American Bar Association

The American Bar Association (ABA) is a voluntary bar association of lawyers which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important non-controversial activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation of model legal codes, of which the most important is a code of ethical standards for lawyers (see Watergate scandal for more information). The Model Code of Professional Responsibility (1969) and/or the newer Model Rules of Professional Conduct (1983) have been adopted in 49 state jurisdictions and the District of Columbia. The only exception is California, which has refused to adopt either (see State Bar of California), although a few sections of the California Rules of Professional Responsibility were clearly influenced by the ABA models.

See also

• Attorney at Law
• ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct
• ABA digital signature guidelines