MEMORANDUM 00-7

February 9, 2000

In the 1960's the legal profession was the most effective profession in causing change during the civil rights movement. Lawyers and law school faculty from around the country came together in record numbers to promote racial justice. Today, the civil rights struggle continues in the form of economic discrimination and the multitude of attacks on successful diversity efforts. On July 20, 1999 a Presidential Call to Action was made to the legal profession to come together again. President Clinton, together with Attorney General Janet Reno and Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder appealed to lawyers to ensure that the legal community reflects the diversity of the society we serve and provides full service to communities of color. (See enclosed copy of speech.)

Lawyers For One America was formed to help lawyers, corporations, law firms, law schools, bar associations, civil rights associations, public interest organizations and government agencies answer the President's Call to Action. Over the past several months, LFOA has focused on helping all sectors of the legal profession take action and apply their skills and positions of influence to change the landscape for racial justice in America through increased pro bono services and diversity at all levels within the profession.

The formation of LFOA was timely for AALS. Its focus on diversity and pro bono work coincides with the initiatives of our past two Presidents: Deborah Rhode, whose presidential initiative resulted in the creation of our Pro Bono Project, and Gregory Williams, whose presidential initiative resulted in our Task Force on Diversity. The work of LFOA, therefore, assists us in our own continuing work in these areas.

I am writing to you now to ask you to consider joining in the LFOA effort by sharing your Declaration of Action --- a statement of what you are doing or what you have pledged to do to promote diversity in the legal profession and/or to expand access to legal resources for people of color. Your Declaration of Action will be used in the LFOA nationwide database of model practices and programs within the legal profession and may be included on their internet database. This database consists of contributions coming from the LFOA network of lawyers, law schools and organizations via conferences, events, publications, the web site, and other contacts. The goal is to share with the entire profession the model programs and practices that currently exist.

We all realize that law schools are at different points along the spectrum of promoting these goals. While all AALS member schools are committed to diversity among their faculty, staff and student body, some schools have initiated more formalized policies and programs. In addition, while many law schools have pro bono programs, some have specifically identified the needs of persons and/or organizations of color in their communities and have created projects and clinics to meet those needs. You can provide your Declaration of Action to LFOA on the form accompanying this letter, or you can visit their web site www.lawyersforoneamerica.com and send them your Declaration of Action online. They also receive email at LFOA Declaration@aol.com, fax at (415) 268-7522 and snail-mail at Lawyers For One America, 268 Bush Street, #3832, San Francisco, California 94104. The form of Declaration is provided to you solely as a template. Feel free to vary it to fit your specific needs. LFOA asks only that you limit your Declaration to ten pages and that you use both sides of the paper.

The information you furnish about your formal and informal endeavors, programs, commitments, pledges and leadership roles will also be useful in preparing the Lawyers For One America Report to be delivered to the President in July 2000. The Report will describe the current status, illuminate the highlights of LFOA's efforts and make recommendations for social and economic improvements and greater participation in the legal profession for people of color.

There will be a celebration, and acknowledgement of all Declarations of Action, on Lawyers For One America Day (to be announced later this year). Lawyers For One America Day will be a day for special events and press releases for corporations, law firms, law schools, bar associations, public interest organizations, civil rights associations, government agencies and the judiciary. It will also be a day to recognize the progress that has been made and the commitments to do more to make a difference for equal justice and diversity. Given the time commitment necessary to write the Report, it is essential that LFOA receive your Declaration as soon as possible, but no later than March 17, 2000.

If you have any questions about this effort, the contact person for LFOA at AALS is Cynthia Adcock, cadcock@aals.org.

Enclosure

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