WCL, St. Louis University School of Law Partner to Support Law School DEI Professionals
Almost 30 years ago, Washington College of Law created its Office of Diversity Services to work across our community to support the success of historically marginalized groups. In 2019, Lisa Sonia Taylor was appointed as WCL’s first Assistant Dean of Diversity, Inclusion and Affinity relations.
Now, at a time when law schools and others across the country renew their dedication to racial justice and diversity, equity and inclusion within their institutions, Dean Taylor is helping lead the charge to better support the DEI professionals tasked with upholding those commitments.
Together with her colleague Belinda Dantley, assistant dean of diversity, equity and inclusion at St. Louis University School of Law, Dean Taylor surveyed 82 law school DEI professionals in early 2021 about their work, training and perceptions of their role within their institution. Their new report, “The Bottom Line: Law schools need to get serious about the work of diversity, equity and inclusion,” summarizes the survey findings and makes recommendations for law schools to embrace and advance DEI efforts.
“Promoting diversity and inclusion is vital to legal education, and we must make sure there are diverse voices in our classrooms so that our students are able to go on and provide competent and culturally sensitive representation to the people they will serve, lead and advocate for throughout their legal careers,” Dean Taylor said. “Law schools have made a commitment to improve and embrace DEI initiatives, and this survey of the professionals who lead this work shows that they can do more to support DEI professionals and enact sustainable change.”
The report found that DEI professionals within law schools are dedicated, talented and making an impact, but that they generally benefit from additional resources and strategic, institution-wide planning to be more successful. Among some of the other findings:
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Sixty-nine percent of survey respondents said they believed their position was the first of its kind at their law school, and 73% have been in their position less than three years.
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Sixty-seven percent of respondents indicated that their duties and responsibilities expanded due to the impact of the global pandemic and in the aftermath of the 2020 protests for racial justice.
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Greater resources, staff support and institutional buy-in were the top three things cited by DEI professionals as needed to be effective in their work.
"One of the critical elements of WCL's strategic vision is advancing diversity, community, civility, and respect," said Dean Fairfax. "Dean Taylor has been an indispensable part of these efforts, and I congratulate and thank her and her co-author for this important report and set of recommendations."
WCL and SLU Law will partner with AMDiP and LSAC’s RISE Alliance to host “Fly Further, Fly Together: Advancing Equity by Positioning DEI Professionals for Success” on March 4. During this free virtual event, legal education leaders will discuss the survey and their plans to further support the work of DEI professionals within their institutions.