The following is excerpted from the most recent edition of the Diversity Committee Newsletter. To read the entire newsletter and access the newsletter archives, click here. To learn more about the NJSBA's diversity efforts, click here.
By Roger Lai
I am honored to have been appointed as co-chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Diversity Committee. I consider myself lucky to serve with Norberto Garcia and Cedric Ashley, two co-chairs who are dedicated and passionate about diversity and inclusion in our organization, our profession, and the legal system.
In my short time with the Diversity Committee I have been surprised how much I’ve learned, both about others and about myself. By being involved, I have gotten out of my silo and communicated with attorneys of different backgrounds and experiences. While it is easy to be aware that diverse people have different experiences and problems, until I sat down and shared candid conversation about diversity and inclusion I didn’t truly appreciate the reasons why we have a long way to go.
I’ve learned from several experiences this year.
Over the summer, the state bar president, John Keefe, held a meeting between the NJSBA and leaders of various specialty bar associations around the state. He followed up with regional dinners throughout the state. These provided the opportunity to share ideas.
The NJSBA also recently started a monthly Diversity Dialogue. This monthly conference call includes leaders from the NJSBA and various specialty/affinity bar associations. Leaders from the NJSBA Women in the Profession Section, Minorities in the Profession Section, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Rights Section, and the Diversity Committee have also joined in. Again, this provides a regular opportunity to share ideas and find collaborative opportunities.
At our recent Diverse Judges Reception, the Diversity Committee recognized three exceptional jurists: Julio Fuentes, P.J.A.D.; Lisa Thornton, A.J.S.C.; and Haekyoung Suh, J.S.C. All of them had fascinating stories that con rm they have all been successful because of their different backgrounds. I had the privilege of introducing Judge Suh. Like Judge Suh, my legal experience was primarily in commercial litigation. As I sat down to write my introduction, I realized that despite having handled hundreds of cases all over New Jersey, I could recall exactly one case in which one of the attorneys was an Asian American woman. I can only surmise that Judge Suh did not see too many other Asian American female attorneys when she was in private practice. I expect that there were challenges that I can only imagine.