A New York Times survey of the 12 highest-grossing law firms in the United States indicates that only five percent of new partners are minority lawyers, if not fewer. More than ten years ago, elite law schools began admitting more diverse classes with the intention of creating a more diverse workforce of lawyers. The survey found, however, that while there are more minority lawyers at top law firms, a disappointingly low number of them have made partner.
See "Few Minorities Rising to Law Partner", Jonathan D. Glater, The New York Times, August 6, 2001