The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) opened its office in the capital city of Ashgabat in 1999. Since launching its programs, ABA ROLI has worked with lawyers, law students and professors, and local organizations across Turkmenistan on legal education and legal service programs and projects.
For lawyers, the ABA has provided continuing legal education seminars and workshops on a variety of topics including commercial law, family law, and civil law. The ABA's legal education activities have focused on assistance to a law student association including practical skills seminars for aspiring lawyers, the establishment of a legal resource center at Turkmen State University, and public legal education activities ("Street Law") for secondary school students. The ABA has also provided targeted assistance to Turkmen organizations and institutions in support of developing legal aid services for populations of rural regions in the country