Lawyers urged to promote diversity

The conference will debate whether or not the profession discriminates

Lawyers are being urged to tackle the under-representation of ethnic minorities in the legal profession.

The first black American Bar Association president, Dennis Archer, is to tell a Law Society conference in London: "We need more lawyers of colour.

"Those of us who are part of the system have failed to do our part to diversify the profession," he will tell lawyers.

The Minority Lawyers Conference will debate whether or not the profession is inherently discriminatory.

Mr Archer will say: "The future of our courts depends on increasing the diversity of those who serve in the justice system, whether as judges, lawyers or administrators.

"Several surveys over the past few years have shown perceptions of bias and unfairness in the justice system.

As lawyers we have a responsibility to do what we can to improve the justice system American Bar Association president Dennis Archer

"Even lawyers have spoken of bias they see in the system.

"A justice system must reflect the society it serves or risk losing the confidence of the public.

"As lawyers we have a responsibility to do what we can to improve the justice system.

Mr Archer will say that the legal community should be leading the rest of society on the issue of increased diversity in the workplace, greater economic opportunities, and access to justice for people of colour.

"Lawyers of colour" are needed "on our courts in all jurisdictions", he will say.

Too many young trainee solicitors or young solicitors from ethnic minorities choose to leave the profession or fail to rise through the ranks Law Society chief executive Janet Paraskeva

Law Society Council Equal Opportunities Committee chairman Caroline Herbert, who is also chairing the conference, said racism among "sections of the legal profession" meant "ethnic minority students continue to face a difficult task in obtaining training contracts and permanent positions at law firms".

Ethnic minorities had to struggle to break the profession's domination by an "old boys' network" that remained "as strong as it ever was", she added.

"Discrimination is abhorrent to all right thinking human beings.

"The last place in which it should be tolerated is the legal profession, where lawyers are charged to embody the principles of justice."

Law Society chief executive Janet Paraskeva said: "Too many young trainee solicitors or young solicitors from ethnic minorities choose to leave the profession or fail to rise through the ranks.

"It is time that more law firms and chambers actively accept that diversity in the workforce is a positive thing and is becoming more and more essential to business success."