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DIVERSITY
Following the approval of the Board of Governors, the State Bar of Arizona Diversity Department was created. The Department is charged not only with the responsibility of facilitating the Bar’s diversity efforts, but with that of administering the Bar Leadership Institute. Our Value Statement on Diversity The Department is tasked with implementing the State Bar’s statement of core value for diversity which states: This value represents our commitment to ensuring that the legal profession and the justice system reflect the community it serves in all of its social, economic, and geographical diversity. It is seeking out representatives of underrepresented groups to add their strength to the legal profession and to the advancement of justice in all areas of society. The State Bar of Arizona therefore values and respects diversity and inclusion, of its employees and the clients that they serve. Valuing our differences in thought, background and perspective is more than our philosophy; it is at the core of our business. Inclusion helps us to create a culture that embraces the best people from the widest range of talent. The Diversity Department is committed to providing the direction on diversity and inclusion so that the State Bar can offer the best services possible to its internal and external customers. The Diversity Department partners with the Human Resources Department, sister and specialty Bars to promote respect for all. We believe that partnering with these groups provides direct communications of the needs of our employees and the legal community. Return to Top Strategic Direction
State Bar Diversity Committee The State Bar Diversity Committee is responsible for planning, observing, celebrating diversity and important dates such as the Black Heritage Month in February, the National Women’s History Month in March, the Gay/Lesbian Recognition Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month in September, the National Disability Awareness Month in November, and Native American Heritage Month in November, just to mention a few. Return to Top Multi-Bar Leadership Council (MBLC) I. Purpose
II. Composition Two representatives from each of the following specialty bars and State Bar committees: Arizona Asian-American Bar Association Proposed term of service is two years, with a maximum of two terms. Officers of the MBLC are a Chair, a Vice Chair, and a Secretary. The term of service is one year. The position of chair rotates annually between each organizational member of the MBLC. III. BOG Representative To ensure participation and a voice for specialty bars within the State Bar of Arizona, it is proposed that the Supreme Court Rules be amended to provide that the Chair of the MBLC serve as a voting member of the SBA’s Board of Governors. IV. Meeting Schedule The MBLC meets quarterly at the offices of the State Bar of Arizona. Return to Top The Bar Leadership Institute The first class, made up of 15 attorneys, was selected to participate in the Leadership Institute which commenced in September of 2007. Participants of this and subsequent classes:
Following the program, graduates must commit to one year of participation in the State Bar in some capacity (be it on a committee, section, or by special appointment), and/or participation in another bar association or community organization. Program Sessions For more information and application, click here. Return to Top Bar Organizations Arizona Asian-American Bar Association (need links) County Bars: Project Description: The Diversity Pipeline Project is one of the cornerstones of the State Bar’s diversity and inclusion efforts. The project seeks to work in partnership with Arizona’s law firms, schools, colleges, organizations, etc. to encourage young people, especially people in the underrepresented populations, to consider careers in the law profession. Objective: The objective is to design programs and activities that would send volunteers to our communities, schools, civic organizations, etc. so they can expose our young people to what it takes to become an attorney or have a career in the legal field. History of program: The State Bar of Arizona’s Diversity Project is a new one. Therefore the diversity pipeline project is new to the Bar and grew out of the Bar’s Diversity Task Force recommendations. The Bar Leadership Institute is already in operation and is part of the pipeline project where 15 attorneys of various backgrounds are brought into a formal program to groom them for leadership positions within the Bar. However, Arizona’s Law Schools and Bar organizations such as the National Hispanic Bar Association, Arizona Chapter of the National Bar Association, and Los Abogados Bar Association have already started their individual diversity pipeline programs. Future program plans and Components: Community Outreach Strategies In developing the purpose and goals for the Diversity Pipeline Project, it is envisioned that the Bar’s Diversity Pipeline Project would bring under one umbrella efforts of the different entities involved in their individual pipeline projects. It is important to emphasize that the State Bar of Arizona diversity activities extend beyond concerns of minorities and women, and also include attorneys with disabilities, as well as LGBT and very experienced attorneys who have many years of practice under their belt. Bringing all activities on behalf of these constituencies within the Bar’s Diversity efforts enables the State Bar to take a more comprehensive approach to achieve our diversity goals, while using resources and volunteers in a more effective and efficient manner. Another major consideration for the development of the State Bar’s diversity and inclusion efforts, including the Pipeline Project, is to group all pipeline and diversity issues and activities along a single, complete diversity and inclusion competency continuum. The State Bar Diversity Pipeline as an important component of our overall diversity efforts includes all school based programs from elementary to middle school, to high school, colleges and universities, and law schools, while also extending to issues related to recruitment, retention and advancement in the legal profession. Return to Top The Alliance seeks to bring participating law firms together for the purpose of furthering diversity in Arizona’s legal community. The participating firms should be committed to increasing the number of attorneys who have disabilities, women, people of different sexual orientation, and people of color. These individuals should be recruited, hired, trained, retained, and invited to join the partnership ranks in Arizona’s large, mid-sized and small majority-owned law firms. Return to Top |