<P> The American Bar Association ( ABA ) , founded August 21 , 1878 , is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students , which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States . The ABA 's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools , and the formulation of model ethical codes related to the legal profession . The ABA has 410,000 members . Its national headquarters are in Chicago , Illinois ; it also maintains a significant branch office in Washington , D.C. </P>
what is the purpose of the american bar association
setting of academic standards for law schools the formulation of model ethical codes related to the legal profession