Mass. Bar Association disappointed with Supreme Court decision on race-based admissions

Friday, June 30, 2023MBA President Grace V.B. Garcia

Massachusetts Bar Association President Grace V.B. Garcia issued the following statement highlighting the concern and disappointment with Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that eliminates race-based admissions preferences in higher education:

“The Massachusetts Bar Association was dismayed to learn of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision forbidding colleges and universities from affirmatively admitting diverse student bodies. The decision removes a long-standing tool for building diverse and more inclusive and equitable matriculations, which is a pathway to a diverse workforce and a diverse legal community. The under-representation of attorneys of color in the profession is a disservice to our justice system and the profession as a whole. As a result, bar-related efforts to reach out to students in underrepresented communities to bring them into the legal profession, such as the MBA's Tiered Community Mentoring Program and the Supreme Judicial Court’s Judicial Youth Corps program, are critical. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision is incredibly concerning, as it takes away an avenue that encourages diversity, equity and inclusion.

"The MBA was founded on principles of inclusion and today strives to be the professional home to legal practitioners of all backgrounds, in keeping with our role as the statewide bar association. We remain committed to expanding career pathways for aspiring lawyers of color and also to increasing diversity and representation in our own leadership ranks. At the same time, we look forward to working with others in the community to find additional solutions to fill the void caused by the Court’s decision.”