The American Bar Foundation is deeply saddened to share news of the passing of William H. “Bill” Neukom, esteemed Philanthropist Fellow, former ABF Board Member, and tireless advocate for equity, justice, and the rule of law.
Throughout his career, Neukom made profound contributions to the legal profession and the institutions that uphold it. His longstanding relationship with the ABF reflected his belief in the power of research to drive progress. Neukom made pivotal lead investments to establish the William H. Neukom Fellows Research Chair in Diversity and Law (Neukom Chair) in 2014 and the biennial William C. Hubbard Conference on Law and Education in 2020—both of which continue to foster innovative scholarship.
The Neukom Chair is a year-long visiting position that supports an exceptional scholar conducting research on legal and social issues contributing to inequities in the law and legal processes. Each Neukom Chair has investigated the experiences of vulnerable groups, including women, people of color, people with disabilities, and people from the LGBTQ community. While projects undertaken by Neukom Chairs vary, they all converge on the theme of promoting a more just society.
The William C. Hubbard Conference on Law and Education, launched in 2022 with Neukom’s leadership and generosity, honors the contributions of fellow ABF champion William C. Hubbard, Neukom’s longtime friend and collaborator. The conference provides a space for dialogue on the role of law and education in a healthy democracy. On the 2024 Hubbard Conference at Stanford University, Neukom noted vigilance was more important than ever: “I’m thrilled to offer, with the American Bar Foundation, an opportunity to think through these challenges and the approaches we can take to resolve them.”
Hubbard, Dean and Professor of Law at the University of South Carolina School of Law, reflected, “Bill Neukom was a strong believer in the mission of the ABF. In all his endeavors, he believed in the vital importance of rigorous, empirical research as the foundation for smart decision-making. Bill’s overarching passion was to support and strengthen the rule of law. He saw the work of the ABF at the intersection of law and society as particularly useful in making the case for the rule of law. In fact, before Bill launched the World Justice Project, he relied heavily on then–Executive Director Bob Nelson and the ABF to provide a solid empirical basis for the premise that the rule of law is the foundation for communities of justice, opportunity, and peace. As the World Justice Project expanded its reach and impact, Bill regularly credited ABF for its significant contribution.”
Neukom cofounded the World Justice Project in 2006 with Hubbard as a presidential initiative of the American Bar Association. With support from the ABA, the American Bar Foundation, and other partners, the World Justice Project became a leading force in strengthening the rule of law globally. Its initiatives, including the Rule of Law Index and the World Justice Forum, continue to guide researchers and policymakers working to advance accountable governance around the world.
ABF Research Professor and former Executive Director Robert L. Nelson reflected on Neukom’s impact: “Bill Neukom was an extraordinary leader. I had the great honor of working with him in the founding period of the World Justice Project and the development of the Rule of Law Index. He also was the lead donor for the William H. Neukom Fellows Research Chair in Diversity and Law. Those projects, as so many of his other works, will continue to make important contributions to the profession, the law, and the world.”
Said Tom Ginsburg, ABF Research Professor and cochair of the World Justice Project’s Research Consortium, “Bill was a true visionary with an unwavering commitment to the idea and institutions of the rule of law. As he was constructing the World Justice Program Rule of Law Index, he reached out to social scientists at the ABF for cutting-edge knowledge, and we became close collaborators. He built a tremendous organization and was a true partner to the ABF. We’ve lost a lion for justice.”
Neukom’s extraordinary legal career began at Stanford Law School, where he earned a JD in 1967. He served as Microsoft’s first general counsel during the company’s formative years, overseeing its legal department as it grew from a dozen employees to more than six hundred and guiding the company through landmark intellectual property disputes. After leaving Microsoft, Neukom returned to private practice at Preston Gates & Ellis (now K&L Gates) and later taught on the rule of law at Stanford Law School. In 2022, Stanford further honored his legacy by launching the Neukom Center for the Rule of Law. Neukom also served as President of the ABA from 2007 to 2008 and received the ABA Medal—the Association’s highest honor—in 2020 in recognition of his service.
The American Bar Foundation is honored to have been part of Bill Neukom’s extraordinary legacy. We extend heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all inspired by his life and work.
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About the American Bar Foundation
The American Bar Foundation (ABF) is the world’s leading research institute for the empirical and interdisciplinary study of law. The ABF seeks to expand knowledge and advance justice through innovative, interdisciplinary, and rigorous empirical research on law, legal processes, and legal institutions. To further this mission the ABF will produce timely, cutting-edge research of the highest quality to inform and guide the legal profession, the academy, and society in the United States and internationally. The ABF’s primary funding is provided by the American Bar Endowment and the Fellows of The American Bar Foundation.