Racial & Ethnic Diversity Caucus

As the chair of the ABA Racial and Ethnic Diversity Caucus, it is my sincere pleasure to welcome you to the Caucus.  The Caucus is the home for lawyers of color who belong to the ABA House of Delegates (House) and other House members who share our interest and passion for matters of diversity, inclusion and equity.  Our Caucus is among the largest in the House and it is important that our collective voice continue to be heard.

Despite having lived with and survived the challenges of the pandemic, our Caucus has continued to do its important work.  Perhaps the most visible manifestation of our work has been changing the name of the Caucus from the Minority Caucus to the Racial and Ethnic Diversity Caucus.  Our Caucus has also done a great job supporting the Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund, raising approximately $40,000 during these last two bar years, and I hope that Caucus members will continue to show their support for future lawyers of color through ABA charitable giving opportunities.

We are looking forward to the 2023 Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado and hope to get excellent in-person participation from members of the House.  Our Caucus Meeting will be in-person on Sunday, August 6, from 12pm to 2:30 p.m.  As always it will include presentations from ABA leaders, as well as ABA officer candidates, reports from various diverse bar associations, and consideration of resolutions coming before the House.  

Let us continue to work together to support the ABA and to support our lawyers of color.  I welcome your thoughts and ideas about the Caucus, so please feel free to reach out to me at any time.  I can be reached at [email protected] or (505) 219-5822. 

I am looking forward to seeing you in person at Annual and us having the chance to finally say hi to each other in person and enjoy each other’s fellowship.  

Meeting Resources

Operating Rules

2023 Annual Meeting Agenda

2023 Annual Meeting Resolution Cmte Report

2023 Midyear Meeting Minutes

Signup for the Caucus Listserv

If you would like to be added to the Caucus Listserv, please email catherine.shieh.americanbar.org

What is the ABA Racial & Ethnic Diversity Caucus?

The Racial & Ethnic Diversity Caucus of the ABA House of Delegates (House) provides a forum for underrepresented racial or ethnic members of the House and those House members who have an interest in diversity issues to:

• Work together to initiate, consider support for,  and hear from proponents/opponents on resolutions coming before the House.
• Hear from/engage the ABA President, President-Elect, Chair of the House, Executive Director, Board of Governors (Goal III Minority M-A-L), Candidates for ABA Office, and National Affinity Bar Leadership.
• Meet and network with one another prior to the opening session of the House.
• Support the election/appointment of underrepresented racial and ethnic ABA members to leadership positions and ABA entities throughout the ABA.
  
• Support ABA initiatives germane to the Caucus e.g., ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund etc.

The Caucus meets twice a year, at the ABA Annual and Midyear Meetings.  In person meetings typically take place on Sunday afternoon and virtual meetings on Saturday afternoon preceding the opening of the House. Check the Midyear and Annual Meeting Schedules for dates, times and locations.

Donate to the LOSF

Invest in the Future of the Profession by making a charitable gift today at: ambar.org/donateLOSF 

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