Robert Nelson

Robert Nelson is Professor of Sociology at Northwestern University and MacCrate Research Chair at the American Bar Foundation. He has held significant administrative roles including Director of the American Bar Foundation, Founding Director of Northwestern's Center for Legal Studies, and Chair of the Sociology Department.

His research centers on the sociology of law with emphases on legal profession structures, anti-discrimination law, and systemic inequality. Nelson employs empirical methodologies to examine how legal institutions perpetuate workplace disparities, particularly regarding race, gender, and sexual orientation in law firms. His work bridges socio-legal theory with practical implications for civil rights enforcement and professional equity.

Nelson's publication history reveals consistent focus on legal profession dynamics and discrimination mechanisms across four decades. His recent scholarship extends longitudinal analysis of lawyer careers while maintaining critical examination of how discrimination law functions in practice, often highlighting gaps between legal ideals and workplace realities.

His scientific awards include:

• Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences
• Membership in the Sociological Research Association
• Membership on the board of the General Social Survey
• Chair of the Sociology of Law Section of the ASA
• Distinguished Publication Award of the ASA
• Honorable Mention Best Book, Sociology of Law Section of ASA

Nelson directs the After the JD Study of Lawyer Careers, a major longitudinal research project tracking legal professionals' trajectories. While specific grant details aren't provided, his leadership of large-scale empirical studies like this indicates substantial research funding and mentorship of graduate researchers. His administrative history suggests extensive committee service and institutional leadership.

He currently leads the After the JD Study through the American Bar Foundation, coordinating multi-institutional research teams examining career development, diversity challenges, and practice evolution within the American legal profession.