The Council on Access and Fairness (COAF) supports the Board of Trustees on effectuating the State Bar's diversity and inclusion goals and objectives, which includes: pipeline to the legal profession, retention and career advancement, and judicial diversity.
Kendra Muller, Chair
Contact: [email protected]
The SDCBA has created a disability justice group that will meet monthly to discuss disability-related matters, organize presentations, and foster mentorships with interested groups on disability topics. Membership is open to the entire San Diego County legal community. Attorney participants will be required to undergo school vetting for mentoring of students.
A 2013 ABA survey of attorneys reveal 8% reported an acknowledged disability. However, a national law firm poll, to which 110,000 attorneys replied, only 255 (0.23%) reported they had disabilities. People with disabilities have faced historic discrimination as noted in the 1990 legislative history of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The profession has been slow to eradicate barriers for those interested in a career in law, and for attorneys with disabilities entering the legal profession. Yet, attorneys with disabilities serve their clients and community well.
This group will focus on disability justice in the legal field. This mission will be two-fold (1) ensuring individuals with disabilities have improved access to the legal field, (2) educating law firms, organizations, and individuals on disability justice and rights. The task force hopes to create a safe community place to express ideas to ensure equal access and collaboration with other social justice groups.
The Committee’s purpose is to provide oversight of diversity programs of the sections, committees, divisions, and Board of Directors. The CIC also recommends targeted anti-racism training for Board members and the professional team when appropriate, monitors the diversity of CLE panels, conducts organizational racial equity assessments, manages organizational initiatives, including the Diversity Fellowship Program and the Diversity Pledge, and develops proposals for DEI strategy for the SDCBA.
The DEI Division is charged with promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and improved access to justice in all aspects of the legal profession, the community, and the justice system; fostering greater awareness and understanding of traditional, systemic barriers that have prevented the full participation of diverse communities in the legal profession and the justice system; and actively working against all forms of racism and discrimination within the legal profession, the justice system, and the community as a whole.
Brochure on Disability Etiquette (developed with the US District Court for the Southern District of California)
Acts as a forum for other local and minority bar associations and promotes a unified position on diversity and fair access on professional and public issues.
The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County is a member organization comprised of attorneys, judges, legal professionals, and law students throughout Los Angeles County. It is a voice for issues of concern to the Asian Pacific American community. APABA organizes and co-sponsors events and programs that assist underserved communities, promote civil justice, and foster professional development, mentorship, and community.
Cal-APABA represents the interests of APA bar organizations and the over 14,000 APA attorneys statewide to promote justice and equality, advance legal and policy matters that impact the APA community, and enhance the professional development of its members.
CABL continues to be instrumental in increasing the number of African-American judges throughout California. Meeting regularly with members of the State Legislature and the Governor’s Judicial Appointments Secretary, CABL has been effective in its advocacy of issues facing African Americans and others of similar experience and situation. Moreover, CABL is proud to have produced six distinguished presidents of the NBA. They include Robert L. Harris (the first Californian ever to be elected an officer of the NBA), Thomas J. Broome, James O. Cole, the Honorable Allen J. Webster, Randy K. Jones and Demetrius Shelton. Today, the California Association of Black Lawyers represents 6,000 African-American attorneys, judges, law professors and students.
The Japanese American Bar Association (“JABA”) was founded over 40 years ago in Los Angeles, California. Over the years, JABA has provided a special forum for members of the legal profession with interests and ties to the Japanese American community to discuss issues, network, and serve our community.
KABA assists the Korean American community by providing volunteers for monthly pro bono legal clinics, publicizing important social issues, promoting the advancement of diverse attorneys and judges, hosting MCLE events, and providing numerous networking opportunities with other organizations. KABA also provides significant financial support to other nonprofits, hosts law student career panels, and offers an annual mentorship program
Purpose: The promote the diversity, equity and inclusion across the legal profession. The committee works together to ensure equal accessibility to leadership, educational and volunteer opportunities with assistance from the Executive Director.
The Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County was founded in 1970 by an astonishingly small group of Orange County lawyers of Hispanic heritage. The late Honorable James O. Perez was a founding member as well as the first Latino judge appointed to the bench in Orange County. To proudly honor his legacy, the HBA created the James O. Perez Judge of the Year Award given out at the Annual Judges’ Barbeque. The HBA is committed to promoting education, unity, and excellence in the Latinx community. Our Membership and Sponsors provide the support and financial resources to continue our Mission.
The Disability Rights Committee works to break down barriers that have held back attorneys with disabilities in the field of law.
The Equality Committee on Minorities preserves and expands employment opportunities for minority attorneys in the Bay Area.
The Equality Committee on LGBTQ+ Issues works to promote equality of professional opportunity for LGBTQ+ attorneys. The committee advocates for connection and community for LGBTQ+ attorneys concerning recruiting, hiring, promotion, and retention in the legal profession, and the development of professional skills for LGBTQ+ attorneys.
The Women’s Impact Network works to achieve gender equality in the legal profession. Standing on the foundations built by their predecessors - members of BASF's No Glass Ceiling Taskforce - the current generation of leaders seeks to bring stakeholders together and turn data into action. The Women's Impact Network encompasses five subcommittees as working groups, each of which focuses on an impact goal, from policy to lifestyle.
The Women Lawyers’ Section was established in 1986, first named the “Women in Law Committee.” Its stated mission is “to support women in the legal profession and to promote the legal interests of women in society.” The Section’s goals and priorities include: increased membership, active involvement of all members, education to the legal community and the public, philanthropy (time/money), advocating judicial appointment of individuals who are supportive of women, advancing legislation furthering women’s interests, and, last but not least, networking and social functions.
The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Section of the Sonoma County Bar Association works to create and support diverse leaders in our legal community, inclusive & equitable workplaces, and to develop a local pipeline of diverse legal professionals by providing relevant resources, training, and best practices for our members
SABA-SC is one of the oldest and largest South Asian bar associations in the country. SABA-SC is dedicated to the advancement and development of South Asian attorneys as well as attorneys interested in issues affecting the South Asian community. SABA-SC strives to promote the professional development of South Asian lawyers and law students, educate the community about relevant legal issues, expand and enhance business and professional opportunities for South Asians, increase the participation of South Asians in civic affairs and government, facilitate the exchange of ideas and information, and foster goodwill, fellowship and unity among the community.