ABA survey lets companies compare law firms on diversity hiring, promotions, attrition

An updated survey and improved online portal from the American Bar Association allows corporations to compare law firms they work with on key metrics of diversity, equity and inclusion.

The ABA Model Diversity Survey, compiled by the ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession, was released May 16. Based on a survey of 287 law firms with a total of more than 100,000 attorneys, the report measures law firms’ demographics, hiring, promotions, leadership, highest compensated partners, attrition and diversity initiatives.

An easy-to-read online dashboard shows statistics for each law firm and how they compare to each other. The information on individual firms is available only to companies that sign an ABA pledge to support the survey and diversity in the legal profession. The goal is to offer companies the information they need to evaluate law firms that they hire and work with.

To date, more than 180 U.S. companies have signed the Model Diversity Survey pledge, including 7-Eleven, American Express, Bank of America, Cigna, Costco, Dow Chemical, Facebook, General Motors, Hyatt, McDonald’s, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Raytheon, Starbucks, The New York Times, United Airlines, Visa, and Zoom.

Companies that sign the pledge can search an online portal to see which law firms have completed the survey and can see reports on each firm for:

  • Demographics
  • Hiring by firm role
  • Promotions
  • Attrition by firm role
  • Trend reports for each firm
  • Comparisons among law firms

The survey supports one of the four goals of the ABA: eliminating bias and enhancing diversity in the legal profession and the justice system. Lawyers of color are underrepresented in the justice system. Just 5% of U.S. lawyers are Hispanic, 5% Black, 2% Asian and 2% multiracial, according to the 2021 ABA National Lawyer Population Survey.

Read the new Model Diversity Survey report at www.americanbar.org/groups/diversity/DiversityCommission/model-diversity-survey.