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Law360 Pulse's dive into law firms' diversity data at the end of 2021 shows that incremental improvements have added up over time, but also spotlights just how far most firms have to go to make good on their diversity and inclusion commitments.
Many law firms have renewed those commitments in recent years, and now must put their promises into action. Firms are shaking up the status quo by supporting diversity efforts, setting goals, tapping new leadership, and holding themselves accountable in order to advance diversity in the profession.
Our annual survey reveals some advances, as the diversity of firms' attorney workforce continues to rise. However, the differences from last year are modest at best.
Check out the full coverage from this year's Diversity Snapshot below.
Law360's Diversity Snapshot: How Firms Stack Up
By Gerald Schifman | Graphics by Rachel Reimer | July 25, 2022
Law firms have made incremental progress toward diversifying their attorney ranks, yet many firms are behind on their diversity, equity and inclusion goals. In this year's Diversity Snapshot, Law360 Pulse takes a look at how diversity in law firms' headcounts compares with what it could be based on the potential marketplace of new hires.
Law360's Diversity Snapshot: Representation In The Ranks
By Jacqueline Bell | Graphics by Jonathan Hayter | July 25, 2022
Law360's latest Diversity Snapshot ranking provides a window into the demographic realities of law firms at the end of 2021, a year when many law firms were engaged in a historic hiring spree and looking for opportunities to grow and evolve. Here's a more detailed look at the representation of minority attorneys at the associate and at the partner level.
Law360's Diversity Snapshot: What You Need To Know
By Jacqueline Bell | Graphics by Jonathan Hayter | July 25, 2022
As many law firms have renewed their commitments to diversity, the task of the past year has been to bring new energy to the work and put those promises into action. Here's our data dive into minority representation at law firms in 2021.
Nonpartners Hit Diversity Milestone, But Leadership Drags
By Brandon Lowrey | Graphics by Jonathan Hayter | July 25, 2022
For the first time at U.S. law firms, more than one in four nonpartners are people of color, a Law360 survey has found — a milestone that shows some progress but underscores the profession's lack of diversity, particularly among firm leadership.
How Some BigLaw Firms Are Moving The Needle On Diversity
By Jack Karp | July 25, 2022
Improving diversity among its attorneys proved to be a continuing challenge for BigLaw last year. Law360 spoke with diversity professionals at several of the firms making visible progress about what they're doing that's working and what lessons they've learned in the process.
BigLaw Improves On Diversity, But Process Remains Slow
By Xiumei Dong | July 26, 2022
Fueled by a year of busy recruiting, many BigLaw firms have outperformed smaller firms when it comes to increasing their proportion of lawyers from diverse backgrounds. But the process is still slow, diversity consultants and legal recruiters say, pointing out that many of them have been dedicating resources and money to the effort for years.
These Law Firms Have The Most-Diverse Equity Partnerships
By Jacqueline Bell | July 26, 2022
While law firms overall continue to take only modest steps towards achieving their longstanding diversity and inclusion goals, some firms are making significant strides and showing that progress is possible even in the uppermost ranks.
How Law Firms Can Develop A Diversity Action Plan
By Anna Sanders | July 26, 2022
If your firm is still looking to put a diversity action plan in place, here are some tips from experts and firms that have made that happen.
What's Working For Mid-Law In Effort To Improve Diversity
By Emma Cueto | July 26, 2022
Law360 Pulse spoke with Mid-Law firms at the top of this year's Diversity Snapshot rankings for midsize firms about how they approach diversity work, what's working for their firm, and how they think the rest of the industry stacks up.
Future Lawyers Expect DEI Commitments Beyond Recruiting
Edited by Nataleeya Boss | July 25, 2022
To attract future lawyers from diverse backgrounds, firms must think beyond recruiting efforts, because law students are looking for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that invest in employee professional development and engage with students year-round, says Lauren Jackson at Howard University School of Law.