The State Bar of Wisconsin has revised its definition of “diversity” in response to a two-year legal challenge brought by the conservative legal group, Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL), which alleged the bar’s leadership programs discriminated on the basis of race. The bar will now define diversity more broadly, focusing on “differing characteristics,…
Canadian Bar Association on measuring diversity
The article Measuring Diversity highlights the growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion (D&I) within Canadian law firms, reflecting the increasingly diverse nature of the national workforce. In recognition of this shift, many firms are integrating D&I considerations into their talent management strategies to foster more inclusive and high-performing work environments. To support these efforts, the…
Continued suspension of diversity standard suggested by American Bar Association legal education committee
On 2 May 2025, the Standards Committee of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar issued a memo recommending that enforcement of Standard 206, which governs diversity and inclusion in law school accreditation, remain suspended until 31 August 2026. This recommendation comes ahead of the Section’s Council meeting scheduled…
Equal Pay Day: large salary gaps continue to exist in the legal profession in Germany
On March 7, 2025, Germany observed Equal Pay Day, symbolizing the persistent gender pay gap, which stood at 16% in 2024—a decrease from 18% in prior years, marking the sharpest drop since 2006, according to the Federal Statistical Office. Adjusted for factors like industry, qualifications, and working hours, the gap remains steady at 6%. This…
The role of regulation in promoting diversity – or why the regulator should not stay out of the way
In a recent blog post, Mark Neale, Chief Executive of the Bar Standards Board of England and Wales, rebutted the suggestion from the Chair of the Bar Council that the regulator should “stay out of the way” concerning issues of equality and diversity within the legal profession. The Bar Standards Board very different stance on…
Legal Services Board unveils interactive map and research to drive action to enhance legal sector diversity
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published an interactive map along with two comprehensive reports aiming to break down barriers within the legal profession that hinder individuals from diverse backgrounds from achieving successful legal careers. These initiatives pinpoint critical stages in legal careers where barriers such as elitist perceptions, undervaluation of non-traditional entry paths, workplace…
Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession: Challenges and Solutions
The Alameda County Bar Association, a representative local Bar Association in California has published a helpful summary on diversity and inclusion issues in the legal profession and how these can be addressed. In “Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession: Challenges and Solutions”, the ACBA highlights the urgent need for increased diversity and inclusion within…
Potential causes of differential outcomes by ethnicity in legal professional assessments
The University of Exeter has published the results of a study commissioned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales, which seeks to explore the reasons behind varying legal qualification outcomes among students of different ethnicities. The research revealed that these differences are likely to stem from a complex interaction of factors including social,…
The Workplace Environment Survey in New Zealand has revealed Pacific lawyers face higher levels of bullying and discrimination than the profession overall
Results from the Workplace Environment Survey (WPES) in New Zealand reveal that Pacific lawyers, particularly Pacific women, face higher rates of bullying, harassment, and discrimination than the overall legal profession. The New Zealand Law Society commissioned additional reporting to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Pacific lawyers. While overall statistics for lawyers…
Women lawyers now make up the majority of associates in the USA but still face many diversity challenges
A report by the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) reveals that women now constitute the majority of associates at US law firms, making up 50.3% according to the organisation’s Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms. The report also indicates a record growth in women at the partnership level, constituting 27.8% of all partners…