Washington, D.C. - The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) applauds President ObamaÂ’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court of the United States.

“MCCA is heartened by President ObamaÂ’s selection of Judge Sotomayor to replace Justice David Souter on the high court,” said Veta T. Richardson, MCCAÂ’s Executive Director. “First and foremost, Sonia Sotomayor is an outstanding and highly qualified jurist whose personal journey is an inspiration to all Americans, particularly women and minorities whose talents and ability to contribute have historically been overlooked.”

Recently, Ms. Richardson was invited to a meeting at the White House by the Obama AdministrationÂ’s Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs.  Attendees included the leaders of a variety of legal associations reflecting a diverse cross section of constituencies and legal philosophies — from ultra-conservative to extremely liberal. They were invited to offer their thoughts regarding the qualities and characteristics they believed the next Supreme Court nominee should possess and to ask questions about the nomination process.

Upon hearing of Judge Sotomayor’s nomination, Ms. Richardson said, “Looking back on that meeting, I feel that Judge Sotomayor is the perfect choice because she embodies the qualities and characteristics that the most ultra-conservative and the most liberal felt were essential. And in my personal opinion, she is a choice that exceeds expectations. I further believe that Judge Sotomayor’s nomination sends an important message to all young people from humble beginnings that if you are smart, focus on your education and work hard, you can achieve the highest levels of leadership in your chosen profession and that this American dream is achievable for hard-working minorities and women, too.”

“However, the selection of Judge Sotomayor has recently been the topic of nasty, mean-spirited allegations of ‘identity politicsÂ’ by some legal pundits and radio commentators. I was surprised to learn the ugly meaning of this new term, ‘identity politics,Â’ which is basically being used to negate Judge SotomayorÂ’s record of achievement and attack her on the basis of her race and gender,” Richardson added. “ItÂ’s objectionable and MCCA calls for it to end, so that we can all focus on what matters, which is to review her lifetime of achievements.”  

About MCCA

The Minority Corporate Counsel Association advocates for the expanded hiring, retention, and promotion of minority attorneys in corporate legal departments and the law firms that serve them.  Since its founding in 1997, MCCA has emerged as the legal professionÂ’s knowledge leader on diversity issues and its expanded platform offers solutions to diversity management challenges involving women, physically challenged, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lawyers, in addition to attorneys of color (which remains its primary focus).

MCCA advances its mission by publishing innovative research, illuminating diversity best practices, honoring diversity leadership with its prestigious Employer of Choice and Thomas L. Sager awards, and assisting diverse law students through the Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship Program.  MCCAÂ’s award-winning programs and services have been cited by several leading organizations, including the National Minority Business Council, Inc., the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National LGBT Bar Association, and the Association of Corporate Counsel.

MCCA is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and also has a southeast regional office in Atlanta, Ga.  For more information, go to mcca.com

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Contact: Diane Nowak-Waring or

Court Blatchford

mediarelations@mcca.com