The Practice and Practical Skills Guide includes a section on diversity, which is also relevant to racial justice in the legal profession.
The legal profession, like many other industries, faces a number of racial issues. The racial demographic of the legal profession in the United States is not as diverse as the population it serves. While there has been some progress in recent years, the legal profession still lacks significant representation of people of color, particularly in leadership positions. Here are some statistics on the racial demographics of the legal profession:
According to the American Bar Association's 2020 National Lawyer Population Survey, 86% of lawyers in the United States are white, while 5% are Black, 5% are Hispanic, and 2% are Asian.
In terms of law firm partnerships, according to a 2021 report by the National Association for Law Placement, only 10% of law firm partners are people of color.
Law school faculty also lack significant representation of people of color.
Addressing these disparities and promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession is an ongoing challenge that requires a concerted effort from all members of the legal community.
Historically, law schools in the United States have excluded minorities in a number of ways, including through discriminatory admissions policies, hostile environments, and limited resources and opportunities. Here are some examples of how law schools have excluded minorities:
Discriminatory admissions policies: Many law schools in the past had admissions policies that explicitly or implicitly discriminated against minority applicants. For example, some schools had quotas or separate admission standards for minority applicants, while others required higher admission standards for minority applicants or excluded them altogether.
Hostile environments: Minority students in law schools have also faced hostile environments that can create barriers to success. This can include overt discrimination and harassment, as well as more subtle forms of bias and exclusion.
Limited resources and opportunities: Minority students may also face limited resources and opportunities in law schools, such as limited access to financial aid, mentorship, and networking opportunities. This can make it more difficult for them to succeed in law school and the legal profession.
Eurocentric curriculum: The legal education curriculum has historically been Eurocentric and focused primarily on the Western legal tradition. This can limit exposure to other legal traditions and cultures, which can result in a narrow understanding of the law and its impact on marginalized communities.
Limited representation in faculty and leadership: Minority representation among law school faculty and leadership positions has historically been limited. This can limit the diversity of perspectives and experiences represented in legal education and can perpetuate the exclusion of minority students.
Overall, these historical exclusions have contributed to the underrepresentation of minorities in the legal profession and the ongoing challenges faced by people of color in accessing and succeeding in legal education. Addressing these exclusions requires ongoing efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in law schools and the legal profession.