Page 166 - Leaders in Legal Business - PDF - Final 2018
P. 166
Chapter 6 – The American Bar
Association
Hilarie Bass1
President, American Bar
Association
The original Constitution of the American Bar Association defined the purpose of the
ABA as being for “the advancement of the science of jurisprudence, the promotion of the
administration of justice and a uniformity of legislation throughout the country.”
While this Constitution still considerably shapes the focus of the ABA, today’s legal
profession is very different from what it was when the ABA was first formed 140 years ago in
Saratoga Springs, New York. When 75 lawyers from 20 states and the District of Columbia met
to create the American Bar Association on August 21, 1878, there was no national code of
ethics.2 Most lawyers practiced solo. There were no universal standards for law schools because
most lawyers did not have law degrees, and attending law school at that time was rare. Young
lawyers learned their craft through
apprenticeships and by reading classic
legal texts. Improving diversity within the
profession was almost certainly not a topic
of conversation.
Today, the ABA is as committed as
ever to improving the justice system and
the rule of law. It works to serve its
members, the legal profession, and the
public by defending liberty and pursuing
justice as the national voice of the legal
profession.
Goal I: Serve Our Members.
Objective:
1. Provide benefits, programs, and services that promote members’ professional
growth and quality of life.
1 Hilarie Bass is one of the most recognized women attorneys in the United States. Bass is president of the American Bar Association, and as co-
president of international law firm Greenberg Traurig, she helps chart the course for the multi-practice firm with approximately 2,000 attorneys
across 38 offices worldwide. She serves on the firm’s Executive Committee and previously served an eight-year term as national chair of its 600-
member litigation department. She is also the founder and former chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Women's Initiative. Bass has successfully
represented high-profile corporate clients in jury and non-jury trials involving hundreds of millions of dollars in controversy. She has worked and
settled more than 100 cases, tried more than 20 cases to conclusion, and argued numerous appeals. In recognition of that success, she was
inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers. She is widely recognized for her pro bono work on behalf of two foster children that led to
the elimination and declaration as unconstitutional Florida’s 20-year-old ban on gay adoption.
2 AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, http://www.americanbar.org/about_the_aba/history.html.
152
Association
Hilarie Bass1
President, American Bar
Association
The original Constitution of the American Bar Association defined the purpose of the
ABA as being for “the advancement of the science of jurisprudence, the promotion of the
administration of justice and a uniformity of legislation throughout the country.”
While this Constitution still considerably shapes the focus of the ABA, today’s legal
profession is very different from what it was when the ABA was first formed 140 years ago in
Saratoga Springs, New York. When 75 lawyers from 20 states and the District of Columbia met
to create the American Bar Association on August 21, 1878, there was no national code of
ethics.2 Most lawyers practiced solo. There were no universal standards for law schools because
most lawyers did not have law degrees, and attending law school at that time was rare. Young
lawyers learned their craft through
apprenticeships and by reading classic
legal texts. Improving diversity within the
profession was almost certainly not a topic
of conversation.
Today, the ABA is as committed as
ever to improving the justice system and
the rule of law. It works to serve its
members, the legal profession, and the
public by defending liberty and pursuing
justice as the national voice of the legal
profession.
Goal I: Serve Our Members.
Objective:
1. Provide benefits, programs, and services that promote members’ professional
growth and quality of life.
1 Hilarie Bass is one of the most recognized women attorneys in the United States. Bass is president of the American Bar Association, and as co-
president of international law firm Greenberg Traurig, she helps chart the course for the multi-practice firm with approximately 2,000 attorneys
across 38 offices worldwide. She serves on the firm’s Executive Committee and previously served an eight-year term as national chair of its 600-
member litigation department. She is also the founder and former chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Women's Initiative. Bass has successfully
represented high-profile corporate clients in jury and non-jury trials involving hundreds of millions of dollars in controversy. She has worked and
settled more than 100 cases, tried more than 20 cases to conclusion, and argued numerous appeals. In recognition of that success, she was
inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers. She is widely recognized for her pro bono work on behalf of two foster children that led to
the elimination and declaration as unconstitutional Florida’s 20-year-old ban on gay adoption.
2 AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, http://www.americanbar.org/about_the_aba/history.html.
152
