California bar asks members about sexual orientation, gender identity

The member survey was previously less interested in personal characteristics

California bar asks members about sexual orientation, gender identity

The State Bar of California has added sexual orientation and gender identity questions to its online member survey.

According to the Recorder, the addition of the questions is part of a move to advance diversity in the profession. About 100,000 lawyers have completed the voluntary survey and only few have apparently complained about the new questions.

For gender, respondents can indicate female, male, transgender, gender variant/nonconforming/nonbinary, two-spirit and not listed (please specify). Two-spirit is a Native American gender status.

For sexual orientation, respondents can indicate lesbian or gay, bisexual, heterosexual, pansexual, asexual and not listed (please specify).

The member survey was previously less interested in personal characteristics.

“We expanded our survey questions to reflect best practices for collecting race, ethnicity and sexual orientation,” Jonah Lamb, bar spokesman, told the Recorder. “We also expanded our questions around career satisfaction in order to better understand overall career experience across the attorney population.”

Recent articles & video

Data privacy laws impact orgs in Australia across the board: report

Keypoint Law secures IP expert as newest consulting principal

MinterEllison lends a hand to Freight Management Holdings on Border Express acquisition

Law Squared appoints new in-house legal specialist

Shine Lawyers files Federal Court class action against Aussie Home Loans

Most Influential Lawyers 2024 now open for nominations

Most Read Articles

HSF graduate solicitor: 'We can provide so much value by doing the simple things right'

Bird & Bird flies off with International Tennis Federation executive director

Ashurst debuts infrastructure, places and capital projects advisory offering

Baker McKenzie alum jumps to Clayton Utz