Honoring Lawyers Dedicated to the Pursuit of Justice

Since its inception, the American Bar Association has been committed to improving the justice system and educating the public about the role of law in our society. This dedication is illustrated on an individual basis by ABA members around the country who volunteer their time, energy and resources to public service. To honor these individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to improving the justice system, the ABA created the Justice Funds.

Justice Funds are named endowment funds established within the ABA Fund for Justice and Education to honor those lawyers, past and present, whose careers have demonstrated dedication to the pursuit of justice and outstanding service to the profession and the public. By creating a Justice Fund, the ABA forms a lasting tribute to the honored individual, and the income earned from the Justice Fund helps ensure that the Association continues to provide services to those in need.

A Justice Fund may be created when $25,000 or more, payable over the course of five years, has been committed by an individual in his or her name or by donors in recognition of a person's exceptional achievement. The income from a Justice Fund benefits FJE programs as part of the FJE general revenue.

If, with additional contributions, the Justice Fund reaches a designation threshold of $100,000, the annual income from the Justice Fund may be designated to support a restricted FJE activity in an area of particular interest to the individual honored.

The following is a complete list of current Justice Funds. Underlined are those Justice Funds that have reached the designation threshold and are supporting specific FJE programs and projects within the Association.

John P. and Elizabeth P. Bracken Fund: Supporting programs that educate young members of the Bar about the problems locally elected or appointed municipal authorities face. These programs urge young lawyers to community service as advisors to or members of such elected bodies. Programs are developed and offered through the ABA Young Lawyer's Division.

John J. Curtin, Jr. Fund: Supporting programs that provide law-related assistance to the homeless and the poor, including a summer internship program for law students to work with and assist the homeless.

E. Smythe Gambrell Fund: Providing funds for programs and activities in the area of professionalism, including programs of the Special Coordinating Committee on Professionalism and the Center for Professional Responsibility.

Leon Jaworski Fund: Funding high priority public service programs as determined by the Board of Governors, including programs of the Public Education Division.

Thurgood Marshall Fund for Individual Rights: Offers financial support to the Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities and their programs protecting and advancing human rights, civil liberties and social injustice.

Robert B. McKay Fund: Supporting programs in lawyer professionalism, legal education, improvements in and public understanding of the justice system and equal opportunity for all citizens as determined by the Section Council of the Tort and Insurance Practice Section.

Bernard G. and Geraldine R. Segal Fund: Providing support for activities or publications addressing civil rights issues, with the Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities designated as the entity responsible for planning and implementing the projects.

Justin A. Stanley Fund: Funding programs in the area of alternative dispute resolution, including programs that encourage accessible, speedy and equitable mechanisms to resolve disputes.

Karen Susman Fund: Providing support for programs that enhance the professional growth and competence of litigators; promote ethical and professional conduct; assist in providing open, fair and affordable adjudication for all; support a legal profession and a judiciary that is open and hospitable to all; promote public understanding of the legal system; promote justice internationally; secure the vitality of the American system of justice and equal justice for all; and such other FJE programs designated by the Council of the Section of Litigation.

Edward Bennett Williams and Paul R. Connolly Fund: Supporting public interest programs of the Section of Litigation, including providing grants or start-up funding to public interest projects which promote equal justice.