Twin Cities Diversity in Practice (TCDIP) is a nonprofit association of more than 70 law firms and corporate legal departments who share a vision to create a vibrant and inclusive legal community and a mission to strengthen the efforts of Member Organizations to attract, recruit, advance, and retain attorneys of color. We turn good intentions into action through the active participation of all our Member Organizations, with support from our dedicated professional staff, including a full-time Executive Director.

We know that our Nation’s and our State’s true diversity is not reflected in the legal field. According to the National Association for Law Placement’s 2019 Report on Diversity, only 17% of US attorneys at law firms (including summer associates, associates, counsel, partners, and staff attorneys) are people of color. In Minnesota, close to 20% of the general population are people of color, but in the Twin Cities only 7.2% of attorneys are people of color. While the number of law students and associates of color has continued to improve, the number of attorneys of color at higher levels within organizations continues to lag. What’s more, women and people of color leave the legal profession at higher rates than their white male counterparts, beginning with their first year as an associate.

TCDIP Members know that the only way to tackle these challenges is to work with others who are just as committed to changing the landscape of the legal profession. That is why, in 2005, a handful of attorneys in the Twin Cities began building a coalition that has over the years coalesced into TCDIP. Today, TCDIP is composed of more than 70 law firms and corporate legal departments. Attorneys of color and their allies work together at all levels to learn tactics, challenge biases, and launch innovative programs designed to foster a professional climate that enables the success of all attorneys. General Counsel, Managing Partners, other key decision makers, and rising attorneys serve on our Board and committees, participate in out programming, and work collaboratively to make greater gains in attracting, recruiting, advancing, and retaining diverse attorneys.