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OUR HISTORY

OUR HISTORY

OUR HISTORY

A Legacy Of Excellence

The American Board of Criminal Lawyers was founded in 1978 by renowned San Francisco criminal defense attorney Nathan Cohn. His vision was to establish an exclusive national honorary fellowship that would recognize the country’s most accomplished criminal trial lawyers and promote excellence in criminal defense advocacy.

OUR LEGACY

Continuing A Legacy Of Excellence

Over the decades, ABCL has grown into one of the most respected organizations in the criminal defense community. Membership remains by invitation only and is reserved for attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional courtroom experience, outstanding ethical standards, and a sustained commitment to protecting the rights of the accused.

Today, ABCL continues its tradition of leadership by bringing together distinguished attorneys from across the United States who share a common dedication to justice, constitutional protections, and professional excellence. Through fellowship, education, and collaboration, the organization remains committed to preserving the values that inspired its founding more than four decades ago.