Minorities in Legal Education

Diversity and inclusion continue to be challenges for the legal profession, according to the National Association for Law Placement’s Report on Diversity (PDF, 1.6 MB). Lack of diversity spans across a variety of categories, including gender, race, sexual orientation and disability. 

This collection of resources highlights support systems to help students from diverse backgrounds seeking a legal education, such as Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Master of Legal Studies (MLS), as well as guidance for legal organization leaders to support diversity and inclusion.

In 2021, the American Bar Association released its Diversity Model Survey Report, the first report on diversity, equity and inclusion in law firm practice. The survey captured three years of data at firms of various sizes:

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Go to a tabular version of the data in this graphic: Overall Firm Demographics for Equality Partners by Firm Size in 2019.

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Go to a tabular version of the data in this graphic: Promotions to Non-Equity Partner by Firm Size in 2019.

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Go to a tabular version of the data in this graphic: Highest Compensated Attorneys by Firm Size in 2019.

To become a lawyer, individuals must apply to, attend and graduate from an accredited Juris Doctor (J.D.) program. Prospective and current students can leverage resources from a variety of diversity organizations to be successful in their education. 

American Bar Association (ABA): Diversity Scholarships

The ABA scholarship page includes information on many diversity scholarships for law students offered by external sources. Opportunities include diversity scholarships open to all populations that are underrepresented in the legal field, as well as scholarships for specific populations, such as law students with disabilities. 

ABA for Law Students: Scholarships and Financial Aid

The ABA for Law Students scholarship page includes a section dedicated to diversity scholarships. There is also general information on financial aid and resources for law students with special needs. 

Council on Legal Education Opportunity: Financial Aid Resources

CLEO “is committed to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds enter the legal profession” and provides a list of scholarships and financial aid resources for law students. While many of the opportunities listed are available to all law students, this resource page focuses on helping students from diverse populations prepare for the cost of their education. 

Law School Admission Council: Diversity Scholarships

LSAC offers a resource page for students “from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds” that includes scholarships from external organizations, summer prelaw programs and other opportunities for new and returning law students. 

The Council on Legal Education Opportunity

CLEO is a national organization focused on expanding opportunities for law students from underrepresented backgrounds and those in need of financial assistance. They offer a variety of resources, including the Prelaw Summer Institute, their flagship program “designed to familiarize and better prepare students to succeed in law school.” 

metroLALSA

This coalition of Latino students seeks to advance Latinos in the legal profession through networking, events and an annual conference where students and attorneys can discuss issues facing the Latino community.

North American South Asian Law Students Association

Established in 1997, NASALSA is “dedicated to creating a strong network and community among South Asian law students and legal professionals throughout the United States and Canada.” The nonprofit offers a mentorship program, events and other resources to help South Asian law students pursue a career in the legal field. 

National Black Law Student Association

NBLSA aims to “promote the educational, professional, political and social needs and goals of Black law students.” This includes providing learning opportunities for members and addressing concerns of the Black community to bring about legal and political change. 

National Latina/o Law Student Association

NLLSA was “founded on principles of social, ethnic, racial, gender and sexual equality,” and aims to empower Latino and Latina law students through academic success and community service. The nonprofit facilitates student-led conferences and events and brings issues affecting Latino and Hispanic communities to light. 

National Native American Law Students Association

Founded in 1970, NNALSA supports law students “interested in the study of Federal Indian Law, Tribal Law and traditional forms of governance.” In addition to supporting Native American law students, the organization strives to promote Indigenous legal issues. 

Members of diverse populations who work in all areas of law may face additional challenges than other lawyers. Joining a professional organization that focuses on diversity can help them find support and resources and engage in networking opportunities.  

Corporate Counsel Women of Color

Formed in 2004, CCWC is a professional organization of women of color “who serve as general counsel, assistant general counsel, corporate counsel, in-house legal counsel and in other capacities for Fortune 1000 companies, Forbes 2000 companies, not-for-profit corporations” and other organizations. CCWC aims to help women attorneys of color advance their careers and promote diversity in the legal field. 

Hispanic National Bar Association

HNBA is a national nonprofit representing the interests of Hispanic legal professionals in the United States and its territories. Established in 1972, HNBA strives to be “more than a bar organization” by focusing on advocacy on issues that affect Hispanic communities in addition to providing professional support to members. 

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity 

Made up of more than 320 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners, this organization works to build an open and diverse legal profession through its programs and resources.

Minority Corporate Counsel Association 

The MCCA provides recommended practices for law firms to increase their diversity with statistics, interviews and best practices for law firms to advance “the hiring, retention and promotion of diverse lawyers.”

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

NAPABA is a professional organization for the Asian and Pacific American legal community that works to increase and support its members through membership, events, advocacy and research.

National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms

NAMWOLF is a nonprofit trade association of law firms owned by women, minorities and other interested parties in the United States. It serves members through Practice Area Committees, inclusion and diversity initiatives, events and more.

National Association of Women Lawyers

NAWL aims to “provide leadership, a collective voice and essential resources to advance women in the legal profession and advocate for the equality of women under the law.” The organization provides national and regional year-round programming, networking and leadership opportunities to empower women in the legal field. 

National LGBT Bar Association 

The LGBT Bar “promotes justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBTQ+ community in all its diversity.” Founded more than 30 years ago, the LGBT Bar became an official affiliate of the ABA in 1992. The association includes lawyers, judges, law students, activists and affiliated LGBTQ+ legal organizations.

National Native American Bar Association

NNABA is an organization of attorneys who are U.S. citizens and citizens of their respective Tribal nations and who work to protect the governmental sovereignty of the more than 560 independent Tribal governments in the United States.

South Asian Bar Association of North America

SABA provides the South Asian legal community with a forum for professional growth and advancement and works to “promote equal rights and access to justice for the South Asian community.” Members can engage in advocacy, attend events, access resources and participate in regional chapters of the association.  

The following section contains tabular data from the graphics in this post.

Source: “2020 ABA Model Diversity Report Survey,” American Bar Association, 2021. Accessed May 25, 2021.

Back to “Overall Firm Demographics for Equality Partners by Firm Size in 2019” graphic

Source: “2020 ABA Model Diversity Report Survey,” American Bar Association, 2021. Accessed May 25, 2021.

Back to “Promotions to Non-Equity Partner by Firm Size in 2019” graphic

Source: “2020 ABA Model Diversity Report Survey,” American Bar Association, 2021. Accessed May 25, 2021.

Back to Highest Compensated Attorneys by Firm Size in 2019 graphic