The legal profession continues to be one of the ‘least diverse’ of all professions in the US, according to the latest findings from the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession (IILP).
“Aggregate minority representation among lawyers is significantly lower than minority representation in most other management and professional jobs,” confirms the 2019-20 Review on the State of Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession. In 2018, minority representation amongst lawyers was 16.5%, compared to 24.9% of financial managers, 29.6% amongst accountants/auditors, 44.6% of software developers, 34.8% of physicians/surgeons, and 27.8% within the management and professional labour force as a whole.
INADEQUATE REPRESENTATION
On a positive note, minority representation amongst lawyers has steadily increased over the last decade from 11.3% (between 2006 and 2008) to 15.3% (over the 2016-18 period). However, despite the fact that female representation amongst lawyers grew from 32.6% in 2007 to 37.4% in 2017, the data “continues to show significantly inadequate representation at higher levels”, states IILP. Compared to the entry-level numbers as associates, the number of women of colour who become partners in large law firms is also ‘staggeringly small’.
Progress for different minority groups in the profession also varies, according to the Review. African American representation amongst lawyers has increased over the past ten years, from an average of 4.8% (during 2006-08), to an average of 5.2% (2016-18), as shown in Table 1 below. During the same period, Hispanic representation amongst lawyers increased from an average of 3.7% to an average of 5.5%, and Asian American representation amongst lawyers increased from an average of 2.8% to an average of 4.7% (as indicated in Table 1).
The representation of lawyers with disabilities in law firms has slightly increased among associates, from 0.2% in 2009 to 0.5% in 2018, and from 0.3% in 2009 to 0.5% in 2018 amongst partners. Representation of LGBT lawyers in law firms has also been steadily inching upwards, reveals the report. In 2018, 3.8% of associates and 2.1% of partners identified as LGBT – up from 2.3% and 1.4%, respectively, compared to 2009.
PROMISING STRATEGIES & PROGRAMMES
Lack of diversity in the legal profession is just one of the themes covered in the latest Review. This year’s edition, which contains 25 articles, examines different aspects of diversity issues within the profession, offering practical tips, and in-depth analysis of the diversity within the legal profession. It also provides insights into some of the “promising strategies and programmes to advance diversity in the profession”, confirms IILP.
Other themes covered in the Review include:
- Proposal to adopt a new model Rule acknowledging that lawyers have an ethical obligation to promote the ideal of equality for all members of society;
- Incorporating non-U.S. nationals in D&I initiatives;
- Asian Pacific Americans and Affirmative Action;
- Understanding the ‘B’ in LGBT;
- How to increase the numbers of Native American law students;
- The myths about and challenges LGBT lawyers encounter; and
- Gender disparity across cultures.
The 2019-20 Review on the State of Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession can be downloaded free of charge, by clicking here.
The IILP is also hosting events focusing on the State of Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession in Denver, Cincinnati and Silicon Valley over the next few months. Click here for more information.
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