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 Diversity Discussion List

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

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