The National Disabled Legal Professionals Association (NDLPA) is a national association created by, and for, disabled lawyers; judges; policy experts; legislators; academics; and other legal workers, professionals, and organizers. We know the legal profession is both exclusionary and inaccessible, and the law was not designed by or for us.
But the legal profession must reflect the communities it serves. While disabled people make up at least 28% of the general population, as of 2023, disabled lawyers represent about 1.41% of partners and 1.99% of all lawyers at firms, according to the National Association for Law Placement. Disabled people of color are even more underrepresented in the legal profession.
Our Mission
NDPLA was founded in 2022 to organize and unify disabled legal professionals into a force for change, and to advocate for and empower disabled legal professionals. NDLPA strives to
- Promote professional growth and opportunity for disabled legal professionals;
- Improve access and inclusion in the profession; and
- Ensure access to justice for all.
NDLPA achieves these goals by
- Publishing resources for disabled legal professionals and law students, employers, law schools, and other members of the legal profession;
- Hosting events;
- Spearheading a mentorship program for disabled legal professionals and law students;
- Sharing information about opportunities for professional growth and employment;
- Partnering and collaborating with other organizations and advocates;
- Engaging in systemic and policy advocacy;
- Providing direct support to disabled legal professionals navigating an inaccessible profession;
- And more.
Know that you are not alone. We hope you will join us in our mission to change the nature of the legal profession.