Courtesy of NAPABA
SAN FRANCISCO — Asian-Americans have been the fastest-growing minority group in the legal profession for the past three decades, but they’ve made only limited progress in reaching the upper echelons of the law, according to a study released Tuesday.
“A Portrait of Asian Americans in the Law,” published by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and Yale Law School, reports there are over 50,000 Asian-American lawyers in the United States today compared to 20,000 in 2000. The study, billed as the first comprehensive look at the career paths of Asian-American law students and lawyers in the United States, found that Asian-Americans account for nearly 5 percent of lawyers and about 7 percent of law school students nationwide—as compared to 6 percent of the entire population.
But, at the peak of the legal profession, the study found that only 3 percent of federal judges and 2 percent of state judges are Asian-American. In 2016, only three of the nation’s 94 U.S. attorneys were Asian-Americans. And as of 2014 only four Asian-Americans served as elected district attorneys.
“Asian-Americans have a firm foot in the door of the legal profession; the question now is how wide the door will swing open,” wrote the study’s co-authors, including California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin Liu. “Greater penetration into these public leadership roles is critical if the increasing number of Asian-American attorneys is to translate into increasing influence of Asian-Americans in the legal profession and throughout society.”
This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.
To view this content, please continue to their sites.
Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.
For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]
Trending Stories
-
Featured Firms
Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates P.C.75 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Ste 101Atlanta, GA 30308(470) 294-1674www.garymartinhays.comLaw Offices of Mark E. Salomone2 Oliver St #608Boston, MA 02109(857) 444-6468www.marksalomone.comSmith & Hassler1225 N Loop W #525Houston, TX 77008(713) 739-1250www.smithandhassler.comPresented by BigVoodoo
More From ALM
View Now
View Now
View Now
Philadelphia, PA
The Legal Intelligencer honors lawyers leaving a mark on the legal community in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Learn More
Dallas, TX
Consulting Magazine recognizes leaders in technology across three categories Leadership, Client Service and Innovation.
Learn More
London
Celebrate outstanding achievement in law firms, chambers, in-house legal departments and alternative business structures.
Learn More
We are seeking an associate to join our Employee Benefits practice. Candidates should have three to six years of employee benefits experienc...
Apply Now ›
Associate attorney position at NJ Immigration Law firm: Leschak & Associates, LLC, based in Freehold, NJ, is looking for a full time ass...
Apply Now ›
Duane Morris LLP has an immediate opening for a senior level, highly motivated litigation associate to join its dynamic and growing Employme...
Apply Now ›
Connecticut Law Tribune
MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS
View Announcement ›