DIVERSITY PLEDGE

Diversity is an inclusive concept that encompasses, without limitation, a set of characteristics, experiences, conditions, and perspectives that makes each person unique. We recognize that to better reflect the diversity we see in our community and better serve our clients, we must take action to include groups historically underrepresented in the legal profession.

It is well established that, among other benefits, diversity improves innovation, profitability, and performance. The United Nations, the Harvard Business Review, and hundreds of other publications and organizations agree on this point.¹ We believe that a diverse group of talented legal professionals is critical to the success of every law practice, corporate law department, law school, public agency, and organization (collectively, “Legal Organizations”). We further recognize that diversity is beneficial for the legal profession, for business, and for our communities.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical to enhance the public’s confidence in the judicial system. The SDCBA defines “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” as promoting and advocating for all types of Diversity, and purposefully striving to include the various aspects of Diversity in all spaces. Embracing “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” is an active practice and process that includes educating oneself as to the Diversity of others; developing an appreciation for the different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences of people who are Diverse from oneself; creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, accepted, and valued; and enabling underrepresented, underserved, or historically disadvantaged groups to succeed as full participants by creating equitable access, opportunity, and advancement. It is creating a culture that values empathy, inclusion, and inherent human dignity; it is advocating for structures and systems of power that promote fairness and justice; it is building a community where all members are fully involved and empowered because they are welcome and they belong; and it is vigilantly protecting against biased thought, discriminatory action, unequal treatment, and inequitable opportunity.

We seek to gain signatures from San Diego County Legal Organizations that employ 6 or more attorneys.

SDCBA reserves the right to use discretion in accepting signatories to this pledge.

The SDCBA will recognize all Signatories on the SDCBA’s Diversity web page, at the Dialogue on Diversity Series, and annually in the Diversity issue of the San Diego Lawyer magazine. In line with the SDCBA’s mission of supporting local legal organizations, the SDCBA may offer additional promotion of participating Signatories. The SDCBA will provide Signatories with a seal that can be attached to the Signatories’ websites and promotional materials to reflect participation in the SDCBA Diversity Pledge. The SDCBA will also offer Signatories the opportunity to exchange ideas with each other via a dedicated listserv.

Each year, the SDCBA will ask each Signatory to complete a survey that describes progress towards achieving the stated goals:

Hiring & Retention: Has the Signatory hired and retained entry-level and lateral attorneys who substantially represent the diversity of the population of the County of San Diego and the surrounding region or has the Signatory taken steps to hire and retain such entry-level and lateral attorneys?

Promotion & Leadership: Has the Signatory promoted Underrepresented Attorneys to management, supervisory, executive, leadership, and similar senior positions or has the Signatory taken steps to promote Underrepresented Attorneys?

Engagement of Outside Counsel: Has the Signatory considered the participation of Underrepresented Attorneys who will staff a matter on behalf of the outside law firm?

Participation in Legal Community Diversity Initiatives: Has the Signatory regularly and actively participated in diversity and inclusion events, volunteer initiatives, and diversity pathway programs organized by the San Diego County Bar Association (SDCBA), SDCBA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Division, affinity bar associations, and other law-related organizations.

Individual survey responses will not be released to the public; however, the names of Signatories participating in the survey may be publicized, and all survey responses may be aggregated and released publicly in a statistical or summary form.

Signatories will appoint a contact person to communicate with the DEI Division and, ideally, attend DEI Division meetings and events.