Knowledge powers the pursuit of justice.
- News
July 14, 2025
The American Bar Foundation (ABF) announced today that Mark C. Suchman stepped down as its Executive Director effective July 11, 2025. The ABF expressed gratitude for Professor Suchman’s nearly two years of dedicated service and contributions to the organization’s scholarly mission. Under his leadership, the ABF has continued to provide… Read More
American Bar Foundation
We conduct research that explores the intersection of
law and society—to expand knowledge and advance justice.
Our groundbreaking research is used to:
Spark conversations
about the world's
most pressing issues
most pressing issues
Shape law and policy
by informing lawmakers,
practitioners, and the judiciary
practitioners, and the judiciary
Influence societies
in the U.S. and
across the world
across the world
Featured Research
In the News
- News
ABF Scholars to Present Research at the 2025 Law and Society Association Annual Meeting
May 9, 2025
The Law and Society Assocation Annual Meeting presents an unparalleled opportunity for sociolegal scholars to connect and exchange ideas across many disciplines and academic backgrounds. This year’s Annual Meeting, to be held in Chicago, Illinois May 22-25, will feature presentations from over fifty current and former… Read More
- News
The ABF and CJRI Host Joint Symposium on Plaintiff-Side Litigation for Scholars and Practitioners
March 20, 2025
The American Bar Foundation (ABF), in collaboration with the UC Berkeley School of Law Civil Justice Research Initiative (CJRI), with additional support from the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Robert L. Habush Endowment, hosted the symposium Plaintiff-Side Litigation: Scholars and Practitioners in Dialogue. Read More
- News
Fellows CLE Examines the Role of Non-Lawyers in Expanding Access to Justice
February 14, 2025
At the 2025 ABA Midyear Meeting, legal experts gathered to debate a critical question: Should people facing civil legal issues be denied help entirely if they cannot afford a lawyer, or should trained non-lawyers be allowed to assist? The ABF Fellows CLE Program, titled… Read More
Featured Events
August 06, 2025
Registration Now Open!
ABF Fellows to Gather for Special Events During the ABA Annual Meeting
FELLOWS EVENT
In-Person
Upcoming Events
More
Criminal Justice and Criminology, Loyola University Chicago
More information coming soon!
Hybrid: Virtual/In-Person
(ABF Offices, 750 N Lake Shore Drive, 4th Floor Chicago, IL)
Sociology and Law, The University of Tennessee Knoxville
More information coming soon!
Hybrid: Virtual/In-Person
(ABF Offices, 750 N Lake Shore Drive, 4th Floor Chicago, IL)
Featured Researcher
Stephen Daniels
ABF Research Professor Emeritus
Stephen Daniels is a Research Professor Emeritus at the American Bar Foundation. His ABF research project, Alternative Legal Professionals, examines legal technician programs, which license non-lawyers to practice certain aspects of law in a limited capacity with the goal of expanding access to legal services at a more affordable cost. In this feature, Daniels discusses how this concept emerged, spread, and continues to evolve across multiple states.
- Podcasts
Episode 8: Season One Finale: When Law Meets Society
The season finale of Season 1 of Whose Law is it Anyway explores the impact of ABF's research with former Executive Director, Ajay K. Mehrotra.
- Videos
Shaping the Future of Sociolegal Research: ABF Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships
Watch to learn more about the ABF Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships.