The State Bar advances inclusion and diversity in the legal profession by focusing in key areas of influence, specifically pipeline into the legal profession, retention and career advancement, and judicial diversity. The State Bar adopted as its diversity definition the reporting categories in Government Code section 12011.5(n): race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, and veteran status.
The State Bar’s inclusion and diversity work seeks to achieve a statewide attorney population that reflects the rich demographics of the state's population.Goal four of the State Bar’s Strategic Plan includes several objectives for diversifying the legal profession and the following efforts:
The State Bar conducts an annual Attorney Census to gather demographic and employment data from the state’s licensees. The 2019 Attorney Census contained questions on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, employment type (i.e., sector, job role, and law firm size), career satisfaction, involvement in pro bono services, and malpractice insurance.
Enhancements to the 2020 Attorney Census include new questions on veteran status, job title, practice area, supervisorial roles, and salary.
Analyses conducted by the State Bar have documented changes in the attorney population, career trajectories, and experiences in the legal profession in a variety of fields. The Attorney Census analyses highlight benchmarks for progress and inform potential areas of opportunity for the State Bar’s inclusion and diversity priorities. If you have any questions regarding the collection or use of this data, contact surveydata@calbar.ca.gov or visit Attorney Census Frequently Asked Questions.
The State Bar's Council on Access and Fairness is comprised of lawyers, judges, and members of the public advising the State Bar Board of Trustees and others on ways to advance strategies and goals for diversity.
The Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation compiles a yearly demographics report on the candidates it has reviewed for appointment by the governor.