ABA’s Groundbreaking Women of Color Study Enters Next Phase

When the American Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession conducted a first-of-its-kind study in 2006 about the factors that keep women of color from reaching the highest ranks in law firms, it found startling reasons including implicit and explicit bias, exclusion, inadequate support and disparity in compensation.  Now the study is being broadened to focus on corporate and government settings.

“Visible Invisibility” found that despite diversity efforts, Hispanic, African-American, Native American and Asian-American women lawyers nationwide lacked networking opportunities; access to high-profile, high-revenue client matters; and, they were subjected to demeaning comments, harassment and unfair performance evaluations.

Out of these grim findings came “Visibly Successful:  Success Strategies for Law Firms and Women of Color in Law Firms,” a tool to help law firms bolster their efforts to develop, promote and retain women lawyers of color.

To further support the research, the commission is hosting receptions honoring individuals who have supported the research initiative. The first will honor four women from the Washington, D.C. area.

WHO:
Carolyn Lamm, president-elect, ABA
U.S. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, (D-D.C.)
Sherry F. Bellamy,  vice president & deputy general counsel, litigation & regulatory, Verizon Business
Beverly Perry, senior vice president, government affairs and public policy, Pepco Holdings, Inc.

WHAT:
ABA Women of Color Research Initiative Fundraising Reception

WHERE:
White & Case LLP
701 Thirteenth St., NW

WHEN:
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
5:00—6:30 p.m.

To register for the event, click here.
Tickets are $50.00.

The Women of Color Research Initiative is a public service project of the American Bar Association.  It will receive funding through the ABA Fund for Justice and Education. The FJE qualifies as an exempt fund under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, and all contributions to the FJE are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

The ABA Commission on Women in the Profession was created by the association in 1987 to secure the full and equal participation of women in the ABA, the legal profession and the justice system.  The 12-member commission is composed of lawyers and judges from around the country, and includes representatives from private practice, the judiciary, academia and corporations.  The commission develops programs, policies and publications to advance and assist women lawyers, and educates the profession about work/family issues that affect all lawyers.

With more than 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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