ABA-CLE Diversity Programming and Initiatives

Diversifying the Legal Profession: Strategies from General Counsel
With Dennis W. Archer, Charles R. Morgan, Roderick A. Palmore, Paula E. Boggs, Joaquin R. Carbonell, III, Jose M. de Lasa, Kenneth C. Frazier, E. Christopher Johnson, Jr., Gloria Santona, and Solomon B. Watson, IV

In this complimentary online program, bar leaders and general counsel discuss strategies for diversifying the profession. The program is based on presentations at the October 2003 ABA Presidential Conference, "Diversity in the Legal Profession: Opening the Pipeline," spearheaded by the Council on Racial & Ethnic Justice. It was produced by ABA-CLE with support from the Standing Committee on Continuing Legal Education.

Valuing Diversity: Law Firms and Leadership in the 21st CenturyWith Jacob Herring

A forty-minute video/audio program, produced by ABA-CLE and the Standing Committee on Continuing Legal Education in 1999. An online audio version of this program is available on a complimentary basis at www.abanet.org/cle/clenow.

One of the major challenges of the new century is to build a legal profession that can effectively serve as the connecting link between our citizens and the rule of law. Data indicates that our society is rapidly becoming more diverse, with people of color likely to reach majority status in 35-50 years. As clients become more heterogeneous, leaders of the profession will change to stay in tune with them. This program addresses pivotal questions such as: Why is a diverse workplace important for law firms? What are the current realities of professional life? What are the current barriers to a diverse workplace? How can law firms overcome these barriers? What first practical steps should law firm leaders take?

ABA Women and Minority Speakers Bureau

The ABA Center for Continuing Legal Education maintains a clearinghouse of women and minority instructors for continuing legal education programs. The speakers bureau contains detailed information on talented and knowledgeable minority and women lawyers who can serve as CLE speakers at upcoming ABA programs.

Racial and Ethnic Diversity/Elimination of Bias Recommendation

The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Continuing Legal Education and the ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession submitted a Report with Recommendation to the ABA House of Delegates at its Midyear Meeting in February 2004. The Report requested that the Model Rule for Minimum Continuing Legal Education be amended to recommend that educational activities related to racial and ethnic diversity and the elimination of bias in the profession be one of the required subject areas. The ABA House of Delegates approved the Report with Recommendation. The Comment to Section 2 of the Model Rule was amended to provide that regulatory systems should require that lawyers, as part of their mandatory continuing legal education either through a separate credit or through existing ethics and professionalism credits, complete programs related to the promotion of racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession, the promotion of full and equal participation in the profession of women and persons with disabilities, and the elimination of all forms of bias in the profession. To view the amended Section 2 Comments to the ABA Model Rule, please visit http://www.abanet.org/cle/ammodel.html. Currently, the following MCLE states have a credit requirement of this nature: California, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and West Virginia.