H C B A
P R E S I D E N T ’ S
John A. Schifino – Gunster
M E S S A G E
Why We Need to Keep Talking
About Diversity and Inclusion
True diversity and inclusion in the legal profession
requires more than checking off boxes.
I
n some respects, the legal
profession appears to be growing
more diverse. Three women now
serve on the Supreme Court. Our
former president and first lady are
lawyers of color. In Florida, Attorneys
General Ashley Moody and Pam Bondi
serve and served as the State’s top lawyer.
But U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics tell a
different story.
The legal profes sion is one of the least
racially diverse professions in the nation.
Almost 88 percent of lawyers are white.
Other professions are faring better — 79
percent of banking and financial service pro -
fessionals are white; 79 percent of physicians
are white; 1 and 81 percent of ac count ants
are white. Women also face significant challenges in
our profession. Though women now make up a majority
of U.S. law school students, they make up only 35 percent
of our lawyers. In leadership positions, women account
for only 22.7 percent of partners; 19 percent of equity
partners; and 25 percent of managing partners. 2
Lawyers serve as presidents and governors. They serve
in both chambers of the United States Congress and all
state governments. And of course, they serve on the bench
and as prosecutors and public defenders. As society’s
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