Diversity and Inclusion have long been core values of DRI. DRI recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to the success of the legal profession and our organization as they provide innumerable benefits and contributions. To ensure DRI remains committed to those principles, DRI, the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, the International Association of Defense Counsel and the Hispanic National Bar Association have joined together to issue the following statement.
The foundation of a just legal system is built upon the principles of equal protection under the law, civil rights, and the rule of law itself. These bedrock values ensure that every individual— regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnicity, disability,
sexual orientation, political or ideological persuasion or background—is afforded the full rights and opportunities promised in the Constitution. We are all created equal; we all have the promise of inalienable rights and liberties.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are not merely corporate policies or social initiatives; they are essential expressions of justice and fairness, deeply embedded in our legal and moral traditions. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fourteenth Amendment’s
Equal Protection Clause, Americans with Disabilities Act and decades of legal precedent affirm that combating discrimination and expanding opportunities for all is not just a moral imperative, but a legal necessity. It is a fundamental value that
must remain assured.
Actions that seek to curtail DEI efforts in businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies threaten to undermine these fundamental protections for all. The principles of diversity and inclusion were never about exclusion or preferential
treatment; rather, they are about ensuring that every person, regardless of their identity, has a fair and equitable chance to contribute, compete, and succeed.
Opposition to DEI initiatives is often framed as a defense of meritocracy. However, true meritocracy can only exist when historical barriers to opportunity are acknowledged and addressed. The rule of law does not permit discrimination in any form, whether
overt or systemic. It mandates that our institutions actively protect against inequity, just as they do against other forms of injustice. We remain committed to inclusion as it strengthens our democracy and economy. Institutions that embrace diverse
perspectives perform better, innovate more, and serve a broader range of communities. More importantly, an inclusive society ensures that no one is left behind—not because of artificial constraints, but because they are empowered to realize
their full potential.
As professional associations committed to justice and advancing the rule of law and equal access to legal and equitable protections, we recognize that equality before the law is not a passive principle—it is an active pursuit. Any effort to dismantle
diversity initiatives under the guise of neutrality is, in effect, a step backward in the ongoing fight for civil rights. The rule of law demands that our institutions uphold fairness for all, not just for the privileged or the powerful.
We urge our leaders, lawmakers, and business communities to remain steadfast in their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion because it advances the rule of law, is legally sound, and is morally and ethically right.