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    Michigan

    Diversity Portal

    Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee

    The Committee supports the diversity goals of the SBM Strategic Plan by: identifying strategies to promote a diverse and inclusive voice in all State Bar of Michigan work and communications; recommending practices, tools and strategies to advance diversity and inclusion at the SBM staff level, section and committee levels, and throughout the justice system; encouraging examination of the status of diversity and inclusion efforts of Michigan law firms, courts, and law schools; suggesting methods for celebrating successful diversity and inclusion efforts; identifying the need for any workgroups to support the jurisdiction of the committee; and identifying possible collaborations to support.

    Sections

    The American Indian Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan provides education, information and analysis about issues of concern through meetings, seminars, this site, public service programs, and publication of a newsletter. Membership in the Section is open to all members of the State Bar of Michigan.

    American Indian Law Section

    Jurisdiction: Support the State Bar of Michigan’s efforts to support effective and appropriate interaction between sovereign tribal courts and state and federal courts, and on the practice of law in those courts by:

    American Indian Law Committee

    Reviewing and making recommendations on relevant proposed court rules and legislation

    Proposing court rule, legislative, or policy changes to advance more effective and appropriate interaction between sovereign tribal courts and state and federal courts

    Elder Law and Disability Rights Section

    The Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan provides education, information and analysis about issues of concern through meetings, seminars, this site, public service programs, and publication of a newsletter. Membership in the Section is open to all members of the State Bar of Michigan.

    LBGTQ+ Law Section

    Mission: to review law, cases, regulations, and other legal matters that affect lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, questioning, and allies of this State and to promote the fair and just administration of those laws.

    Michigan Pledge to Achieve Diversity and Inclusion in the Profession

    This is a pledge to achieve diversity and inclusion in the education, hiring, retention, and promotion of Michigan's diverse attorneys and in their elevation to leadership positions within our organizations, the judiciary, and the profession.

    Local Bar Associations

    Women Lawyers Association of Michigan

    WLAM is dedicated to securing the rights of women in society, advancing the interests of women members of the legal profession, promoting improvements in the administration of justice, and promoting equality and social justice for all people.

    Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan

    The Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (BWLAM) was founded on July 28, 1992 and incorporated on March 25, 1993 out of necessity to promote reform in the law, to facilitate the administration of justice and to uphold the highest standard of integrity in the legal profession. BWLAM works to accomplish this goal by promoting programs that enhance civic education through law and promotion of scholarship and opportunity for black women at all levels of education.

    BWLAM ventures to cultivate a spirit of acceptance, cordiality, fellowship and empowerment among members of the Bar and the community at large. BWLAM focuses on professional advancement, presence in civic and public offices of women lawyers and the cultivation of women’s rights. BWLAM is headquartered in Detroit, MI and is a nonprofit organization under the state laws of Michigan.

    D. Augustus Straker Bar Association

    The D. Augustus Straker Bar Association was formed on October 4, 1990, as a special purpose bar association recognized by the State Bar of Michigan. It is also an affiliate of the National Bar Association.  Membership includes a racially diverse coalition of lawyers, judges, in-house counsel and other legal professionals, with a particular focus on attorneys who live, work, or practice in Oakland County, Michigan.

    The mission of the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association is to increase minority representation in the legal profession, support and encourage legal practice opportunities for minorities, and facilitate equal justice for all citizens.

    Wolverine Bar Association

    The Wolverine Bar Association was established by a number of African- American attorneys during the 1930’s. It was organized to coordinate the energies and talents of the increasing number of African-Americans admitted to practice throughout Michigan. From its inception, the Wolverine Bar Association assumed a leadership role in community and political activities. The role continues to be paramount in its endeavors today.

    Association of Black Judges of Michigan

    Our mission is to seek the eradication of race and class bias from all aspects of the judicial process, to promote the continuing judicial education of its members, to improve public confidence in our courts, and to advocate for the appointment of Judges of color to all courts throughout the state

    Davis-Dunnings Bar Association

    The Davis-Dunnings Bar Association (formerly known as the Lansing Black Lawyers Association) was founded in 1981. Leading the initial formation were the Honorable Clinton Canady III and the Honorable Hugh B. Clarke Jr., who along with several other African-American attorneys in the Lansing area, adopted the Association’s initial bylaws. Davis-Dunnings Bar Association was formally incorporated in 1983. Davis-Dunnings Bar Association is considered a special purpose bar association by the State Bar of Michigan. It was formed to provide support to African-American attorneys in Mid-Michigan by providing them with networking and professional development opportunities. At the time Davis-Dunnings Bar Association was formed, it was the only local bar association outside of Detroit formed to address the needs of African-American attorneys.

    Floyd Skinner Bar Association
     

    Hispanic Bar Association of Michigan

    The Hispanic Bar Association of Michigan (HBAM) was formed in 1991 to cultivate the science of jurisprudence, promote reforms in the law, facilitate the administration of justice, and elevate the standard of integrity, honor, and courtesy in the legal profession in the State of Michigan.

    The Hispanic Bar Association of Michigan seeks to (1) provide a voice for Michigan’s Hispanics, especially those involved in the legal profession; (2) counsel and assist the Hispanic community by supporting local and charitable organizations; (3) advocate for greater representation of Hispanics in the legal profession and in public office, and (4) facilitate communication amongst Michigan attorneys and others concerned with the law.

    ​​Jewish Bar Association of Michigan

    Our Mission: To promote and unify Jewish and other like-minded attorneys, judges, law students and paralegals in Michigan by providing social, educational and charitable activities.

    Judge Charles A. Pratt Bar Association
     

    Michigan Asian Pacific American Bar Association

    Founded in 1985, the Michigan Asian Pacific American Bar Association's (MAPABA) mission is to promote improvements in the administration of justice, to advance relations between the legal profession and the public, to secure equality of Asian Pacific Americans in society, to advocate the interest of Asian Pacific Americans in the legal profession, and to promote equality and social justice for all people.

    Michigan Muslim Bar Association
     

    Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Detroit Bar Association

    Seeks to promote diversity and inclusion within the Detroit Bar Association and the larger legal community