The State Bar of California announced that it has earned Gold level status in its DEI Leadership Seal Program, and the law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has earned Bronze. The two join 34 other California legal organizations that earned a DEI Leadership Seal in 2023, when the State Bar launched the initiative to recognize legal employers who implement research-driven actions that further workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A new round of applications opened for the program today with a March 29, 2024, deadline.
"The DEI Leadership Seal initiative is a cornerstone of the State Bar of California's commitment to fundamentally embed the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal community,” said Leah Wilson, State Bar Executive Director. “This initiative transcends rhetoric, offering a tangible and actionable framework for what it means to be an inclusive organization. In an era where organizations face immense challenges and scrutiny regarding DEI efforts, it is imperative that the State Bar leads by example. This Seal is not just a symbol, but a testament to our dedication to making lasting, meaningful change in the legal profession. We are particularly proud to have achieved Gold Seal status this cycle and look forward to more employers joining our ranks in the upcoming round.”
At the direction of the Board of Trustees, the State Bar engaged with DEI experts in the public and private sector to act as an external review team overseeing the State Bar’s DEI Leadership Seal application. All other applications are reviewed by the State Bar’s Office of Access and Inclusion.
In 2023, 41 other legal organizations committed to the program. They have until June 14, 2024, to implement five to nine of the 10 action items outlined in the program’s requirements. The first two action items are mandatory. Those that meet five of the items will receive a Bronze DEI Leadership Seal, those with seven, Silver, and those with nine, Gold.
The State Bar’s 2022 Diversity Report Card found that the demographics of California’s licensed attorneys do not reflect the diversity of the state’s population. To further its goal of increasing DEI in the profession, the State Bar published Calls to Action that legal employers and attorneys can implement, and the DEI Leadership Seal program utilizes these Calls to Action as the centerpiece of this effort.
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