Diversity and Representation Matter in Our Courts. Open a Door!

Our court system tends to draw in a diverse mixing pot of “customers.” Many of us will end up in a courthouse for some reason, a civil or criminal proceeding, a hearing, a deposition, a divorce, jury duty, even a marriage license. That’s why diversity and representation of all of us matters for those working inside the courthouse.

Guest Belinda Handy is a commissioner in the Superior Court of Riverside County, California. She says the mix of people working inside the courthouse should reflect those who use the services, that means diversity in race, sex, economic background, professional experience and more. Since the public using the courthouse is made up of everyone, so should the staff and leadership. Handy herself rose to the bench from a non-traditional pathway: the public defender’s office.

Our other guest, Terri Walters, shares her experience growing up as a person of color in a predominantly white community, then went to work in law firms that were predominantly white. It took effort to shake an “imposter syndrome” and understand she belongs and that she excels at her job. “Never did I have the opportunity to work with people that look like me,” she says. “Representation matters.”

Both Handy and Walters advocate for pathways to success in the legal field for people in underrepresented communities. The court system can seem intimidating, but there are doors open to everyone. It’s not all about college degrees and law school. Handy says the courthouse is “like a city,” full of opportunities including IT specialists, clerks, bailiffs, paralegals, and yes, judges and lawyers. “The court’s a public building. You’re welcome to come in,” Handy says. Hear how all of us in the legal community can invite someone inside, maybe a young person who thinks the courts aren’t there for them. Open a door today.

Special thanks to our sponsors NALA and InfoTrack.

Mentioned in This Episode