American Bar Foundation

Chicago, IL · Founded 1952

Independent research institute conducting empirical studies on law, legal processes, and legal institutions

Primary audience
Legal Professionals
Work area
Research
Topic
Law and Justice
Contact
Bryant Garth
Website Contact

About Organization

The American Bar Foundation conducts interdisciplinary empirical research on law and legal institutions to advance justice and inform the legal profession. Based in Chicago, IL, the organization was founded in 1952 and operates with 55 employees and 102 volunteers. In 2023, the Foundation reported $9.2 million in revenue.

What They Focus On

Empirical Legal Research

Conducting innovative, rigorous research on law, legal processes, and legal institutions using social science methods

Justice Advancement

Expanding knowledge to advance justice and inform policy in the legal profession and society

Legal Education

Supporting legal opportunity and justice education while creating more supportive law school environments

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$9.2M

Expenses (2023)

$8.4M

Assets (2023)

$42.2M

Employees (2023)

55

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2023 $9,200,711 $8,435,191 $42,157,416 55
2022 — — — —
2022 $8,804,741 $8,109,798 $39,551,778 68
2021 $8,543,107 $7,911,819 $34,564,445 73
2020 $9,357,330 $7,419,588 $37,925,650 62
2019 $9,858,156 $6,919,429 $33,961,410 79
2018 $11,200,967 $7,579,460 $31,363,675 95
2017 $8,850,670 $7,569,846 $27,511,560 77

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Research Design

    Develops innovative, interdisciplinary research questions on law, legal processes, and legal institutions

  • 02

    Data Collection

    Conducts rigorous empirical research using established social science and legal research methodologies

  • 03

    Analysis & Publication

    Produces timely, cutting-edge research of the highest quality for academic and professional audiences

  • 04

    Dissemination & Impact

    Shares findings to inform the legal profession, academy, and society nationally and internationally

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by American Bar Foundation

Empirical Legal Research

Conducts interdisciplinary studies on law, legal processes, and legal institutions using rigorous empirical methods

Justice Advancement

Produces research to expand knowledge and advance justice in the legal profession and society

Legal Education Support

Creates more supportive law school environments through research on legal opportunity and education

Legal Profession Guidance

Provides cutting-edge research to inform and guide the legal profession, academy, and society

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind American Bar Foundation.

Frank X Neuner

Frank X Neuner

Immediate Past Chair of the Fellows
1 hrs/week
Jennifer L Parent

Jennifer L Parent

Chair of the Fellows
1 hrs/week
Mario L. Barnes

Mario L. Barnes

Chair-Elect of the Fellows
Michael J. Hernandez

Michael J. Hernandez

Secretary of the Fellows
BG

Bryant Garth

Director (Thru 08/31/23)
Full-time
Compensation: $282,063
MS

Mark Suchman

Executive Director (Starting 8/9/23)
Full-time
Compensation: $106,799
JK

Jimmy K Goodman

President
3 hrs/week
SJ

Sandra J Chan

Vice-President
3 hrs/week
SD

Shari Diamond

Researcher
17 hrs/week
Compensation: $212,489
EM

Elizabeth Mertz

Researcher
Full-time
Compensation: $189,551
SS

Susan Shapiro

Researcher
Full-time
Compensation: $165,097
AM

Ajay Mehrotra

Researcher
17 hrs/week
Compensation: $139,956
MB

Matthew Burnett

Senior Program Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $137,158
DB

Daniel B Rodriguez

Member
1 hrs/week
EM

Ellen M Jakovic

Member
1 hrs/week
FH

Frank H Langrock

Ex-Officio
1 hrs/week
HM

Hari M Osofsky

Ex-Officio
1 hrs/week
HD

Harold D Pope

Member
2 hrs/week
HP

Hon Peter M Reyes Jr

Member
1 hrs/week
HS

Hon Sophia H Hall

Member
1 hrs/week
HH

Howard H Vogel

Ex-Officio
1 hrs/week
JA

J Anthony Patterson Jr

Member
1 hrs/week
JA

Jo Ann Engelhardt

Member
1 hrs/week
LV

Laura V Farber

Ex-Officio
2 hrs/week
ML

Mary L Smith

Ex-Officio
1 hrs/week
OL

Orlando Lucero

Ex-Officio
1 hrs/week
PG

Palmer G Vance II

Ex-Officio
1 hrs/week
PF

Patty Ferguson-Bohnee

Member
1 hrs/week
PE

Paula E Boggs

Member
1 hrs/week
RJ

Robert J Grey Jr

Member
1 hrs/week
SZ

Shayda Zaerpoor Le

Member
1 hrs/week
WR

William R Bay

Ex-Officio
1 hrs/week

Milestones

1952

Foundation Established

1952

American Bar Foundation founded to advance empirical research on law and legal institutions

1956

Tax-Exempt Status Granted

1956

Received IRS ruling recognizing the Foundation's educational and research mission

2018

Peak Research Capacity

2018

Reached highest staffing level with 95 employees conducting expanded research programs

2023

Leadership Transition

2023

Mark Suchman appointed Executive Director, continuing the Foundation's research mission

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

Lauren K Robel
Lauren K Robel Secretary 3.00 hrs/week
Michael H Byowitz
Michael H Byowitz Treasurer 3.00 hrs/week
Sandra J. Chan
Sandra J. Chan President
Harold D. Pope
Harold D. Pope Treasurer

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2023)

$1.5M

Highest Paid

$310K

Bryant Garth

Compensated Officers

7

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Bryant Garth Director (Thru 08/31/23) $282,063 $27,954 $310,017 35
Shari Diamond Researcher $212,489 $44,066 $256,555 17
Elizabeth Mertz Researcher $189,551 $32,157 $221,708 35
Susan Shapiro Researcher $165,097 $23,040 $188,137 35
Matthew Burnett Senior Program Officer $137,158 $49,215 $186,373 35
Ajay Mehrotra Researcher $139,956 $42,176 $182,132 17
Mark Suchman Executive Director (Starting 8/9/23) $106,799 $5,187 $111,986 35

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Individual Political Donors

People from this organization who contributed to political campaigns

$7K Total Given
Democratic $6,969 (97%)
Other/PAC $250 (3%)
46 Contributions
$157 Avg Each

Top Individual Donors

6 Individual Donors
CH
Carol Heimer 5 contributions • $550 avg
$2,750
LM
Lisa Modesto 2 contributions • $1,000 avg
$2,000
MS
Mark Suchman 4 contributions • $305 avg
$1,220
TH
Terence Halliday 28 contributions • $25 avg
$700
VW
Victoria Woeste 6 contributions • $58 avg
$349

Other Individual Contributors $200 combined

#6
EM

Elizabeth Mertz

Skokie, IL

$200 Total
1 Contribution
TAMMY BALDWIN FOR SENATE

Quick Insights

🏆
Most Active Donor Terence Halliday with 28 contributions
💰
Highest Avg per Contribution Lisa Modesto at $1,000 each
🎯
Top Recipient ACTBLUE — $3,010

Data from Federal Election Commission • Individual contributions only

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partially Forgiven

Total Approved

$739K

Total Forgiven

$725K

98% forgiven

Jobs Retained

39

Loan Details 1 loan

$738,890
Partially Forgiven
Forgiven: $724,746 98%
Approved May 1, 2020
Lender Bank of America, National Association
Jobs Reported 39
Forgiven On Mar 3, 2021

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$3.8M Grants Received
$121K Grants Given
6 Organizations

Top Funders

4 total
AB
American Bar Endowment
$3.6M
AI
Accesslex Institute 2 grants
$125K
SF
Seattle Foundation 2 grants
$21K
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$14K

Top Grantees

2 total
UO
University Of North Carolina ATLANTA, GA
$105K
TA
Texas A&M University COLLEGE STATION, TX
$16K
American Bar Endowment Accesslex Institute Seattle Foundation Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund University Of North Carolina Texas A&M University
American Bar Endowment Accesslex Institute Seattle Foundation Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund University Of North Carolina Texas A&M University

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Related Organizations

1 affiliated entity reported on IRS Form 990 Schedule R

1

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

1
American Bar Association
Chicago, IL
Professional Membership Organization
501(c) 501(C)(6)

Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule R (Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships)

Contact

Get in touch with American Bar Foundation

Phone

(312) 988-6500

Social

Visit Website
750 N Lake Shore Drive 4th Fl Chicago, IL 60611