The American Bar Association (ABA) is the largest voluntary professional organization for lawyers in the United States, founded on August 21, 1878, in Saratoga Springs, New York, by 75 lawyers from 20 states and the District of Columbia. Established in response to the need for a national code of legal ethics and a forum to discuss emerging legal issues, the ABA emerged during a time when the legal profession was largely composed of sole practitioners trained through apprenticeships, lacking standardized national guidelines. Its creation represented a multistate initiative to promote uniform legal codes, ethical standards, and reforms in the legal system. Over the years, the ABA has evolved into a key influencer in legal education, professional development, and policy advocacy, adopting standards for legal education in 1921 that eventually led to law school accreditation processes. The ABA's primary activities include setting academic standards for law schools, formulating model ethical codes for the legal profession, and providing resources for professional growth, such as continuing legal education, specialized sections for fields like antitrust and taxation, and advocacy for the rule of law. It serves as a lobbying and support organization for attorneys, working to eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and increase public understanding of the legal process both domestically and internationally. Membership is open to lawyers and law students, with dues-paying members numbering around 194,000 as of fiscal year 2017 (approximately 24.4% of U.S. attorneys), though estimates vary: about 400,000 total members in 2016 and roughly 150,000 paying members for 2024–2025. The organization operates through various branches and publications, offering benefits like career support and policy white papers on topics such as digital assets. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the ABA remains committed to defending liberty and pursuing justice, as encapsulated in its motto 'Defending Liberty, Pursuing Justice®.' It continues to shape the legal landscape by addressing contemporary issues, including disability employment awareness and business law innovations, while maintaining its role as a non-jurisdictional national body that influences but does not regulate the profession directly.