"Equal Justice Under Law” is the inscription above the United States Supreme Court. While this is one of the foundational principles of our government, sadly, it is an ideal that is still not realized for underrepresented communities. I grew up in a family where diversity was a core value taught to me at a very young age. As the daughter of a gay father, I learned quickly the ugliness of bigotry and prejudice. The pain I endured as a child from closed-minded neighbors and friends stayed with me to adulthood.

Vanity, self- delusion, and wishful thinking aside, getting to be older is a gift. But, for those who remember when “Little” preceded Stevie Wonder’s name, age pops up with increasing frequency, sometimes impacting how we are regarded and treated. Having passed multiple chronological landmarks should serve to inform, but not to marginalize us.   

The frequency with which lawyers change firms continues to have a dramatic impact on the profession. The increasing mobility also means that more law firms are “downsizing,” dissolving, or splitting into smaller, separate firms, or unfortunately closing. While in the past attorneys’ entire careers often spanned only one or perhaps two firms, the converse is now the norm. Consequently, a lawyer who spends an entire career with one firm is viewed as an anomaly.  

We asked members of the Philadelphia Bar Association to share their perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession – the good, the bad and the ugly. The need for fair access to opportunities, embracing diversity, and challenging of biases are all reflected in the experiences shared by our members. With the need to break down barriers, we have a call to action to create a culture where everyone feels welcome, heard, and empowered. 

Submissions have been lightly edited for clarity and length.