Too often, white men are not included in conversations about diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. In order to advance diversity and inclusion, everyone should be included in the conversation, especially white men. Given their power and authority, white men are in the best position to effect change and influence others. According to a National Association for Law Placement (NALP) April bulletin, “Equity partners in multi-tier law firms continue to be disproportionately white men.” In 2013, only 16.5 percent of equity partners were women and only 5.4 percent were minorities. In Philadelphia, 20.7 percent of all partners were women and 3.94 percent were minorities.
Diversity and inclusion are sensitive subjects. Many people are afraid of saying the wrong thing or being misunderstood. Sometimes, people simply do not know what to say. “One of the barriers to honest discussion is fear of saying something inadvertently offensive or making a comment that is taken in a way that is not intended,” said Mark S. Stewart, chair of Ballard Spahr.
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