Law professionals in Brazil have taken significant steps to promote the representation of minorities, such as equating LGBTphobia with the crime of racism.
Diversity is increasingly being promoted within the legal industry, not only for social justice but also to gain competitive benefits. For more information on this topic, keep reading the article.
Inclusion’s advancement in the legal world.
In the 1970s, it was common to find legal departments that were exclusively made up of white men, showing the changes in the field of law over the years in terms of diversity and inclusion.
In some aspects, the information provided differs from the current situation in the industry. For instance, according to a study published by the specialized website Jota in January 2020, women make up over 50% of lawyers under the age of 40 registered with the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB).
The inclusion of marginalized populations in various professional fields has been increasing over time, including in the field of law where significant efforts are being made to promote diversity and inclusion.
Black individuals represent just 1% of lawyers in major law firms, indicating that there is still a considerable distance to cover in terms of representation.
In 2019, there was a notable trend where the topic of diversity and inclusion gained attention in the market. Unilever, a major multinational company in Brazil, introduced a new initiative called Manifesto for Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Market, following its launch in Europe a few months prior. This highlights a global interest in the subject.
Large organizations aim to encourage their internal teams and business partners, including law firms, to actively pursue board inclusion, with over 20 companies already committed to this goal.
Why is societal inclusion significant?
Individuals from various ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, and disabilities have not achieved equal representation in the workforce, as they elaborate.
Challenges that need to be addressed remain significant, both in terms of quantity and quality. In Brazil, white men earn 27% more than women of the same ethnicity and up to 74% more than black men. Studies have also shown that black women receive less than half of their earnings.
More than 40% of respondents in a LinkedIn survey reported experiencing hidden or explicit discrimination in the workplace based on their sexual orientation, with only half openly discussing their orientation at work.
61% of LGBT+ individuals in Brazil choose not to discuss their sexual orientation at work, according to a more recent study by the Center for Talent Innovation.
Equal access is crucial to ensure that all individuals can reside in a fair society.
Advantages of including minorities in a competitive setting
Promoting inclusion goes beyond social justice, as demonstrated by a study from McKinsey & Company showcasing the advantages of diversity in businesses.
Organizations that have gender diversity in their workforce are 21% more likely to achieve above-average profits. Additionally, those with ethnic diversity are 33% more likely to do so.
Both a legal department and a law firm can receive advantages from these benefits, with guidelines that offer the widest range of inclusion.
One potential innovation is to include diversity as a factor in the selection of employees and suppliers. Encouraging law firms and other partners to adopt positive practices in this area is another option, even for individual lawyers in their daily work.
Diversity: the way forward
Reducing disparities, promoting gender equality, and ensuring long-term economic progress for everyone should be centered on societal development, as emphasized by three out of the 17 sustainable development goals established by the United Nations.
The legal industry has made notable progress in increasing diversity. There is still room for improvement, and the potential for change lies with all stakeholders in the sector.
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