The Alabama Law Foundation provides access to justice for all and respect for and understanding of the law.
As the only charitable, tax-exempt organization affiliated with the Alabama State Bar, the Alabama Law Foundation has helped the state’s lawyers make a valuable difference in the lives of Alabama’s citizens. We are the Heart of the Bar.
The Alabama Law Foundation administers several separate programs, each providing ways for lawyers to better their profession and their communities. The foundation makes annual grants to organizations that provide free legal aid to the poor in civil cases, for projects that improve the administration of justice and for law-related education.
Since Inception, We Have:
- Increased access to justice for thousands of Alabamians
- Awarded $24.5 million in grants
- Helped more than 30 students pay for their law school education
- Awarded $681,500 in Kids’ Chance Scholarships to over 200 students
- Created the Atticus Finch Society, currently at 99 charter members
- Recognized 473 Fellows for their contributions to the foundation and community
history of the Alabama Law Foundation
1987 | The only 501(c) (3) statewide organization that supports programs providing civil legal aid to the poor. The foundation started the IOLTA program and began awarding the Cabaniss Johnston Scholarship to promising law students.
1988 | First interest from IOLTA allows the foundation to begin planning grants.
1989 | First grants awarded to worthy programs and organizations that provide civil legal aid to the poor.
1990 | Alabama Law Foundation provides funding to start the Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program.
1993 | First Kids’ Chance Scholarships are awarded to students whose parent was killed or permanently disabled on the job. Kids’ Chance was started by the Worker’s Compensation Section of the Alabama State Bar.
1995 | The Fellows program was established to honor bar members who have made a significant contribution to their profession and their community.
2005 | Individual attorneys made significant financial contributions to establish the Atticus Finch Society. The Society’s endowment helps provide financial stability and reduce the impact of varying interest rates of IOLTA funds.
2007 | The William Verbon Black Scholarship was established to honor the memory of William Verbon Black and assist full-time students at the University of Alabama School of Law.
2008 | IOLTA became mandatory for all Alabama lawyers. The Women’s Section of the Alabama State Bar created the Justice Janie L. Shores Scholarship to help female Alabama residents attending an Alabama law school.
2021 | The ROBE Fund provides scholarships to general jurisdiction state judges wishing to attend judicial education programs.
2024 | The Alabama Law Foundation, in partnership with the Alabama Access to Justice Commission, is helping to fund parts of a new initiative launched by the Alabama State Bar to help Alabamians who need legal assistance but cannot afford it. The Bar has created a website, Justice4AL.com, as an accessible gateway to legal aid resources. A “one-stop-shop” to find help, the new website provides much-needed support to those facing legal challenges.
Through nearly 40 years of service, the Alabama Law Foundation has become the leader in providing access to justice for Alabama’s citizens.