As dean of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, I write to affirm, now more than ever, our commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in legal education and in the legal profession. As we review the most recent Supreme Court jurisprudence on affirmative action, we will seek to understand the limitations imposed on us and the full breadth of options that remain constitutional. As lawyers, we believe it is essential to act within the bounds of the law, to advance justice and equity for all people, and to advocate for changes in law and policy, where appropriate, using all of the lawful tools available to us.
We view diversity in the legal profession as an imperative. Lawyers from diverse backgrounds bring unique perspectives and cultural insights that enrich the legal system, encourage innovation, and better serve clients from all walks of life. Diversity in the legal profession encourages public confidence in our nation’s system of justice—when people see lawyers who represent a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, they are more likely to trust in the equity and accessibility of the legal system.
Presently, the legal profession falls far behind other professions in reflecting the diversity of the general population. We believe it is our responsibility to ensure we are educating the next generation of lawyers with an eye toward closing that gap. Indeed, providing access to historically underrepresented communities is a widely-held view within the legal profession. For example, the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) encourages law schools to create a learning environment that “incorporates the various perspectives necessary to understanding the law and its impact on society.”
This racial disparity is a result of many factors, including the historical, systematic denial of access to the legal profession for people of color. Our own law school was at the center of the early stages of the Brown v. Board of Education desegregation cases, when Thurgood Marshall—who had been denied access to the University of Maryland School of Law—helped Donald Gaines Murray overcome his own rejection from the law school on the basis of race.
As we continue to review and evaluate the Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision, we invite you to join us in working to ensure that the legal profession remains open and accessible to people of diverse backgrounds.
Renée McDonald Hutchins
Dean, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law