We’re proud to share that the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County has recently received the DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) Leadership Silver Seal from the State Bar of California as a result of three years of hard work by the organization’s Race Equity Initiative Committee. The State Bar of California launched the DEI Leadership Seal Program in 2023 to “recognize legal employers with California attorneys that commit to and implement research-driven actions that further workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion.” The State Bar and Legal Aid SMC believe that increased diversity in the legal profession improves access to justice through the legal system for all.
Led by Camille Nguyen, Senior Staff Attorney-Health Consumer Center, the Legal Aid SMC Race Equity Initiative Committee has taken several steps to improve the sense of belonging in our work community since its inception in 2020. These include launching an annual staff survey, creating bi-monthly meetings to discuss DEI-related topics that affect our staff and clients, reworking our annual review process to create clear pathways to professional growth, and much more! With the input of Legal Aid SMC staff, the REI Committee continues to make changes that create a welcoming culture for all and improve accessibility to our services for diverse populations.