Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The ABA is the professional organization for Lawyers in America. This page includes information on ABA resources and programing related to diversity and inclusion.

"The goal of the Racial Justice Improvement Project is to create a pathway by which local communities can address critical criminal justice issues that contribute to the racially disparate impact of the criminal justice system." This group is developing model reforms and advocacy tools that can be adopted by change-makers in local jurisdictions.

"The ACLU Racial Justice Program aims to preserve and extend constitutionally guaranteed rights to people who have historically been denied their rights on the basis of race." This site's collection of features, cases, and reports form a rich record of its work.

Started as a revolving bail fund in the Bronx, the project now provides a model for similar initiatives around the country. Its continuing work serves to demonstrate that criminalizing proverty is unjust and unnecessary.

"The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society." Part of EJI's mission is to educate the public on racism's origins and dispell the narratives that have led to systemic injustice.

Nearly 300 law firms have signed on to be part of the LFAA, a collaboration seeking to help the legal industry understand and reform systemic racial injustices. A priority project will identify "laws, rules, policies and practices that result in negative outcomes for people of color."

"The Legal Impact Network is a dynamic collaborative of advocacy organizations from across the country working with communities to end poverty and achieve racial justice at the federal, state, and local levels." The Legal Impact Network counts Philadelphia Community Legal Services among its members.

"Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans." LDF training programs and scholarship opportunties support advocates building a better future.

NACDL members "advocate for policy and practice improvements in the criminal justice system." Its efforts to battle racial disparity have considered the history of race in America, implicit bias, and state and federal reforms. A collection of reports explain what role racial disparities impact key aspects of the criminal justice system.

The Institute is a national leadership development program, training Fellows race-equity and anti-poverty advocacy to advance racial justice. "It is more important than ever for advocates for race equity to understand and address issues of race, implicit bias, and how to affirmatively advance racial equity."

The Southern Poverty Law Center represents victims of discrimination and hate in legal actions. Cases have spanned children’s rights, economic justice, immigrant justice, LGBTQ rights, voting rights, and criminal justice reform.

Originating with a New York City bail reform project, this group seeks to build a working, equitable justice system. Its mission: "We work with others who share our vision to tackle the most pressing injustices of our day—from the causes and consequences of mass incarceration, racial disparities, and the loss of public trust in law enforcement, to the unmet needs of the vulnerable, the marginalized, and those harmed by crime and violence."