Diversity & Inclusion

Blind Spots Seminar
How to Avoid Poor Decisions & Bad Outcomes

Join us in social media interaction for both events #SBMBlindspots

November Program Feedback

Check out President Lori Buteweg’s blog post about the program

Lori’s November Bar Journal Article on Bias

Submit a Pipeline Resource

A data collection tool intended to improve State Bar of Michigan resources by gathering information about programs designed to assist students and others considering the legal profession.
Submit Your Pipeline Resource

Diversity & Inclusion Pipeline Programs

Pipeline Programs

Join the Growing List of Pledge Signatories

List Updated, October 2016

The State Bar of Michigan actively promotes the importance of diversity and inclusion in the profession. We applaud all who have signed the SBM Pledge to Achieve Diversity and Inclusion and will publicly acknowledge their action.

Former State Bar President Tony Jenkins in a Michigan Bar Journal President's Page quoted an ancient Chinese proverb that says "any journey of a million miles begins with the first step."

Now that we've started the journey, we urge you to join us in this endeavor and to check out who has already signed on by viewing the list of law firms, law schools, bar associations, individuals, and other entities.

Please join us in this very important effort by becoming a signatory to the pledge today!

Reports on Diversity & Inclusion

On Diversity and Inclusion, from Yale Law School
The Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee and Equal Access Initiative sponsored Brunch for Bars earlier this year to support collaboration between Bar Associations and to expand programming relating to diversity and access issues.
Updated Law School Information Demographic Trends in Diversity at Law Schools in Michigan, 2015
New Statistics on Diversity and Inclusion—from the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity Town Hall.

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Blogs & Podcasts

A Disturbing Trend in Law School Diversity analysis of downward trending enrollment of minorities in Law school
Religious Diversity Association of Legal Administrators podcasts
Diversity in the Profession Begins with Law School Huffington Post education blog

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Unintentional Bias

Exploring Unconscious Bias from Cook Ross Inc.
Helping Courts Address Implicit Bias Q&A, National Center for State Courts.
Implicit Bias in the Legal Profession: How Implicit Bias May Impact Your Career, 2016 ABA Presentation
Subtle Contextual Influences on Racial Bias in the Courtroom A discussion on how race, among other things, in the courtroom can lead to biased decisions
Psychologists Find that Unintentional Racial Biases May Affect Economic and Trust Decisions New York University article

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Generational Diversity

How to Leverage Generational Diversity, US News and World Report Slideshow
Winning the Generation Game , article from the Economist
Leveraging Generational Diversity in Today’s Workplace, Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development
Why Generational Diversity is Your Biggest Competitive Advantage, The Hiring Site by Career Builder

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Unintentional Bias

Exploring Unconscious Bias from Cook Ross Inc.
Subtle Contextual Influences on Racial Bias in the Courtroom. A discussion on how race, among other things, in the courtroom can lead to biased decision
Unintentional Racial Biases May Affect Economic & Trust Decisions. New York University article.

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Assessment Tools

Self Assessment, from the Minority Inclusion Project
Strengthening Diversity in Your Organization, Organizational Self Assessment tool designed to help all types of organizations.
Combating "Diversity Fatigue"—Informative article on diversity fatigue, a form of mental exhaustion brought on by constant attention to create or increase diversity in the workplace.

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Models & Best Practices

Top Ten Diversity Best Practices, Diversity Officer Magazine
Leveraging Differences to Drive Success: 5 Best Practices for Building a Diverse Workforce and an Inclusive Workplace, Oracle
Best Practices Guide National Association of Law Placement

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Articles & Links of Interest

White lawyers may have biases that hurt their black clients, says op-ed calling for more diversity ABA Journal
Percentage of black associates continues to fall in 'distressing' trend, NALP leader says ABA Journal
The Grit Project American Bar Association. The Grit Project educates women lawyers about the science behind grit and growth mindset—two important traits that many successful women lawyers have in common. By providing the tools to assess and learn these traits, the Grit Project enhances the effectiveness as well as the retention and promotion of women lawyers

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Organizations

International Multicultural Institute Website
Minority Corporate Counsel Association
Minority Legal Education Resources (MLER) supports and implements pipeline programs for grade school, college, and law school students from various socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds

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Experts & Consultants

Basic Diversity training and consulting firm
Kimberly Papillion on neuroscience and bias.
S.L. Robins & Associates Diversity & Inclusion—Dr. Robbins does not think of himself as a diversity expert but as a student of human behavior and his years of study of human behavior have led him to the conclusion that "diversity work" is really the work of "understanding human behavior in a diversity context."

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