Minority Lawyers Advance Rights Of Disabled

WASHINGTON - The Minority Corporate Counsel Association, Inc. has adopted the American Bar AssociationÂ’s pledge to promote the inclusion of disabled persons in the legal profession.

By becoming a signatory of “Disability Diversity in the Legal Profession: A Pledge for Change,” the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) commits itself to creating opportunities for the employment and advancement of legal professionals affected by “mental, physical, and sensory disabilities.” MCCA will do this within its own staff and will encourage its member organizations to do the same.

“The Pledge for Change complements MCCA’s mission to advance diversity,” said Executive Director Veta T. Richardson. “People with disabilities make valuable contributions to our society every day, and it’s important to make sure they have a seat at the table to contribute as members of the legal profession.”

The pledge was created by the American Bar Association’s Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law in response to the lack of lawyers with disabilities in the profession. Dozens of major legal employers – including law firms, corporate legal departments and law associations – have demonstrated their support by signing on. MCCA’s adoption was championed by its Board of Directors’ Advocacy Committee, chaired by Hinton J. Lucas, Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Chief Administrative Counsel for the DuPont Company.

“Enlisting support of this pledge by my colleagues on the MCCA Board of Directors was largely a ‘no brainer’ for MCCA,” said Hinton. “First and foremost, it is consistent with our mission to advance diversity. Also, the pledge reflects our belief that the legal profession must be diverse in order to best serve the needs of our clients. So attorneys with disabilities must be included.”

The Minority Corporate Counsel Association advocates for the expanded hiring, promotion, and retention of minority attorneys in corporate legal departments and the law firms that serve them. MCCA furthers its mission by publishing research on achieving diversity and best practices in the legal profession, honoring innovative diversity programs with its Employer of Choice and Thomas L. Sager awards, and assisting diverse law students through the Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship Program. MCCAÂ’s work has been recognized with awards from the National Minority Business Council, Inc., the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Gay and Lesbian Law Association, and the Association of Corporate Counsel.

Founded in 1997, MCCA is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and also has a Southeast regional office in Atlanta, Ga.