Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Collaborative

In 2019, a group of national professional organizations committed to expanding diversity in the courts held a summit at the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) Annual Conference.  From their conversation emerged the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Collaborative.

The DEI Collaborative seeks to identify, design and implement coordinated actions between its member organizations.  Its mission is to build a diverse, inclusive, and culturally competent bench, legal profession, court management and staff, dispute resolution and mental health professionals, and all contributors to court operations.  Its purpose is to improve and deliver new, effective, and culturally relevant outcomes for individuals and communities interacting with the court system.

The DEI Collaborative is composed of 15 national organizations:  National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ), American Bar Association Judicial Division,  American Judges Association, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Hispanic National Bar Association, International Association of LGBTQ+ Judges, National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, National American Indian Court Judges Association, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, National Association for Court Management, National Bar Association,  National Center for State Courts, National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts (NCREFC), National Judicial College, and NCJFCJ.

The Collaborative meets the first Thursday of each month.  Its chair is Judge Hiram Puig-Lugo, current NCJFCJ President.  Its Vice Chair is Judge Susan Maven (ret.), from NCREFC. and its Secretary is Senior Judge Orlinda Naranjo from NAWJ.        

Since its inception, the Collaborative has hosted an annual summit.  Its next summit is scheduled for July 2022, as part of the NCJFCJ Annual Conference in Reno, Nevada.

Submitted by Sr. Judge Orlinda Naranjo
NAWJ member and Secretary of DEI