The Minnesota Bar Association’s Diversity Committee

The Diversity Committee is dedicated to assisting the Bar in retaining and advancing culturally diverse attorneys in the legal profession.

To that end, the committee’s work engenders programs with the purpose of increasing diversity at all levels and in all areas of the legal profession, and increasing the Bar’s awareness of the need to take measures which actively promote diversity in the profession. In working towards these goals, the Committee utilizes MSBA resources and partners with Minnesota law schools, legal employers, and other bar associations with a similar mission.

How does the Diversity Committee define Diversity?

The diversity committee defines the term “minority” broadly to include disability, gender, ethnicity, national origin, race, religion, and sexual orientation.

Diversity Committee Programs

The Diversity Committee works to reach its stated goals through:

  1. The presentation of two Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs per year offered to the legal community at large, which can be found on this sites Calendar of Events;
  2. Management of the Minnesota Minority Clerkship Program (MMCP) for 1L law students;
  3. Maintenance and upkeep of the MNLegalDiversity.org, which offers information and events relevant to incoming minority law students, current minority law students, minority attorneys and non-minority attorneys alike interested in the goals of the Committee;
  4. Implementation of private initiatives such as mentoring programs for minority students; and
  5. Participation in other private initiatives on an as-needed basis based on the current legal climate and needs.

Membership & Meeting Times

The Diversity Committee is comprised of practicing and non-practicing attorneys throughout the State of Minnesota who are fee paying members of the Minnesota Bar Association (MSBA). Diversity Committee membership also includes current law students (in which fee paying membership in the MSBA is not necessary).

The Diversity Committee meets every first Friday of the month from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Diversity Committee please contact Tram Nguyen, MSBA liaison to the Diversity Committee at tnguyen@statebar.gen.mn.us or at 612-278-6316, or go to the Get Involved section of this website. The Committee would love to have you!