In Support of Diversity of Judicial Law Clerks Working for State Court Judges
Resolution 6: In Support of Diversity of Judicial Law Clerks Working for State Court Judges
WHEREAS, the public looks to the courts above other governmental institutions for fairness and neutrality and must have confidence in the courts and the judicial process; and
WHEREAS, significant segments of society continue to believe that minorities are treated unfairly by the courts and that racial and ethnic prejudice impedes fair and equal access to the courts; and
WHEREAS, the courts have an important responsibility to take a leadership role in eliminating racial and ethnic bias in the courts and should better mirror the racial and ethnic make-up of the communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, educational and mentoring programs that support students of color and other underrepresented groups increase the diversity of law clerks within the judiciary and the legal profession; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of such programs is to foster racial and ethnic diversity among law clerks serving in the federal and state judiciary.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices:
- Endorses the principles and strategies established by two notable programs: the ABA Judicial Clerkship Program and the Just the Beginning Foundation's Judicial Externship/ Clerkship Program; and
- Strongly encourages each chief justice and chief judge to make a personal commitment to promote and recommend to the judges in their jurisdiction that they participate in these programs and consider minority applicants that may be referred for either internship or clerkship opportunities.
Adopted as proposed by the CCJ Access to and Fairness in the Courts Committee at the Midyear Meeting on January 28, 2009.