The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation
The Fellows comprise a global honorary society of attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars whose public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the highest principles of the legal profession and to the welfare of their communities. Membership in the Fellows is limited to one percent of lawyers licensed to practice in each jurisdiction. Fellows are recommended by their peers and elected by the Board of the American Bar Foundation. Established in 1955, Fellows support the research of the American Bar Foundation through annual contributions and sponsor seminars and events of direct relevance to the legal profession.

The American Bar Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions to the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation are fully tax deductible and are not refundable. No goods or services are promised or provided in exchange for a contribution. If an error is made in the amount contributed, please notify the American Bar Foundation within 21 days. A new receipt will be issued if an adjustment is required.
What does it mean to be a Fellow?
Fellows News
- Professor Susan Bandes, Illinois Fellow, Publishes "The Death Penalty and the Misleading Concept of 'Closure'"
- Jan 26, 2021
- Preston M. Torbert, Illinois Patron Fellow, Publishes "Because It Is Wrong: An Essay on the Immorality and Illegality of the Online Service Contracts of Google and Facebook" in Case Western Journal
- Jan 19, 2021
- Nancy Andrade, Illinois Fellow, Appointed Commissioner for the Chicago Commission on Human Relations
- Jan 15, 2021
- Rafael Zahralddin, Delaware Life Fellow, Selected as One of Philadelphia Business Journal's "Best of the Bar 2020"
- Dec 14, 2020
Fellows in the news archives »
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Fellows who wish to submit nominations please click here.