Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association President Michael Brittain Invites You to Join the CMBA Diversity Circle

The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association has greatly expanded its diversity initiatives. One major successful initiative is the Minority Clerkship Program, involving more firms and legal departments than ever before and placing three times as many law school students into summer positions. Other great new initiatives include the Minority Judicial Externship Program, the High School Internship Program, the award-winning 3Rs program (addressing pipeline issues), the Summer Legal Academy, the Minority Summer Associate Luncheon and the programs and activities of the new Minority Attorney Roundtable. To support this important expansion, the CMBA has substantially expanded its administrative support in this area, including creating the position of Diversity Coordinator in the Spring of 2005.

The CMBA is pleased to announce that its diversity programs have been selected for the 2007 ABA Partnership Award, recognizing efforts by bar associations to increase the participation and advancement of lawyers of color in the organized bar and to attract students of color to the legal profession. This annual awards program is open to all bar associations that can show how their efforts nurture or increase diversity in the legal community; only four awards were given this year.  This is a testament to the expansion and success of our Minority Clerkship Program, the Judicial Externship Program and the High School Internship Program.

The CMBA Diversity Action Committee (DAC) coordinates the CMBA’s diversity initiatives and is actively committed to increasing the pipeline of minority students entering the legal profession in Northeast Ohio. The DAC recently extended a diversity “Call to Action” to regional general counsels and is developing programs to serve local undergraduate populations.

We also hosted two very successful CLE programs this past year: the Diversity Networking Conference on March 4^th and the Improve Your Bottom Line: How to Attract, Retain and Promote Women and Minority Attorneys on May 9^th. We plan on producing one day-long diversity seminar each spring.

In order to maintain these initiatives, the CMBA has created a new membership category called the CMBA Diversity Circle. You can become a Diversity Circle member for an additional $100.00 over your regular CMBA dues. Diversity Circle dues will primarily be used to sustain these important diversity programs as well as other outreach to law students and undergraduates. Attorneys who have practiced for five years or less and affiliate members can join the Diversity Circle for only $75.00. Click HERE to view a current list of Diversity Circle members.

Members of the Diversity Circle will be recognized in the Legal Directory, in the June edition of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal, on the CMBA website, and on signage exhibited at all major CMBA events. As a Diversity Circle member, you will also receive a custom-designed coaster to display in your office as an emblem of your support.

The diversity of our legal community is an area in critical need of greater commitment and action. To this end, please join the Diversity Circle and help support these important diversity initiatives and other outreach. Together, we can make our legal community reflective of the great diversity of Greater Cleveland.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW AND BE A

DIVERSITY CIRCLE MEMBER THROUGH JUNE OF 2009.