New and events of the Philadelphia Bar Asso.
Issue link: https://thephiladelphialawyer.epubxp.com/i/434516
the philadelphia lawyer Winter 2015 31 further the Bar association's diversity efforts initiated by former Chancellor a. michael pratt? Quite frankly, we have not done a good job at all. Philadelphia habitually ranks near the bottom of major cities in its diversity efforts. We tend to do a good job at recruiting diverse students – at least in the large firms – but we do not do a very good job at retaining them. Every firm is willing to hire the editor- in-chief of the law review, magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School. But not every person of color is Barack Obama. However, we have come a long way – a person of color with those exact credentials could not get hired in hardly any major Philadelphia law firm 65 years ago. We have to come up with better ways to retain attorneys of color, especially women. The PDLG law firms have had a tremendous record in recruiting talent of color, but they, like everyone else have struggled to keep talented attorneys of color. At the end of the day, to me, it comes down to a very simple question. Are the majority firms and businesses willing to mentor and train diverse attorneys so that they can entrust major matters to them? No, I do not think firms should abandon diversity committees. Someone needs to be the beacon for the right thing to do. Years ago, this concept was built into the DNA of many firms. I am not sure it is there anymore. Yes, I believe the Bar Association's Office of Diversity started by Mike Pratt, is still very important. That office is an important resource to all firms that are trying to do better with diversity and inclusion. I believe that one of the missions of the Bar Association and its Office of Diversity is to assist lawyers and firms in doing things that they cannot do for themselves. What role does the Bar association play in the practice of today's lawyer? As I said, I believe one of the missions of a Bar Association is to do for the bench and the bar what they may be unable to do for themselves. I believe the overriding mission is to make lawyers proud that they are lawyers. What tradition do you think should be restored to today's legal practice? A tradition of service to our community. Firms that encourage their attorneys to participate in the Bar Association support the entire city, not just the legal community. What is on your agenda for the upcoming year? I have outlined some of them above: • Service to our community • Enhancing the opportunities of attorneys who are women of color • Service to our veterans. How will you know that your term as Chancellor has been a success? What do you hope is your legacy? That when people walk up to me and tell me "thank you," then I will know that I made a difference. Bernard W. Smalley Sr. (bsmalley@ tlgattorneys.com) is senior counsel to the Tucker Law Group, LLC. Young U.S. Marine Albert S. Dandridge III with his grandfather, affectionately known as "Pop."