The Diversity Department

The Diversity Department is tasked with implementing the State Bar’s statement of core value for diversity which states: This value represents our commitment to ensuring that the legal profession and the justice system reflect the community it serves in all of its social, economic, and geographical diversity.  It is seeking out representatives of underrepresented groups to add their strength to the legal profession and to the advancement of justice in all areas of society.

The State Bar of Arizona recognizes that diversity goes hand-in-hand with inclusion.  We strive to value and respect diversity and inclusion of our employees and the clients that we serve.  Valuing our differences in thought, background and perspective is more than our philosophy; it is at the core of our business.  Inclusion helps us to create a culture that embraces the best people from the widest range of talent.  The Diversity Department is committed to providing the direction on diversity and inclusion so that the State Bar can offer the best services possible to its internal and external customers. 

State Bar In-house Diversity Committee

The in-house Diversity Committee is made up of staff volunteers within the State Bar who assist in the planning and promotion of diversity and inclusion activities within the organization.   The committee meets quarterly and is responsible for planning, observing, celebrating diversity and important dates such as the Black Heritage Month in February, the National Women’s History Month in March, the Gay/Lesbian Recognition Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month in September, the National Disability Awareness Month in November, and Native American Heritage Month in November, just to mention a few.

Bar Leadership Institute of Arizona

Program Overview

The Leadership Institute is a nine-month program designed to foster the professional growth and enhance the leadership skills of a diverse group of Arizona attorneys. In doing so, we hope to increase participation and visibility in the State Bar and community-at-large among historically under-represented groups, with a focus on racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability and geographic diversity.

The attorneys selected to participate in the Leadership Institute receive:

• Up to two years of CLE credit;
• Leadership and related education and training in an experiential and mentoring learning environment;
• Opportunities to foster relationships with the State Bar of Arizona, minority, women, diversity and specialty bar associations, the Judicial, Legislative and Executive Branches of State government, and community leaders

The program fee is $150 but subject to change. However, the fee can be waived based on an applicant’s financial need. The program is a two-year commitment. The normal starting date is in September, with a completion date of May.

Following the completion of the program, participants are required to commit to an additional one year of activity in the State Bar in some capacity (e.g. committee, section, or by special appointment, and/or participation in another bar association or community organization).

Program Sessions

Program sessions cover a variety of topics ranging from leadership development, ethics and career development, to conversations with judges, government attorneys, in-house counsel and executives, etc. Sessions occur monthly starting with an overnight retreat usually on a weekend.  Subsequent monthly sessions are held on Fridays.

Application Process

To be considered for the program, applicants must:

1. Complete the Application Form (requires a resume for upload)
2. Be an active member of the State Bar of Arizona
3. Demonstrate interest in bar and/or community-related activities

For the 2010-2011 class, application forms are due June 18, 2010.  Applicants will be notified of their selection status by August 6, 2010.  While we recommend applicants be nominated by employers or other individuals who are familiar with the applicant, such nominations are not required to be considered for the program.

Attendance: Participants who miss more than two sessions will be asked to withdraw and therefore not able to receive certificates at the end of the course.  Absences will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

For more information call 602-340-7393 or visit our web site: www.myazbar.org/BarLeadership

The Diversity Pipeline Initiative      

The Diversity Pipeline Initiative is one of the most important components of the State Bar of Arizona’s diversity and inclusion efforts. The initiative partners with Arizona’s law firms, schools, universities, and community organizations to encourage young people, especially people in underrepresented populations, to consider careers in the law.

Objective

The objective is to connect lawyers and law students with our schools, communities, and civic organizations to inform our young people about the steps necessary to become an attorney or to have a legal career.

Diversity Pipeline Project

In 2009 the State Bar’s Diversity Department launched the Diversity Pipeline Project to complement existing pipeline programs.

The project exposes students, from diverse backgrounds, to the benefits of higher education to encourage them to attend law school, pass the bar, and become attorneys. Project volunteers mentor the youngsters and guide them through the pipeline from entry to advancement in the legal profession. The project is a collaboration involving the State Bar, Arizona foundation for Legal Services and Education, the bench, other bar associations, law schools, universities, school districts, law firms and the public sector.

The unique thing about the State Bar’s diversity pipeline project is that we go to the students so that they are not removed from their familiar school environment.

How the Diversity Pipeline Project Works

The State Bar in 2009 adopted Cloves C. Campbell Sr. Elementary School (7th and 8th grades) in South Phoenix to start its diversity pipeline project. The State Bar and the school hope to establish a long-term partnership. We will track the progress of the 8th graders, especially those who may attend South Mountain High School because of its proximity to The Cloves Campbell School and its law magnate program.

Targeting the K-12 student population provides us the opportunity to encourage the young students not only to think about higher education but to consider careers in the legal field.

State Bar and Foundation staff, Phoenix School of Law student volunteers, and some practicing attorneys who are also volunteers visited Cloves Campbell Elementary School several times during the 2009-10 school year to engage the students in various law-related interactive exercises. Eighth grade students went on a field trip to Phoenix Municipal Court where they met Chief Presiding Judge Roxanne K. Song Ong and Judge Carol Scott Berry.  The students participated in a short mock trial, acting as a judge, jury, bailiff, prosecution and defense attorneys, and, of course, a defendant. They visited the State Bar offices where they met with a paralegal, legal secretary and investigator at the State Bar’s office to gain an insight into other jobs in the legal field.

Summer Law Camp and High School Law Symposium

In 2009 the State Bar collaborated with the Indian Legal Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University to host a summer law camp. Students participated in a mock trial and learned about college and law school admissions process. In 2010, the State Bar partnered with the Phoenix School of Law to host a well-attended High School Law Symposium.  The State Bar plans to continue partnering with Arizona law schools to encourage more high school students to pursue a law degree.

The State Bar’s free diversity pipeline programs are open to students from all backgrounds. Students from underrepresented populations are particularly encouraged to attend. More information about the Summer Law Camp and our Diversity Pipeline initiatives is available by calling 602-340-7393 or by visiting our web site at www.azbar.org/diversity.