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Council for Diversity in the Educational Pipeline

The mission of the ABA Council for Diversity in the Educational Pipeline (Pipeline Council) is to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the educational pipeline to the legal profession. 

Engaging Students to Diversify the Legal Profession

The ABA Judicial Clerkship Program introduces law students from diverse backgrounds from around the country to judges and law clerks. In partnership with judges from the ABA Judicial Division, students have the opportunity to access and learn about the lifelong benefits of a judicial clerkship.

Learn More - Judicial Clerkship Program

Uplifting Excellence in the Educational Pipeline

The Alexander Award was created to honor an individual or organization that has demonstrated exemplary leadership and success in educational pipeline work. The award is named after the life and legacy of two legal trailblazers – Raymond Pace Alexander and Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander. In 2023, the Pipeline Council added the Alexander Legal Ambassador Award to honor a law firm or corporate legal department that has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing the educational pipeline for diverse communities.

View Our - Alexander Awards

Providing National Scholarship Opportunities

The American Bar Association (ABA) awards an annual Legal Opportunity Scholarship to first-year law students. The mission of the program is to encourage racial and ethnic minority students to apply to law school and to provide financial assistance to attend and complete law school. The ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship grants 20 - 25 incoming diverse law students with $15,000 of financial aid over their three years in law school.

Read More - Legal Opportunity Scholarship

Compiling National Pipeline Programs

The ABA Council for Diversity in the Educational Pipeline and the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) created the Pipeline Diversity Directory in response to the critical need to increase diversity in the educational pipeline leading to the profession.

See Our - National Pipeline Directory

Community College Pathway to Law Toolkit

The purpose of this Toolkit is to provide guidance and resources to those associated with community colleges who are interested in either creating a pathway program to law school or enhancing an existing program.

Explore - The ToolKit

Spotlight: Judicial Clerkship Program Interviews

Hear from JCP Co-Chair Hon. Heather Welch

Hon. Heather Welch, Chair, ABA Judicial Division Co-Chair, Judicial Clerkship Program Planning Committee discusses the benefits of the ABA Judicial Clerkship Program for law students, judges, and the legal profession.

Read - The Interview

Leading Webinars for a More Inclusive Legal Profession

Join us for a series of engaging webinars hosted by the ABA Diversity Pipeline Programs, designed to inform, inspire, and support students and professionals from underrepresented backgrounds in the legal field. These sessions feature experienced attorneys, educators, and leaders discussing pathways to law school, career development, mentorship, and strategies for increasing diversity in the legal profession.

Donate Now!

Your support helps to continue the work of addressing the lack of substantial racial, ethnic, immigrant, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability diversity in the legal profession.

2024-2025 Council Members