The Call to Action

On February 1, 2008, the Nebraska State Bar Association and the Nebraska Minority Justice Committee coordinated a Call to Action Initiative, creating a network of firms and corporations that have agreed to work collaboratively and innovatively to promote diversity in the legal profession.

Minority representation in the legal profession is significantly lower than in most other professions. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, total minority representation among lawyers is about 9.7 percent, compared to 20.8 percent among accountants and auditors, 24.6 percent among physicians and surgeons, and 18.2 percent among college and university teachers. Modeled after successful initiatives in other cities, the Call to Action Initiative encourages law firms and corporations to sign on to a basic statement of diversity principles and agree to participate in programs initiated by the Nebraska State Bar Association in pursuit of these principles.

Call to Action Statement of Diversity

Call to Action Signatories

Initiatives of the Call to Action

The goal of the Call to Action Initiative is to both expand the pipeline of diverse law school applicants and take steps to ensure we can retain the attorneys of color currently practicing in Nebraska. We know that every firm and corporation is unique. The NSBA and Minority Justice Committee will provide the Call to Action network with several different options for how they can help promote a diverse profession. Click here to learn more about:

• LSAT Prep Scholarship Program
• Job Shadowing Program
• Nebraska Minority Corporate Counsel Program
• Annual Legal Diversity Summit

“While I do not purport to fully understand the reasons for this disparity or why the legal profession is less diverse than other professions, it is apparent to me that this disparity will continue if we do not take some action to effect change. I know that the Nebraska State Bar Association is committed to initiating new programs and activities to foster diversity and that, with the support of Nebraska lawyers, we will be able to effect real change in the diversity of our profession.”
--Wayne Mark, 2008 Nebraska State Bar Association President