NAWJ WEIGHS IN ON MINORITY LAWYER PROGRESSION IN NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL

On November 29, 2006, The New York Times published an article reviewing the results of a study prepared by UCLA law professor Richard H. Sander. An abstract of the article is available here. See also Richard H. Sander, The Racial Paradox of the Corporate Law Firm, 84 N.C. L. Rev. 1755 (2006). In his study, Professor Sander cited poor grades as the primary reason that African-Americans are lagging at major law firms The following is NAWJ's editorial response:

To the Editor:

“Lawyers Debate Why Blacks Lag at Major Firms” did not acknowledge the many bar association- and court-sponsored diversity studies that have documented patterns of racial bias that continue to impede the progress of minorities, especially African-Americans, Latinos and Native Americans, in large law firms.

Many of these studies focus on an often unconscious presumption of incompetence that clouds law firm decision-making with respect to minority attorneys. The result is that minority associates are disproportionately denied training and mentoring opportunities; early mistakes are often fatal to the advancement of minority attorneys while excused for their white peers; and desirable assignments, case referrals and opportunities for partner and client contact tend to be funneled more often to white associates.

These findings belong in any discussion of the factors determining the career success of minority attorneys and the larger question of our society’s ability to achieve a diverse legal profession.

Brenda Stith Loftin 
President, National Association of Women Judges 
St. Louis, Nov. 30, 2006