August DEI – What is DEI? DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION!
August 2024
by Terri R. Walters, CCP, ACP
NALA advocates for and encourages diversity, equity, and inclusion within the paralegal profession. We recognize that, to continually “ensure paralegals are known and valued as an integral part of the legal ecosystem,” we must build on and derive strength from diversity, equity, inclusion, and those initiatives that promote it. NALA encourages and fosters a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment within the association, its affiliated associations, and the law firms, corporations, legal service providers, and paralegal community our members and peers support. NALA strives to partner with affiliated associations and other professional legal organizations to advance and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. NALA welcomes members from all backgrounds and encourages connections within our diverse membership.
– Taken from the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion section on NALA’s About page
D is for Diversity
Variety, multiplicity, assortment, distinctiveness, and heterogeneity are all synonyms of diversity, which is the condition of having or being composed of differing elements or qualities.1
E is for Equity
Objectivity, justice, tolerance, impartiality, and fairness are all synonyms of equity. Equity is defined as justice according to natural law or right or a body of legal doctrines and rules developed to enlarge, supplement, or override a narrow rigid system of law.2
I is for Inclusion
Some synonyms of include are involve, embrace, incorporate, integrate, and embody. Inclusion refers to a variety of integration approaches to include and accommodate people who have been historically excluded because of their race, gender, sexuality, or physical/mental ability.3
DEI Jobs
Many law firms have specific web pages designed for their DEI mission statements. There is a growing need to implement DEI practices in law firms and businesses throughout our nation. Firms today hire DEI analysts to advance their DEI efforts and ensure that they and their clients achieve strategic DEI goals.
I found a law firm advertising for an ambassador and advocate for inclusive and equitable initiatives to act as a strategic partner to their leaders, DEI work groups, and key stakeholders/investors. Some of the job duties included developing and aligning DEI initiatives with business strategies, focusing on the overall workforce, marketplace, and community; researching benchmarks; and developing and delivering innovative, inclusive programs that align with business objectives, including defining metrics for measuring the effectiveness of initiatives implemented and reporting progress to stakeholders.
A job post on LinkedIn was looking for a DEI rep to build relationships and execute programming with internal teams and external organizations focused on empowering underrepresented groups. The DEI rep was expected to use influence to drive engagement and accountability for the organization’s culture and maintain knowledge of accessibility and diversity-related issues, legislation, and best practices.
DEI in the Workplace
The ABA Model Diversity Survey (MDS) developed in 2016 provides clients with a straightforward way to review and assess the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of legal service providers to make decisions regarding hiring and retention. The ABA House of Delegates passed Resolution 113, which urges all providers of legal services, particularly law firms, to expand and create opportunities at all levels of responsibility for diverse attorneys. The MDS Report had many findings, including identifying largely missing demographics from traditional white male law firms or underreported demographics in firm hiring, promotions, and compensation (i.e. LGBTQ+, disabled, religious, people of color).4
DEI is not a handout. It is the practice of eliminating bias and enhancing diversity in the workplace by granting everyone access to the same economic opportunities.
References
1 Diversity Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster
2 Equity Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster
3 Inclusion Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster
4 2020 ABA Model Diversity Survey
Terri R. Walters, CCP, ACP, has been a paralegal for 25 years. She is a California Certified Paralegal and has a NALA Advanced Certified Paralegal credential in Trial Practice. She is NALA’s DEI Committee Chair. She previously served on the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles Paralegal Association in various capacities, including as Advisor in 2021. She is also a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court in Los Angeles and works for Musick Peeler & Garrett LLP in downtown LA.
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