Nov. 24, 2020 - The University of Houston Law Center has signed onto a Pledge on Disability Diversity in the Legal Profession, an initiative brought forth by the American Bar Association's Commission on Disability Rights.
"As we think about diversity, equity and inclusion, we need to be broad in our scope to ensure all members of our society are able to live up to their full potential and have wide range of opportunities," said Dean Leonard M. Baynes. "I am heartened that the Law Center signed this pledge and commitment to disability diversity."
The pledge reads:
"As Legal Employers, Chief Legal Officers, Law Schools, State and Local Bar Associations, Judges, Court Administrators Hiring Partners, and Hiring Personnel in the Legal Profession, we hereby affirm our commitment to diversity in the legal profession, including diversity with respect to individuals with mental, physical, and sensory disabilities. Our pledge is based on the need to enhance opportunity in the legal profession and our recognition that the legal and business interests of our clients and the populations we serve require legal representation that reflects the diversity of our employees, customers and the communities where we operate. In furtherance of this commitment, this is intended to be a Pledge for Change for the profession generally and in particular for our law departments, firms, agencies, law schools, state and local bar associations, courthouses, and organizations. We further pledge that we will encourage other law departments, firms, agencies, law schools, state and local bar associations, court systems, and/or organizations that we do business with to make a similar diversity commitment."
