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Pennsylvania

Diversity Portal

Disability Services Committee

The Disability Services Committee shall institute statewide programs to educate both lawyers and the public on issues regarding the legal rights of the disabled. The committee shall study and make recommendations concerning all legislation or rule-making pertaining to mentally disabled and physically handicapped persons.

PBA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team

The PBA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team establishes resources and forums for enhanced communication among PBA groups with diversity initiatives. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team  is committed to work collaboratively with PBA leadership, staff and all other PBA-related groups and entities, including the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation, the Pennsylvania Bar Insurance Fund and Trust Fund, PABAR-PAC and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, to promote and enhance diversity. Each member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team (Diversity Ambassadors) works collaboratively with PBA groups to promote and enhance their existing diversity initiatives and/or assist with creating new opportunities. The PBA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team has been established by recommendation of the PBA Diversity Task Force, as unanimously approved by the PBA Board of Governors on Nov. 17, 2010.

LGBTQ+ Rights

The LGBTQ+ Rights Committee shall study matters pertaining to the recognition and protection of the legal rights of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) community. The committee will monitor and make recommendations on issues and developments in the law impacting LGBTQ+ people in the public and the legal profession.

Minority Bar

The mission of the Minority Bar Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association (hereinafter PBA) is to assure full and equal participation of minorities in the PBA, the legal profession, and the justice system in general. In order to achieve this mission, the Minority Bar Committee will:

  • Identify and promote opportunities that allow minorities within the legal profession to participate fully in the work, responsibilities, and rewards of the PBA and the legal profession in general. Included in this objective are matters relating to the advancement of minorities within law firms and other professional and business entities, job opportunities for minorities, elimination of racial discrimination in the legal profession and within the broader community, and effective avenues for minority lawyers and judges to avail themselves of opportunities within the PBA to address issues of special interest to minority lawyers.
  • Monitor the current status of minorities in the legal profession and the justice system in general, identify their career paths and goals, and actively promote their advancement and achievement.
  • Develop educational programs in the way of seminars and surveys, among other measures, to address discrimination against minorities within the legal profession, and the justice system in general.
  • Make recommendations to the PBA Board of Governors and House of Delegates for action on issues affecting minorities within the legal profession and the justice system in general.
  • Make recommendations to the judicial, legislative, and executive branches of government, and other groups within the justice system on issues affecting racial minorities and their communities in accordance with the PBA Bylaws.

Women in the Profession Commission

The Commission on Women in the Profession shall assess the current status of women in the legal profession and identify barriers that prevent them from full participation in the work, responsibilities and rewards of the profession; make recommendations to the PBA Board of Governors and House of Delegates for action to solve problems the commission identifies and develop educational programs to address discrimination against women lawyers and the unique problems they encounter in pursuing their professional careers.

Diversity and Inclusion Resources

The Pennsylvania Bar Association promotes diversity in its activities, including the election of its officers, Board of Governors and House of Delegates, employment of its staff, composition of committees, sections and task forces, participation in meetings, seminars, publications and other educational activities it sponsors, and choosing its vendors.

Local Bar Associations

Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania

The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania (APABA of PA) has been known for its advocacy for the Asian Pacific American community since 1984. The Asian Pacific American Bar Association provides many benefits for its members and the public. For members it provides personal networking opportunities, subscription to a weekly newsletter with upcoming events, access to job postings, and many monthly events to help the Asian Pacific American community within Pennsylvania. Members of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association are given the opportunity to work pro bono with other organizations in the area. For example, many members volunteer for the AIDS Law Project, the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, and with the Center for Disability Law and Policy.

Asian Attorneys Committee of the ACBA

The continuing mission of the Asian Attorneys Committee is to represent the interests of Asian attorneys, judges, law professors, law students and other legal professionals in western Pennsylvania. The Asian Attorneys Committee will work to promote the recruitment, retention, and professional development of Asians in the legal profession. It will serve as a catalyst for the advancement of the local Asian community.

South Asian Bar Association of Philadelphia

The South Asian Bar Association of Philadelphia (SABA-Philly) seeks to strengthen the rapidly growing Philadelphia South Asian legal community with a recognized and trusted forum for professional growth and advancement, and promotes access to justice and civil rights for the South Asian community. Our goals and objectives include: 1. Professional Growth: To provide mentorship and support for our members and create a networking medium, as well as professional development opportunities for individual law students and attorneys. 2. Diversity and Inclusion: To promote diversity and inclusion efforts that ensure equal participation in the legal profession and greater representation in the judiciary. 3. Civil Rights: To combat efforts to limit and marginalize the South Asian and immigrant communities. 4. Access to Justice: To educate the South Asian community by providing legal information and access to a network of pro bono services.

Hispanic Attorneys Committee of the ACBA

The Hispanic Attorneys Committee will provide assistance for the educational and professional advancement of its members. The Committee will also represent the interest of Hispanic lawyers, judges, law professors, law students and other interested members in western Pennsylvania. The Committee will be dedicated to assisting the Hispanic community and serving as a voice for it. It will also work to ensure the recruitment, retention and professional development of Hispanic Americans in the legal profession as well as in law schools. It will serve as a catalyst for the advancement of the local Hispanic community and the bridge between the community at large and the Hispanic community.

Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania

The Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania (HBA) has grown exponentially over its years in the community. Its membership consists of not only business leaders and educators but also law students, newly admitted lawyers, and paralegals. The HBA specifically addresses the issues facing Hispanic legal professionals and the Hispanic community within Pennsylvania. Today, the HBA is growing in diversity as the population of Pennsylvania has grown over time. Staying involved in the community is of utmost importance to the HBA and thus, it works with local environmental organizations to promote local projects. This involvement with the community allows the HBA to communicate, educate, and provide networking opportunities for all attorneys within Pennsylvania.

Barristers Association of Philadelphia

The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Inc. helps address the professional needs and development of Black lawyers in the City of Philadelphia and surrounding areas through programs, seminars, cultural events, and publications. Joining us will enhance your legal experience in the city — and keep you on the road to success!

Homer S. Brown Division of the ACBA

The ACBA Homer S. Brown Division shall provide its members with an effective means of participating in activities of the Allegheny County Bar Association (ACBA) and other activities directed toward improving the administration of justice and promoting the public welfare. HSBD will provide a forum to deal with problems and obligations that affect African-American members of the ACBA and to inform the ACBA of the needs and opinions of its African-American members. HSBD shall develop education, networking, public service programs, and any other service that it deems will assist members of the ACBA, the local African-American community, protect the political and civil rights of people of African descent and assist local law students of African descent.

Diversity Collaborative Committee of the ACBA

The mission of the ACBA Committee for Diversity and Inclusion (“CDI”) is to work collaboratively with the ACBA leadership, members, staff and other Committees, Sections and Divisions to address diversity and inclusion issues and promote diversity and inclusion initiatives as they relate to diverse attorneys and law students, the bar association, and the legal community and to function as a resource for the community at large. CDI will serve as a catalyst to: represent the interests of diverse attorneys, including recruitment, retention, advancement and inclusion; support the needs of diverse attorneys; develop resources and educate the legal community on diversity and inclusion issues/best practices; and support the diversity and inclusion efforts of other Committees, Sections and Divisions of the ACBA.

Young Lawyers Division Diversity Committee of the ACBA

In 2008, the YLD formed the Diversity Committee to address its concerns regarding the lack of diversity in the profession and ACBA. Through social events, educational events and mentoring, the Committee works independently and in conjunction with the other minority focused committees to increase and retain young minority involvement in the ACBA. The YLD Diversity Committee’s keynote event is the annual Diverse Law Student Reception, which is in the fall of each year. At the Diverse Law Student Reception, diverse law students from the local law schools are invited to attend to learn more about the ACBA and to network with the diverse attorneys of the Bar.

LGBT Rights Committee of the ACBA

The LGBTQ+ Rights Committee brings together lawyers, judges, law professors, law students and other legal professionals interested in addressing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and advancing equality for sexual minority persons and their families. The Committee seeks to create educational, networking and mentoring opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. The Committee will monitor, make recommendations and conduct educational programming on issues and developments in the law having an impact on LGBTQ+ people in the public and in the legal profession.

Women in the Law Division of the ACBA

This Division has a mission of creating and sponsoring programs to educate the members of the bar and the judiciary as to the character and impact of overt and subtle barriers which deny women the opportunity to achieve full integration and equal participation in the work, responsibilities, and rewards of the legal profession. It shall work cooperatively with other organizations formed for the purpose of resolving problems created by such barriers within the legal system of Allegheny County, activate a committee to explore and make recommendations concerning the treatment of women as attorneys, judicial candidates, judges, jurors, witnesses, litigants, and employees throughout the legal system of Allegheny County, and respond quickly and appropriately to incidents of gender-based discrimination in the legal profession.