NALP has a longstanding commitment to be an advocate for diversity in the legal profession and in our membership. The Diversity Section is for NALP members with a particular interest in or responsibility for advocating for diversity in legal education and legal employment. This section will serve as a resource for all NALP members on matters of diversity. Diversity directors and those focusing on diversity matters at law firms and law schools are encouraged to join their colleagues in this section.

Join Section Group on NALPconnect

2012-2013 Section Chair: Melanie Priddy, Bingham McCutchen LLP, melanie.priddy@bingham.com

July 2012 Board Report (PDF)

November 2012 Board Report (PDF)

February 2013 Board Report (PDF)

Workgroups:

Annual Education Conference/Bulletin Article Planning
Brainstorm with Section membership to develop ideas and identify speakers for the 2013 Annual Education Conference in Austin, Texas and topics for Bulletin articles. Assist members through the completion of the RFP processes for both. Vice Chairs: Paula Edgar, Seton Hall University School of Law, Eliza Park Musallam, American University Washington College of Law, and Jessica Maroney Shillito, Shearman & Sterling

Diversity Summit Panning Work Group
A small work group of three members will serve on the 2013 Diversity Summit Planning team. Work Group members: Carlos Davila-Caballero, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP and Mieko Rechka, Sidley & Austin LLP

Diversity Leadership: The Retention/Inclusion Imperative
This work group will consider how best to disseminate the information captured through interviews of diverse leaders a year or so ago. This work group will consider how to use the interviews effectively and in particular consider how to use NALPconnect, the NALP website, the NALP Bulletin, NALPnow! and other media. Vice Chair: Lori Lorenzo, University of Miami School of Law

Pipeline Initiatives Education
Through various NALP media, highlight partnerships and opportunities for law schools and legal employers to impact the pipeline of diverse law students. Educate NALP members through Bulletin articles, NALPconnect and the NALP website. Vice Chair: Chia Kang, Ropes & Gray LLP

NALPconnect Workgroup (Bibliography):
Introduce social media to section. Develop and update materials and resources to be posted on the home page. Materials and resources could include “best of” sessions from the 2011 NALP educational programming (Annual Conference, Diversity Summit, the Lawyer Professional Development Program, Newer Professional Forum, Professional Development Institute, and PSLawNet Mini Conference), as well as NALP and NALP Foundation webinars. Vice Chair: Kristine McKinney, Faegre Baker Daniels LLP and Sherry Ann Smith, Cardozo Law School

2011-2012 Section Chair: Demetria Johnson, Hogan Lovells, LLP, demetria.johnson@hoganlovells.com

April 2012 Board Report (PDF)

February 2012 Board Report (PDF)

November 2011 Board Report (PDF)

July 2011 Board Report (PDF)

2011 Survey on Law Firm Diversity Committees (PDF)

Work Groups:

Annual Education Conference/Bulletin Article Planning
Brainstorm with Section membership to develop ideas and identify speakers for the 2012 Annual Education Conference in Austin, Texas and topics for Bulletin articles. Assist members through the completion of the RFP processes for both. Vice Chairs: Carlos Davila-Caballero, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP (Annual Conference RFPS); Chia Kang, Ropes & Gray LLP (Bulletin RFPs); Eliza Park Musallam, American University Washington College of Law (Annual Conference RFPS); and Sherry-Ann Smith, Cardozo Law School (Annual Conference RFPS).

Diversity Summit Panning Work Group
A small work group of three members will serve on the 2012 Diversity Summit Planning team. Work Group members: Melique Jones, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Nicole White, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Aymara Zielina, Pepperdine University School of Law (appointed).

Diversity Leadership: The Retention/Inclusion Imperative
In today’s global economy, a diverse work force is vital to building organizational strength. An often overlooked strategy for improving diversity is to tap into the wealth of knowledge and survival tactics of diverse leaders. This work group seeks to celebrate diverse leadership within our industry by interviewing diverse professionals and featuring their stories, challenges and victories for publication in the NALP Bulletin, NALPnow! and other media. This group will continue to grow, archive, update (annually), and publicize the profiles of diverse members. This group also seeks to highlight best retention and inclusion efforts particularly during a time of economic distress and investigate the creation of an informal NALP affinity group for diverse professionals. Vice Chair: Rachel Simmonds-Watson, Debevoise & Plimpton.

Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals Collaboration
Develop initiatives and opportunities to collaborate with and support the Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals, including quarterly conference calls. Vice Chair: Tamara Toussaint, Ford & Harrison.

Pipeline Initiatives Resource
Continue to identify, update, and consolidate partnerships and opportunities for law schools and legal employers to impact the pipeline of diverse law students. Gather information on relevant programs and educate NALP members through Bulletin articles and provide information for the NALP website. Vice Chairs: Karen Hester, University of Kansas School of Law and Debbie Milwood-Rowe, FIU College of Law.

Track Programming
Collaborate with the Members Services Advisory Group to identify and compile resources that are designed to help members new to the profession. Resources should include “best of” sessions from the 2010/2011 NALP educational programming (Annual Conference, Diversity Summit, the Lawyer Professional Development Program, Newer Professional Forum, Professional Development Institute, and PSLawNet Mini Conference), as well as NALP and NALP Foundation webinars. Vice Chair: Jessica Maroney, Shearman & Sterling.

2010-2011 Section Chair: Nicole Horne White, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, nicole.white@morganlewis.com

April 2011 Board Report (PDF)

February 2011 Board Report (PDF)

November 2010 Board Report (PDF)

July 2010 Board Report (PDF)

Work Groups:

Annual Education Conference/Bulletin Article Planning
Brainstorm with Section membership to develop ideas and identify speakers for the 2011 Annual Education Conference in Palm Springs, California and topics for Bulletin articles. Assist members through the completion of the RFP processes for both. Vice-Chairs: Demetria Johnson, Hogan Lovells(RFPs) and Karen Hester, University of Kansas (Bulletin articles).

Diversity Summit
Create a small work group of two-three members who will serve on the Diversity Summit Planning team. Vice-Chair: Kristine McKinney, Faegre & Benson LLP, Eliza Park Musallam, American University Washington College of Law, and Sharon Crane, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.

Diversity Leadership: The Retention/Inclusion Imperative
In today's global economy, a diverse work force is vital to building organizational strength. An often overlooked strategy for improving diversity is to tap into the wealth of knowledge and survival tactics of diverse leaders. This work group will seek to celebrate diverse leadership within our industry by interviewing diverse professionals and featuring their stories, challenges and victories for publication in the NALP Bulletin, NALPnow! and other media. This group also seeks to highlight best retention and inclusion efforts particularly during a time of economic distress and investigate the creation of an informal NALP affinity group for diverse professionals. Vice-Chairs: Melanie Priddy, Katten Muchin and Denise Robinson, O’Melveny & Myers.

Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals Collaboration
Develop initiatives and opportunities to collaborate with and support the Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals, including quarterly conference calls. Vice-Chair: Rachel Simmonds-Watson, Debevoise & Plimpton.

Pipeline Initiatives Resource
Continuing the work from the 2008-2009 Work Group, identify, update, consolidate partnerships and opportunities for law schools and legal employers to impact the pipeline of diverse law students. Gather information on relevant programs and educate NALP members through Bulletin articles and provide information for the NALP website. Vice Chairs: Jessica Maroney, Shearman & Sterling and Chia Kang, Ropes & Gray.

2009-2010 Section Chair: Kisha Nunez, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, kcnunez@wlrk.com

April 2010 Board Report (PDF)

February 2010 Board Report (PDF)

November 2009 Board Report (PDF)

July 2009 Board Report (PDF)

Work Groups:

Annual Education Conference/Bulletin Article Planning
Brainstorm with Section membership to develop ideas and identify speakers for the 2010 Annual Education Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico and topics for Bulletin articles. Assist members through the completion of the RFP processes for both. Vice-Chairs: Nicole Horne-White (conference), Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP & Melanie Priddy (Bulletin articles), Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

Diversity Summit
Create a small work group of two-three members who will serve on the Diversity Summit Planning team. Vice-Chair: Rachel Simmonds-Watson, Debevoise & Plimpton

Diversity Leadership: The Retention/Inclusion Imperative
In today's global economy, a diverse work force is vital to building organizational strength. An often overlooked strategy for improving diversity is to tap into the wealth of knowledge and survival tactics of diverse leaders. This work group will seek to celebrate diverse leadership within our industry by interviewing diverse professionals and featuring their stories, challenges and victories for publication in the NALP Bulletin and other media. This group will also seek to highlight best retention and inclusion efforts particularly during a time of economic distress and investigate the creation of an informal NALP affinity group for diverse professionals. Vice-Chairs: Crystal Deazle, University of Pennsylvania Law School & Donna Harris, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals Collaboration
Develop initiatives and opportunities to collaborate with and support the Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals. Consider an initiative related to retention of diverse professionals during the current economic downturn. Vice-Chair: Maja Hazell, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, LLP