Visible Invisibility: Women of Color in Law Firms
The Commission conducted a survey and focus groups to get a picture of the experiences women attorneys of color had working in law firms. Read the findings here.
Women of Color Research Initiative
This research and accompanying toolkit explore the unique experiences of women of color in the law, who face bias and other obstacles due to the intersectionality of their gender and race.
The Unique Experiences of Women Lawyers of Color
How can the profession become more inclusive to them?
What attracts women of color to the legal profession? Do their work experiences surpass or fall short of expectations? How do legal employers hinder or increase job satisfaction? Why do women attorneys of color change practice areas and organizations or leave the profession at an alarming rate? The Commission explored the unique concerns and experiences of Hispanic, African-American, Native American, and Asian American women in the legal profession to begin dialogue on how the legal profession can facilitate the full and robust participation of this group of talented lawyers.
Research - methodologyFree Reports
From Visible Invisibility to Visibly Successful
What can we do to remove the obstacles keeping women lawyers of color from achieving the success they deserve? Read more to get strategies both for women of color and their employers to end racial and gender disparity at your firm.
Guided Conversations Project
The Commission developed a report, This Talk Isn't Cheap: Women of Color and White Women Attorneys Find Common Ground, which allowed women of color and white women attorneys to discuss their relationship with one another in the workplace via a series of interviews. This report will be a part of the Guided Conversations Project, consisting of facilitator’s video and guide that will help promote conversation in the workplace on racial dynamics.
Planning Your Program
Scenarios
Written Scenarios
A library of written scenarios for large or small group discussion with a discussion guide for presenters.
Use Permissions
The Women of Color Research Initiative can be used by organizations to design a program free of charge. The following language should appear on program materials: "©2016 by the American Bar Association. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. This information or any or portion thereof may not be copied or disseminated in any form or by any means or stored in an electronic database or retrieval system without the express written consent of the American Bar Association."
Speakers Bureau
Learn about potential speakers and panelists.
ABA Fund for Justice and Education
Got Questions?
Contact Commission Program Specialist Cecilia Boyd at cecilia.boyd@americanbar.org or 312-988-5679.
More Career Resources
While we are nudging systemic change along, learn how to move your career forward right now. Our Grit Toolkit has the resources you need.