A report released by the American Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Women in the Profession, in collaboration with the National Native American Bar Association (NNABA), sheds light on the experiences and challenges faced by female Native American lawyers. The study, titled “Excluded & Alone: Examining the Experiences of Native American Women in the Law and a Path Towards Equity” compiles personal anecdotes showing numerous barriers, such as financial obstacles, bias, and limited mentoring opportunities, within the legal profession.
The findings report a decrease of females identifying as Native American or Alaska Native from 0.09% in 2006 to 0.08% in 2022, as per the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) 2022 Report on Diversity. Yet, voices of these legal professionals are just starting to be heard. With prevalence at law firms slightly higher, Native American or Alaska Native women made up 0.06% of partners and 0.10% of associates in 2022.
Amid accounts of isolation and cultural disrespect, the study provides recommendations for legal professionals in pushing for a more inclusive community – including proper representation in research studies, facilitating pre-law programs, faculty training, and establishment of cross-generational mentoring circles.
Ultimately, the ABA and NNABA hope their ground-breaking study will be a catalyst for change within the profession and a step towards creating a more inclusive legal community. A more in-depth review of the study can be found on the Law.com.