Mission

The Pound Civil Justice Institute (formerly The Roscoe Pound Institute) was established in 1956 by trial lawyers to honor and build upon the work of Roscoe Pound, Dean of the Harvard Law School from 1916-1936. The Institute strengthens the practice of trial law through its programs, publications and research grants, which help judges, academics and others understand a balanced view of the U.S. civil justice system. We promote open, ongoing dialogue with the academic and judicial communities, and the public, on issues critical to protecting and ensuring the right to civil justice. The Pound Civil Justice Institute initiates and guides the debate that brings wide-ranging positive changes to American jurisprudence and solidifies the achievements that guarantee access to justice.