When Bloomberg Law looked at the backgrounds of members of Congress a few years ago, it found that 54% of senators and 37% of House members had law degrees.
The nine U.S. Supreme Court justices have law degrees, as do most federal and state judges.
And for those who think the business of America is business, you can bet most corporations have a ton of lawyers, too.
In fact, on every critical issue in American society – from affirmative action to a women’s right to control her own body, from LGBTQ+ rights to consumer protections and environmental concerns – lawyers and the judges chosen from their ranks play an outsized role in determining the outcome.
With the possible exception of journalism – OK, I’m biased – no other profession affects American society to such a degree.
That makes it all the more imperative that the legal profession look more like America. And it’s why next month’s second annual Empire State Legal Diversity Career Fair at the University at Buffalo is so important.
Having a legal profession that incorporates the diverse perspectives of America – in terms of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical difference or simply life experience – is the only way to ensure equitable treatment under the law.
“Having the varied perspectives helps your client get a better outcome,” is how Samantha White, president of the Minority Bar Association of Western New York, puts it.
Yet, despite recent progress, the 2022 American Bar Association Profile of the Legal Profession found that “white people are still overrepresented in the legal profession.”
That’s why the Minority Bar Association, the Bar Association of Erie County and UB’s School of Law joined forces to put on the career fair, which takes place this year on Aug. 11 in UB’s Center for Tomorrow.
Those who register and supply resumes by July 31 will be assured of being matched with employers looking for the skills they offer. But…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply