Last year, I wrote that the legal profession’s failure to retain women and minorities was not a “hard problem,” but rather a character flaw. My intent was not to imply malice; many partners at law firms genuinely want their diversity numbers to improve. Still, facts are facts.
But this year is different, right? Surely, the events of 2020 have provided the impetus for change. How could they not?
The answer lies in the difference between philosophy and psychology. Philosophy sets our goals, but psychology dictates our path. While there is hope that the events of this year will bring change, there are a number of psychological effects that still stand in the way.
