversity within its membership by offering pathways for leadership and career advancement for new and young lawyers from a range of backgrounds – women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ attorneys, solo/small firm lawyers as well as government and military lawyers – both as solo/small firm attorneys as well as government/military lawyers. Furthermore, the ABA facilitates transition from Division membership into continued affiliation with Association entities like Sections or Divisions.
Goal II: IMPROVE THE LEGAL PROFESSION
The American Bar Association has numerous programs in place that aim to improve the legal profession, such as advocating for higher standards in law schools, working toward eliminating any instances of bias within legal systems, providing universal access to legal services and supporting global respect for the Rule of Law.
One such effort from the American Bar Association to strengthen legal professionalism is its recent report on lawyer well-being, which included recommendations such as de-emphasizing alcohol’s role at lawyer social events, combatting rising incivility among attorneys, and creating a law firm wellness index.
The American Bar Association works to support and promote an inclusive legal workforce and prevent discrimination against people with disabilities, as well as to address the “glass house problem,” where women and minorities remain underrepresented at many law firms. Furthermore, its efforts include encouraging pro bono work while simultaneously encouraging diversity and inclusion initiatives and advocating equality for all.
Goal III: ELIMINATE BIAS AND ENHANCE DIVERSITY
The American Bar Association strives to reduce bias and increase diversity within its membership, the legal profession and justice system. Their efforts towards this end include various projects and programs such as holding other governments accountable for mistreating citizens to guaranteeing everyone access to high quality legal services.
The American Bar Association strives to help lawyers and law students make a decent living, to improve the image of legal professionals worldwide, and promote rule of law around the globe. Part of its efforts towards these ends includes working to ensure courts, law firms and corporations reflect diversity.
Co-sponsor programs with American Bar Association entities such as the Diversity and Inclusion Center, Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession, Commission on Women in the Profession, and Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities; or partner with diverse affinity bar associations and law schools to co-sponsor them. Engage diverse members as planners, speakers and attendees of programs.
Goal IV: ADVANCE THE RULE OF LAW
In an ever-more-complex world, the ABA strives to hold governments accountable under law and provide legal representation for every citizen – no matter their level of government. Furthermore, they seek to uphold laws which protect everyone’s rights whether as criminal defendant or civil plaintiff.
Even with these accomplishments, however, the American Bar Association remains out of touch with its membership. Their resistance to change can be seen through mounting student debt levels, decreased applications and enrollment at law schools, as well as graduates lacking either practice skills nor business savvy required for success in practice or business.
