DEI

The State Bar of California announced today that six new organizations received its DEI Leadership Seal, and another four organizations have committed to earn a seal.

Since its launch in 2023, the program currently consists of 85 employers (that have earned seals or are committed), including five seal recipients that have moved up from their original bronze or silver designation to silver or gold seals.

The six recipients announced today include one law firm, two nonprofit organizations, two government agencies, and one law school; two earned a Gold Seal, two earned Silver, and two earned Bronze.

“Congratulations to the new recipients of the State Bar’s DEI Leadership Seal program and to the organizations that have newly committed to this important journey,” said Executive Director Laura Enderton-Speed. “Their leadership and dedication to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within California’s legal profession are both commendable and essential. The DEI Leadership Seal program is more than a recognition—it is a call to action that reflects our collective responsibility to support a legal system that is representative, inclusive, and equitable for all.”

The State Bar’s 2024 Diversity Report Card found that while women and people of color both constituted 57 percent of attorneys newly admitted to the State Bar in 2024—an all-time high for representation of both groups—white people remain overrepresented in the attorney population (64 percent) compared to their representation in the state’s adult population (37 percent).

An important part of the State Bar’s mission is to promote and support efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system, and Goal 2 of its 2022–2027 Strategic Plan outlines the DEI mandates.

To earn a DEI Leadership Seal, recipients must implement at least 5 of the 10 Action Items outlined in the program’s requirements. Two Action Items—to collect and maintain demographic data and to create a strategic DEI plan—are mandatory. Those that implement at least 5 Action Items receive a Bronze DEI Leadership Seal; those with at least 7, Silver; and those with at least 9, Gold.

NOTE: The State Bar does not require or encourage any DEI Leadership Seal applicant or participant to make any employment decisions based in whole or in part on any individual’s race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, color, ethnicity, or national origin, or to otherwise treat any individual differently on these bases. DEI Leadership Seal applicants or participants should consult legal counsel with questions concerning their compliance with applicable law.

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The State Bar of California's mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.