The National Association of Bar Executives (NABE) was founded in 1941 to serve the staff of bar associations and law-related organizations. NABE’s vision is to be a diverse, inclusive organization. The association offers opportunities for professional development and enables members to build a network of colleagues who handle similar responsibilities. Members are encouraged to take leadership roles within NABE, their organizations and the broader community.

NABE fulfills its mission of promoting excellence and professionalism through educational programming, information sharing and volunteer commitments.

NABE is an independent not-for-profit organization. It was incorporated in May 1990 in Illinois. Since 1953, NABE has shared staff and office space with the American Bar Association. These arrangements were formalized in 1983, and staff is provided through the ABA Division for Bar Services (DBS).

Since its founding, NABE has had individual members. However, in its early days it was considered an association of organizations since dues were assessed on the bar association. Each bar association had one vote, regardless of the number of members from that association. A bylaw revision in 1987 implemented the current system of individual membership dues and established the policy of one-member, one-vote.

Established in 1977 and incorporated as an Illinois nonprofit corporation in 1982, the National Conference of Bar Foundations (NCBF) is an independent, voluntary organization serving both Canadian law foundations and bar foundations in the U.S. The NCBF assists its members by providing a medium for the exchange of ideas and information related to foundation management, raising and allocating funds, developing public service programs and accomplishing law-related service objectives. Staff support from the American Bar Association's Division for Bar Services allows the NCBF to offer a range of services.