Why is the State Bar conducting an Attorney Census?
The State Bar’s statutory mission to protect the public “includes support for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system” (see California Business and Professions Code, section 6001.1). To fulfill this mandate, the State Bar’s Board of Trustees amended the Strategic Plan to take a systemic and institutional approach to increasing diversity and inclusion in the profession. A major component of this work is collecting, analyzing, and presenting comprehensive, current, and accurate data on California’s licensed attorneys through an annual Attorney Census. The census captures key demographic information as well as information on employment, workplace environment, and issues key to recruitment, advancement, and retention.
The Attorney Census also assists the State Bar in complying with California Rule of Court rule 9.9 and California Business and Professions Code sections 6002.1 and 6009.5.