Missouri lawyers encouraged to take racial, ethnic survey

Missouri lawyers are encouraged to participate in a survey to help provide data related to racial and ethnic trends in the legal profession. The results will guide recommendations to the Supreme Court of Missouri regarding how to ensure diversity, fairness, and equal access in the judicial process and practice of law. 

On Monday, Dec. 6, lawyers will receive an email invitation from Supreme Court of Missouri Chief Justice Paul Wilson containing a link to participate in the electronic survey. The survey is voluntary and anonymous, and it would take about 10 minutes to complete. Lawyers can complete the survey through early January 2022.

The survey comes from the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness, created by the Supreme Court of Missouri in October 2015. The commission is tasked with examining current practices and recommending measures to the Court to ensure fairness, impartiality, and equal access for racial and ethnic minorities in the legal profession.  

As part of its tasks, the commission wants to analyze any implicit or other bias within the legal profession – including reviewing and recommending best practices in hiring, retaining, and elevating racially and ethnically diverse lawyers. 

This survey will help establish a baseline for monitoring the state’s progress in “eliminating bias and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession,” said commission tri-chairs William Bay, Hon. Lisa White Hardwick, Mikah Thompson, and Michael Middleton. 

Email the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness at CREF@courts.mo.gov with any questions about the survey.