The Standing Committee promotes participation in bar-related activities by those lawyers and lawyer groups who have not previously participated significantly in such activities, including minorities, women, younger lawyers, government lawyers, in-house counsel, physically-challenged and other similarly situated lawyers or lawyer groups. The Diversity Committee will continue to nurture diversity through: relations with the specialty bar associations and all Association sections and committees; organizing educational and social programming; monitoring and fostering inclusiveness in the continuing activities, programs and projects of the Association and its related organizations, such as the New Jersey State Bar Foundation, and the like.
The Elder and Disability Law Section reviews and comments on issues of special concern to the elderly, their families and caregivers. Disseminates timely information on legal topics vitally important to the elderly.
The LGBT Rights Section addresses issues that are of importance to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the legal profession. It advocates for and promotes the civil and human rights of the LGBT community, strives to improve access to justice for LGBT individuals and works to advance professional opportunities for LGBT attorneys and judges.
Mission: To promote the objectives of the New Jersey State Bar Association and to voice the interests and concerns of minority attorneys. The Section will hold forums and institutes for discussion of problems and questions relating to such interests. This Section will provide for the publication and dissemination of information and knowledge regarding such interests and any related field of law. The Section will consider legislation and will promote remedial law and procedures pertaining thereto. The Section will also encourage minorities to join the legal profession and the New Jersey State Bar Association.
The Women in the Profession Section is dedicated to a concern for advancing women's rights issues.
Mission: Monitors and promotes the professional well-being of attorneys and proposes programs designed to treat and educate attorneys for positive satisfaction with their lives and careers.
The NJSBA Special Committee on Racial Equity in the Law will examine the impact of racial inequalities and racism within the practice of law and the administration of justice in New Jersey. The Committee will address institutional anti-Blackness within the State’s legal establishments and its impact on the practice of law. Based on its findings, the Committee will make recommendations to the NJSBA Board of Trustees to advance specific strategies and policies directed at improving fairness in the administration of justice; improving the practice of law for all practitioners; educating lawyers and Bar leaders about the impact of racism on law and justice; and preserving the independence and integrity of the judicial system. The work of the Committee is crucial to reach racial equity in the legal system and in the practice of law for all, and the Committee’s membership should be inclusive of representatives from throughout the state’s legal community, including the affinity bar associations.
Local Bar Associations
NJWLA Purpose & Mission
- Engage in statewide efforts to support and promote its members to the highest levels of law firm, government, academic, community, corporate positions and the judiciary.
- Endorse qualified female attorneys for appointments to the state and federal judiciary.
- Foster leadership among its membership through promoting professional activities, mentoring, educational programs, networking functions and to generally promote visibility of its membership.
- Engage in statewide efforts designed to retain women in the legal profession and to assist in, and collaborate with, nationwide efforts to retain women in the legal profession, including through providing education to its membership, corporations, government, the judiciary, law firms, other memberships, associations and/or other organizations, and law school students, particularly on the evolving “Best Practices” geared toward retention of women in the legal profession in New Jersey.
- Create Task Forces to study and advise the membership on developments affecting the legal status of women, with a focus on gender equity challenges, including those within the legal profession. NJWLA will create a Gender Equity Task Force to compile, analyze and report on statistics, cases and legislation affecting women’s advancement in society and in the legal profession specifically, including detailed review of impediments to advancement, such as “glass ceiling,” “maternal wall,” “daughter track,” pregnancy, caregiver discrimination, and sexual harassment legal barriers. NJWLA will also create a Women of Color Gender Equity Task Force that will compile, analyze and report on statistics, cases and legislation affecting the advancement of women of color in society and in the legal profession, including detailed review of impediments to advancement, with a focus on the additional racial and ethnic barriers that women of color in the legal profession face.
- Provide a voice for its members through local, state and federal legislative bodies and to support, report on, and submit testimony on legislation (including proposed and/or pending legislation) of importance to women, and to maintain a close liaison with other Bar Associations, the judiciary and other statewide and national organizations which address or promote issues important to NJWLA.
- Play an active mentoring role by encouraging young women to attend law school, and fostering early leadership skills in women by having members serve as mentors to female law students and college students considering entering the practice of law.
- Engage in efforts to educate the community about gender equity concerns and issues which fall within the scope of NJWLA’s mission.
The Charles W. Anderson, Jr. Bar Association, Inc., an affiliate chapter of the National Bar Association, is an organization dedicated to the advancement, development, and support of Black and minority attorneys in the Louisville Metro area. Membership to The Charles W. Anderson, Jr. Bar Association, Inc. is open to all lawyers, judges, law professors, and law students with an interest in promoting diversity in the Louisville Metro legal community.
The objectives of The Charles W. Anderson, Jr. Bar Association, Inc. are to:
- Advance the science of jurisprudence;
- Improve the administration of justice;
- Preserve the independence of the judiciary and to uphold the honor and integrity of the legal profession;
- Promote professional and social intercourse among the members of the National, American, Kentucky, and Louisville Bar Associations;
- Promote diversity in the practice and study of law through mentoring and scholarships;
- Promote legislation that will improve the economic conditions of all American citizens, regardless of race, sex, or creed in their efforts to secure a free and untrammeled use of the franchise guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States;
- Protect the civil and political rights of the citizens and residents of the United States; and
- Support and increase Bar Membership among Black attorneys.
The GSBA is New Jersey's oldest and largest professional organization for African-American judges, lawyers, law students, and legal professionals. Throughout our nearly 50 year history, the Garden State Bar Association has served as an advocate for African-Americans and other historically disenfranchised groups in the important work of advancing equity and fairness in the legal profession and beyond. The GSBA is a formidable leader in improving the administration of justice, and developing initiatives in support of our membership, and the communities we serve.
As the bar association that represents one of the fastest growing minority population in the State, APALA-NJ continues to focus on ensuring greater representation of APA attorneys in various sectors of the legal profession as well as in government and the State's judiciary and embraces the following goals:
- Promote & support a positive image of Asian Americans.
- Educate members and the community about issues of critical concern to Asian Americans.
- Support the entrance and advancement of Asian Americans into and within the legal profession.
- Provide opportunities for members to network with others in the Asian American legal community.
- Encourage members to communicate with New Jersey's Asian American community
As the first women’s bar association in New Jersey, The Association of Black Women Lawyers’ mission is to provide a forum for the discussion and dissemination of legal information concerning matters of interest to Black and Minority attorneys; improve communication, cooperation and understanding within the legal profession; assist in charitable and educational pursuits beneficial to the legal community and the community at large; encourage and assist students pursuing a career in law; encourage members of the Association to participate in community service organizations; support the individual in his or her efforts to maintain high standards of performance and to provide information and counseling concerning career opportunities in the legal profession.
The New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association (NJMLA) is a volunteer association of lawyers, judges and law students who work or reside in the New Jersey area. NJMLA was established in 2006 to advance the goals, needs and interests of Muslim attorneys in New Jersey through networking, mentorship and education. NJMLA also hopes to promote Muslim participation in public service and to address issues affecting our local and national community. In addition, NJMLA collaborates with other bar associations and organizations to serve both our members and the greater community. NJMLA is proud of the diversity in our organization and will continue to advocate for diversity and excellence in the bench and bar.
The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey ("HBA-NJ") is a 501(c)(6) statewide organization which represents the interests of attorneys, judges, law professors and law students who share a common interest in resolving the issues affecting Hispanics within the legal community. The purpose of the Association is to serve the public interest by cultivating the art and science of jurisprudence, by advancing the standing of the legal profession, by preserving high standards of integrity, honor, and professional courtesy among Hispanic lawyers
JBARNJ is a full-service bar association founded to serve the needs of New Jersey’s Jewish legal community and that of its affiliates. JBAR is a resource for education, advocacy, mentorship, scholarships, networking events, community support and more.
The purpose of the Haitian American Lawyers Association of New Jersey ("HALA-NJ") is manifold. We exist to assist Haitian-Americans and other ethnic minorities in maintaining and remaining a visible and effective part of the judicial and legal systems. We seek to ensure the meaningful participation of Haitian-Americans and other minorities in the legal profession and system. Our mission is to advance the science of jurisprudence, improve the administration of justice, support initiatives designed to improve economic conditions of all individuals, and work to eliminate discrimination and inequality based on racial, ethnic or sexual considerations. HALA-NJ also represents the interests of those engaged in the legal and judicial systems who serve the greater Haitian community in New Jersey, as well as Haitian-Americans and other ethnic minorities in the judicial and legal systems. HALA-NJ promotes the goals and objectives of the Haitian-American legal community and strives to foster and encourage professional and academic development and excellence among its members, be they attorneys, students, or judges. HALA-NJ promotes a greater awareness of and commitment to the civil and political rights of the Haitian-American Community in New Jersey. Our programs and projects support and facilitate the implementation of these purposes and objectives, and all are welcome to assist us in achieving these aims.
The South Asian Bar Association of New Jersey (SABA-NJ) is a voluntary association of attorneys and professionals in the New Jersey area. SABA-NJ is dedicated to the needs, concerns, and interests of the South Asian community in New Jersey.
We are a dynamic community committed to educating, advocating, networking, and supporting women in the legal profession, located in Bergen County, NJ
The Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY) is a professional membership organization of attorneys and law students engaged with the issues affecting the Korean American community in Greater New York. Incorporated in 1986, KALAGNY seeks to encourage the professional growth of its members as well as provide legal support for the Korean American community.
To achieve these goals, KALAGNY provides its members with training and resources useful for professional advancement; expands access to legal services and education in greater New York's Korean American communities; identifies opportunities for its members to serve the communities in which they practice; and provides a forum for the expression and exchange of opinions concerning social, political, economic, legal and other issues of concern to our members.