A generational shift was in the air at the Bar Association of San Francisco on Thursday, as Arturo Gonzalez was inducted as the 97th president of the organization.
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Arturo Gonzalez/By James Block |
Gonzalez, who will be BASF's second Latino president, said the theme of his presidency will be "How can I help?" and outlined simple ways senior lawyers of any race can promote diversity in the profession: taking younger, diverse lawyers to lunch, for example, or giving them work. He paid tribute to the MoFo partners who had played that role for him, including three past BASF presidents -- Melvin Goldman, James Brosnahan and Robert Raven.
"Having mentors like Bob, Jim and Mel," he said, "it is no surprise I have prospered at their firm."
Among specific initiatives, Gonzalez said he would launch a "bottom line task force" on law firm diversity and resurrect a legislative initiative that aims to govern lawyer conduct in depositions.
— Scott Graham
But will he give work to any "non-diverse" young attorneys, much less take them to lunch? I acknowledge the importance of diversity in the profession, but aren't there are some pressing issues that go beyond diversity? Namely, how do we handle unemployment and underemployment of young attorneys nowadays? The economy may be getting better slowly, but there are a ton of junior attorneys in the Bay Area and beyond that just can't land a job. There are no jobs to be had. MoFo certainly isn't hiring like they once were. This predicament does nothing to help the many other external stresses that junior attorneys are facing -- debt, depression, career stagnation, etc. In this climate, the BASF should make professional recovery a priority. Today's young attorneys -- regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation -- are tomorrow's BASF leaders.
Posted by: Worried BASF member | December 21, 2009 at 05:40 PM