If the profession is to be successful in diversifying the bar, then the volunteer bar associations must take the lead. It is unreasonable for bar associations to sit back and publicly lament the lack of diversity among law firm partnerships or in the judiciary, all the while failing to elect a lawyer of color to lead their organizations.
Having a lawyer of color in leadership helps organizations appeal to new members and provide more inclusive programming and initiatives. In this regard, the Connecticut Bar Association and the New Haven County Bar Association are a tale of two bar associations. While the NHCBA symbolizes the best of times as an organization that has entrusted lawyers of color with its leadership, the CBA continues to represent the worst of times for diversity.
