Big Law Must Reach Out, Work With Local Groups to Support Social Justice

Since summer 2020 lawyers and law firms have been reaffirming their commitment to diversity, justice, inclusion and social justice together with many companies and institutions. Our profession is a special one that requires us not only to generate profits, but also to represent our clients fairly and to promote the rule of law and civil society fairly. Not all of us work directly in the service of social justice; Therefore, it is imperative that we find a way to do and support the work in our companies and areas that is necessary to build a fairer society. At the same time, we, advocates of all practices and backgrounds, should all strive to put the same energy that has grown from the events of last summer at the service of the communities in which we live and work.

That commitment is clear. How can we best respond? Many law firms have done a lot: taking pro bono cases, donating to large charities, and sponsoring events for established organizations that have worked in their communities for generations. We cannot deny the contributions of many of these groups. The NAACP Legal Defense Fund, a frequent beneficiary of great legal philanthropy, has an undeniable experience advocating many causes of racial justice as well as assisting black lawyers. In addition, it recently announced that it will spend millions of dollars financially supporting black law students throughout their studies – another much-needed step toward a more just society. There are numerous institutions that do related work. Many in the private legal industry may feel that there is so much more to do. Perhaps the methods we have used to try to correct the many mistakes in our society, many elements of which have been built and supported on interconnected systems of racism and oppression, through advocacy support and inviting marginalized colleagues, may not be that best efficient methods to heal stubborn social justice and racial diseases today.

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