The Council on Access and Fairness advises the Board of Governors on advancing State Bar diversity strategies and goals. The diversity pipeline includes the early education pipeline K to 12; college, law school and bar exam prep; recruitment, hiring, retention and promotion in the profession; and judicial diversity. The 25-member Council consists of both attorney and public members from diverse constituencies and practice settings. The Council seeks new members who will have experience that represents the full spectrum of the diversity pipeline. New members are expected to have a working knowledge of diversity pipeline issues and experience developing and implementing statregic initiatives to address the issues.

• Council Mission Statement
• Council Charge
• Expected 2010-2011 vacancies: 10 (lawyer and public member positions)
• Meetings per year: 4 in-person meetings plus additional conference calls as needed
• Chair: Rod Fong, San Francisco
• Staff Contact: Patricia Lee, 415-538-2240; programdevelopment@calbar.ca.gov

Increasing the Diversity of the Judicial Applicant Pool

Demographic data compiled in 2007 by the State Bar Diversity Task Force Court's Working Group (below) revealed that California's diverse population was not adequately represented in the state's judiciary.

A goal of The State Bar Council on Access & Fairness is to assist the Governor in encouraging the recruitment of more women attorneys, attorneys of color, gay and lesbian attorneys and attorneys with disabilities who meet all the qualifications and eligibility criteria to submit an application to the Bench.

• Judicial Appointment Tips (72KB) - checklist of practical suggestions to assist potential candidates in the completion of the Governor's online judicial application form.
• Diversity Pipeline Task Force Courts Working Group Report (333KB) - 2007 report and recommendations of a sub-committee for the Diversity Pipeline Task Force, based on the June 3, 2006 Judicial Summit and subsequent legislation.
• Senate Bill 56
• Assembly Bill 159

The materials provided on this page represent the views and positions of the State Bar's Council on Access & Fairness. These positions have not necessarily been adopted by the State Bar's Board of Governors or overall membership, and should not be construed as representing the position of The State Bar of California. Council activities are funded from voluntary sources.

Deadline for 2010 applications: February 1, 2010

2010 terms begin: Conclusion of 2010 State Bar Annual Meeting (September 26, 2010).