The first day of my first full week as President brought me to Albany for our "Celebrating Diversity in the Bar" regional reception. What a treat! Together with a number of local and specialty bars, we honored Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals, Theodore T. Jones, and had an opportunity to meet and greet judges, bar leaders and lawyers of every stripe, most of whom were young, diverse and full of promise. The energy in the Great Hall was palpable.
One of the great strengths of NYSBA is the diversity of our membership -- in terms of geographic distribution, area of practice, practice setting and firm size. We are making headway in terms of gender; just under 1/3 of our members are women. We are making strides in gender equity within our leadership, although we can do more. And while we can count more minority attorneys among our membership, we are far from achieving the goal of a a profession that is reflective of the diversity of society at large. We do indeed have "miles to go" before we become truly inclusive of members from all races, ethnic groups, and other traditionally under-represented groups, including gay and lesbian attorneys and attorneys with disabilities.
It is not enough to have a diversity policy. Words alone, no matter how well intentioned, will not suffice.
Our Committee on Diversity and Leadership Development, co-chaired by Past Presidents Lorraine Power Tharp and Ken Standard, have been working hard for nearly 4 years to identify and mentor prospective leaders in our Association, monitoring our progress with our diversity initiatives within our Sections and Committees. These regional diversity receptions help us to reach out to our members and non-members alike to encourage participation, and leadership, in NYSBA. They -- and you -- are the key to our collective future.
We hope to see you at our Diversity Reception on January 28, 2008 at the Annual Meeting in NYC, and across the state in the year ahead.
Comments (4)
Brava! Diversity in the profession is a concept near and dear to my heart. It will bring me to the Annual Meeting in January.
Posted by Barbara Sullivan-Parry | June 18, 2007 10:16 PM
Posted on June 18, 2007 22:16
It is good that we are talking more about diversity, but in actuallity what are we doing to foster such diversity. What are we as a Bar Assoc. doing to guaranty (That's right, guaranty) that more minority students in college are encouraged to look to our profession as a viable and achievable goal. The number of admitted minority students into law schools in this country is abysmal. Granted there are more minority students than when I attended Law School in the mid seventies. I was the only Latino student at my Law School all three years, and there were only four African American students during that same period. If I in my humble capacity can help to advance this initiative to increase the number of minority lawyers, please count me in to assist you in whatever way I can.
Jose A. Quesada
Attorney at Law
1424 Williamsbridge Road
Bronx, N.Y., 10461-2509
(718) 828-2866
Posted by Jose A. Quesada | June 19, 2007 10:02 AM
Posted on June 19, 2007 10:02
I applaud your initiative as to diversity and inclusion of all "stakeholders." Unfortunately I see initiatives as to gender -- especially female attorneys as well as minorities. Wonderful accomplishments. However, a small but important segment is missing. Those of us who have chosen the law as a second career, a little more mature than your average law graduate, excellent prior life skill set-- Yet no job opportunities because there is the perceived job discrimination mind set. I would love to pursue elder law-- trusts and estates, etc.,--help others (read senior citizens, etc.) however no one-- law firm (small, or medium) wants to take a chance on me. HELP. This is a continuation of Mark Alcott's "gray lawyers." Is anyone listening or does anyone care. I am very frustrated and disappointed at my fellow attorneys. Not looking for a handout--JUST A HAND!!! Thank you
Posted by Brian M. Gorman, Esq., CPA | June 19, 2007 3:05 PM
Posted on June 19, 2007 15:05
We are committed to working with our elementary and high schools in an effort to encourage more minority students to pursue legal careers. Our Youth Outreach Committee, chaired by former President Ken Standard, is working with a number of law schools and high schools on programs to promote law as a career, the most recent one held at Fordham Law School. The leaks in that pipeline actually start in the early grades and continue through college and law school. It is critical that our youth in elementary school, prior to 8th grade, believe that it is possible. Why 8th grade? That's when students must elect the higher math courses, which in turn, puts them on track for high school honors, AP and IB courses. Without that academic background, they confront significant barriers to higher education, law school and bar passage. We are working with our Law Youth and Citizenship program to enhance this outreach and can use all the volunteer assistance we can muster. So Jose, we will be in contact with you about your willingness to join us in that effort.
With regard to the post from Brian Gorman, might I suggest that you join the Elder Law and Trust & Estate Law Sections, if you have not already? While that won't guarantee you entree to legal employment, the opportunity to network with colleagues in those practice areas could well lead to such an opportunity. I know of a number of Section members who chose law as a second career and have successfully transitioned. It's important to get out there and network, join a Committee as well as the Listserv. Leaders of both those Sections are always on the lookout for committee volunteers.
Posted by Kate Madigan | June 20, 2007 12:38 PM
Posted on June 20, 2007 12:38