The Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession is charged with promoting “the full and equal participation in the legal profession” of minority lawyers. As part of that charge, the Commission undertakes the following services to assist ABA Sections, Divisions, and Forums in their efforts to toward racial and ethnic diversity:

The Commission is available to work with any ABA entity to help develop and refine its strategy and programming to attract more minority members. Each Section, Division, and Forum has its own unique issues, concerns, and resources. Strategies to promote diverse membership and leadership that work well for one entity may not be logical or effective for another. The Commission can also provide guidance to ABA entities about working with minority lawyers and minority bar associations.

The Commission will provide information to any ABA entity seeking to make outreach to the leaders of minority bar associations. The Commission maintains active and frequent communication with national minority bar and local minority bar leaders.

The Commission makes available information related to minority lawyers, minority bar associations, and diversity programs to any interested ABA entity. This information includes:

• a. News and articles, research, and other information about minority lawyers and diversity issues;
• b. Diversity plans for ABA Sections;
• c. Information about the national minority bar associations;
• d. Lists of minority bar leaders;
• e. Lists of corporations that have expressed a particular desire to work with minority lawyers;
• f. Directories of minority community-based organizations; and,
• g. Directories of minority partners in majority law firms and in corporate law departments.

The Commission also regularly notifies ABA entities whenever one of their minority members receives an award, promotion, or other noteworthy achievement so that the chair of that entity may send a note of congratulations.

Maintaining Minority Lawyer Databases
The Commission maintains a number of databases and list serves for minority lawyers. Many of these individuals are not current ABA members and most have been out of law school at least 5 years. Our lists can be made available by geographic location or by race/ethnicity.

The Commission maintains a calendar of events of particular interest to minority lawyers on its Website. The calendar is updated regularly and we encourage its use by ABA entities and others who are planning a program to which they hope to draw minority lawyers so as to avoid conflicts with other programs.

the Commission helps Sections, Divisions and Forums find effective speakers on the subject of racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession and society. It also works with Sections, Divisions, and Forums to help them identify minority speakers for their different programs and meetings.