Ida Abbott

Ida Abbott has been a lawyer, consultant, and thought leader in the legal profession for nearly five decades. She was among the first to specialize in lawyers’ professional development and retention, as well as in advancing women into leadership roles. Today, she remains a leading expert on mentoring and sponsorship as tools to guide, support, and transform professional careers.

In response to the evolving needs of her clients, much of her practice now focuses on helping individuals and firms design strategic retirement plans. The need for structured retirement planning has never been more pressing, as successful professionals contemplate their next steps and firms navigate the challenges of partner and executive succession. Having spent years supporting professionals in building their careers, Abbott now helps them create retirement transitions that align with their personal goals, family needs, and firm priorities.

Throughout her career, Abbott has held leadership and board positions in numerous bar associations, women’s organizations, and professional associations both in the U.S. and internationally. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the National Legal Mentoring Consortium. She has co-founded and led several key initiatives, including the Hastings Leadership Academy for Women and the Professional Development Consortium, and has contributed to the editorial and advisory boards of multiple publications, agencies, and nonprofits.

In recognition of her contributions to the legal profession, she was elected a Fellow of both the College of Law Practice Management and the American Bar Foundation, which honors the top 1% of lawyers who have promoted the highest principles and welfare of the profession.

Abbott's volunteer work includes mentoring through Law Without Walls, a collaborative global law school program focused on legal innovation. She also serves on the Bay Area Advisory Board of Facing History and Ourselves, a global education organization that uses history to help students combat bigotry and hatred through knowledge and compassion.

A frequent keynote speaker and presenter, she is also the author of numerous books and publications.

She earned her J.D. from Hastings College of the Law, an M.A. from the University of Miami, and an A.B. from Smith College.