Diversity.

In the April 30 article, "Symposium lays out diversity roadmap," many of the recommendations made on diversity are counterproductive for they erroneously assume that inclusion of minorities has to accompany lowered standards and less competition.

For example, relying less on traditional grades and LSAT scores lowers standards and does nothing to assist underrepresented groups. The proposal of "countering the trend where minority trial judges are more likely to draw opponents" for reelection borders on paternalism toward minority judicial candidates.

To increase diversity, the Bar must first reject the well-meaning but misguided idea that minorities are more fragile than non-minorities and thus need separate treatment. Lowering standards to increase minority representation is not only an artificial means of conquering exclusion, but it is also offensive toward minorities.

Panel representatives should move away from their inferred opposition to competition. Underrepresented groups need empowerment to compete at expected levels of performance, not paternalism or lowered expectations. We cannot institute artificially predetermined outcomes and then declare success on diversity. Rather, we succeed by equipping all persons with the tools to succeed and then instituting an open and affirming Bar. Having a minority recruitment team in the Bar and at various law schools, encouraging mentoring for underrepresented...