The American Bar Foundation (ABF) is pleased to announce the adoption of its 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, aimed at furthering its mission to expand knowledge and advance justice through sociolegal research. Formally adopted in July 2024, the plan builds on the ABF’s more than seven decades as the world’s leading research institute for the empirical and interdisciplinary study of law.
Mark Suchman, Executive Director of the ABF, said: “This strategic plan honors our long history as a world leader in sociolegal research, while also strengthening our ability to tackle new challenges and explore new opportunities. It’s about more than maintaining our reputation; it’s about sustaining research with the creativity and depth to spark conversations, inspire innovation, and guide policy and practice worldwide.”
Central to the strategic plan are five key goals—focused on research, community, operations, communication, and development—further refined through three to five strategic priorities. Among the ABF’s greatest strengths is its singular interdisciplinary research community, and the plan prioritizes expanding and nurturing this community through initiatives aimed at hiring, collegial collaboration, and mentorship. It acknowledges the importance of focusing even more strongly on creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all. It charts a path to enhanced outreach through translational research models, partnerships within and beyond the legal community, and elevating the visibility of ABF research to meet the challenges facing our world.
Led by the Strategic Planning Executive Committee (SPEC), cochaired by Suchman and Board President Sandra Chan, the development of the Strategic Plan involved consultation with ABF board, faculty and other members of the research community, staff, and key advisors. An in-depth survey offered initial insights on research, administration, employment practices, workplace culture, and external relations. Extensive meetings and candid discussions provided opportunities to develop many of those insights into a comprehensive five-year plan.
Chan emphasized collaboration across the ABF’s diverse constituencies: “This strategic plan is the result of an open and transparent process that included input from all areas of the ABF. We are immensely grateful to everyone who contributed. The input we received has been instrumental in shaping a plan that will drive our work forward.”
Together, with your support, the ABF is ready to embark on this exciting chapter and invites you to explore Highlights from the American Bar Foundation Strategic Plan.
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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.