DIVERSITY COMMITTEE

Cory Patterson
March 2018

The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance, respect, and equity. Diversity is the appreciation and understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences as practicing attorneys. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual attorney.

 
Diversity is a reality created by individuals and groups from a broad spectrum of demographic and philosophical differences. It is extremely important to support and protect diversity because by valuing individuals and groups free from prejudice, and by fostering a climate where equity and mutual respect are intrinsic.  The Greenville County Bar Association is committed to embracing our current diversity, and promoting future diversity within our Bar.  In that same vein, the Greenville County Bar Association Diversity Committee will highlight the diverse nature of the attorneys within our bar through CLEs, programs, and social events.  Our events will be dedicated to celebrating inclusivity of all attorneys within our bar.  We hope to encourage barrier breaking discussions, increased perspectives, and deep, long lasting relationships with our attorneys.  Through the Diversity Committee of the Greenville County Bar Association we hope to bring our attorneys of different races, sexes, ages, religious beliefs and different ideologies, together in a celebration of what makes our bar special - the diversity of our attorneys. 
 
If there are particular events and/or topics that you would like to see the Diversity Committee tackle please let us know.