National Bar Association and Minority In-House Counsel Association Announce Strategic Partnership to Increase Diversity in Corporate In-House and Outside Counsel

The strategic partnership between the National Bar Association (NBA) and the Minority In-House Counsel Association (MIHCA) is focused on achieving greater diversity in the employment of corporate in-house counsel, as well as in business development opportunities for minority outside counsel.

Washington, DC, October 25, 2017 --(PR.com)-- The National Bar Association (NBA) and Minority In-House Counsel Association (MIHCA) announce a strategic partnership with a primary objective to increase diversity in corporations broadly, by expanding business development and in-house counsel opportunities for lawyers of color.

The two organizations will work collaboratively to raise awareness of the historic issues associated with access to opportunities for minority attorneys within corporate legal departments, while creating a conduit for NBA attorneys to obtain professional development and career advancement opportunities designed to increase private practice business development, as well as elevate the number of minorities as in-house counsels.

“Our partnership will not only enhance opportunities for NBA members, it will serve as a catalyst for highlighting the barriers faced by minorities who wish to have an equal seat at the corporate table. Whether in private practice desiring to further develop their business portfolio, or practitioners who wish to become in-house counsel, corporate America has an obligation to acknowledge the diversity challenge by embracing and advancing strategies to recruit and retain minority lawyers within their legal departments and in contracting outside legal counsel,” said NBA President & Board Chair, Juan R. Thomas.

MIHCA Board Chair, Whitnie H. Gladden, stated, “I am very excited about the partnership between the Minority In-House Counsel Association and the National Bar Association. Both organizations have a shared mission to increase the diversity of in-house legal departments and provide current in-house counsel with the knowledge, tools, skills, resources and networks they need to advance as 21st century leaders. This will be a very fruitful and mutually beneficial partnership.”

Robert Johnson, MIHCA’s Executive Director, added, “This strategic partnership aims to increase the opportunities to develop minority in-house and NBA lawyers as leaders within their respective organizations, and within their communities. Minority lawyers have historically been at the vanguard of change and social justice, and we are confident that this partnership will further that historical legacy, and ensure opportunities for future generations of minority lawyers.”

About The National Bar Association

The National Bar Association was founded in 1925 and is the nation's oldest and largest national network of predominantly African-American attorneys and judges. It represents the interests of approximately 60,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students. The NBA is organized around 23 substantive law sections, 9 divisions, 12 regions and 84 affiliate chapters throughout the United States and around the world. For more information, visit: www.nationalbar.org.

About The Minority In-House Counsel Association

The Minority In-House Counsel Association (MIHCA) is a non-profit organization focused on the professional development, education, networking and career advancement of minority in-house counsel. MIHCA is a unique association of attorneys dedicated to the professional development and career advancement of minorities who are or aspire to be in-house counsel; to provide the knowledge, tools, skills, resources and networks to build a professional brand and advance the next generation of leaders; and to increase overall diversity in the legal profession, particularly in corporate and government law departments.

NBA Media Contact: media@nationalbar.org
MIHCA Media Contact: info@mihca.org
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National Bar Association (NBA)
Cynthia Swann
240-893-2303
www.nationalbar.org
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