Diversity has been the subject of discussion throughout the legal industry for many years, as law firms acknowledge its importance but sometimes struggle with the institutional changes that are required to effectively accommodate and take advantage of it. One thing most can agree on is that the legal talent pool must become more diverse so that law firms have more hiring options, and a focus on diversity by law schools can be tremendously helpful towards that goal.
As part of their effort to promote law school diversity, the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) developed DiscoverLaw.org, aimed at promoting diversity within law schools. Each year, DiscoverLaw.org names ten law schools to receive the Diversity Matters Award. The schools are honored for their commitment to attracting minority students to their programs, with outreach programs directed towards racially and ethnically diverse college students who may be considering law school.
Law schools are judged based on their own programs as well as participation in DiscoverLaw.org programs, and the winners are announced and honored at LSAC’s mid-year meeting meeting of law school leaders.
This year’s award recipients were, in order, DePaul University, Pacific McGeorge, Arizona State, Chapman, Emory University, Gonzaga, Loyola Chicago, Marquette, Wayne State, and William Mitchell.
“This is a great recognition of our outreach efforts,” said Pacific McGeorge Dean Francis J. Mootz III. “Of course, this award is possible because of an accumulation of efforts over the years by many people at McGeorge.”
“Recruiting a diverse student body continues to be an integral part of our admissions process at Gonzaga Law,” said Susan Lee, Director of Admissions for Gonzaga University. “We are committed to building a diverse class because we know this benefits our community.”
