The organized bar — joined by a broad consensus of America’s civic, business and political institutions — believes that full inclusion of members of racial, ethnic, gender and other underrepresented groups is essential to the legitimacy of our legal and political systems. Diversity in the legal profession shows that the path to leadership is open to all, while demonstrating that the justice system serves the public openly and fairly. Diversity is also crucial for the legal profession’s successful service of clients in the global marketplace.
As advocates for diversity, we must not be deterred or discouraged by the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action. That decision upheld a voter-approved article of the Michigan Constitution that prohibits the state’s public universities from considering race as a factor in their admissions decisions.
