Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Iowa State Bar Association is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal field. We firmly believe that a diverse and inclusive profession is more robust, and our goal is to create an atmosphere where every legal professional can flourish. Our success is measured by the increased awareness and discourse around the significance of DEI efforts, which includes discussions on implicit bias and fostering inclusive environments. We take pride in welcoming individuals of all races, ethnicities, creeds, sexes, abilities, gender identities, sexual orientations, national origins, religions, ancestry, ages, and other identities, whether legally protected or not. We embody our mission to support Iowa's legal professionals and the communities they serve and advocate for justice for all.

Why DEI?

DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

For The Iowa State Bar Association, diversity represents the variety of identities, backgrounds, and perspectives that make up the entirety of not only the legal profession and our members, but the communities they serve. Equity allows us to ensure everyone has equal access and opportunity to succeed in our legal profession and in our justice system. All while fostering inclusion which allows any and all to find a welcoming home in the legal profession of Iowa.

By advocating for DEI efforts and programming, the Iowa State Bar Association can achieve its mission of fostering a more robust legal profession and providing adequate representation of the communities that have allowed ISBA to continue championing justice over the previous 150 years.

VIEW DEI RESOURCES

DEI News

• The Iowa State Bar Association's Board of Governors voted unanimously during their meeting on December 17th, 2024, to adopt the Mark S. Cady Law Opportunity Program (also known as The Cady Fellowship). A program that honors the late Chief Justice Mark S. Cady by granting underrepresented law students in Iowa clerkships and internships at Iowa legal employers and corporate counsel positions during their 1L summers. This program will officially launch in June 2025. For more information, please visit https://www.iowabar.org/?pg=TheCadyLawOpportunityProgram

• The Iowa State Bar Association's Inclusion Reference Guide has been published and is accessible to association members and the public. This guide seeks to foster a more inclusive profession by providing simple language that can be used to communicate better, respect, and recognize those of various identities, perspectives, and backgrounds. Follow the "DEI Resources" tab to find this resource.
   
• The Iowa State Bar Association's reinvigorated mentorship program welcomes newly appointed attorneys and law students interested in practicing in the state to participate. This program, a part of more significant ISBA initiatives to recruit and retain lawyers in the state, launched in February 2024. Find more information by visiting iowabar.org/mentorshipprogram.
   
• The Board approved the first ISBA Diversity Statement of Governors in December 2023, with one member of the board voting in dissent.

Reach out to our DEI Director

For information or questions concerning ISBA DEI initiatives, please get in touch with ISBA DEI Director Malycki Mañon-Sosa. 

Malycki Mañon-Sosa
(he/him/his)
mmanonsosa@iowabar.org
515-697-7865