ArkBar Mission and Diversity Statement

The mission of the Arkansas Bar Association is to support attorneys; advance the practice of law; advocate for the legal profession; foster professionalism, civility, and integrity; and protect the rule of law.


The Association's Diversity Statement as approved by the Board of Governors in 2014 states:


In order to better implement its stated purposes, the Arkansas Bar Association is committed to fostering diversity among the bar and bench. Diversity is an inclusive concept and encompasses, without limitation, race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, nationality, age, disability and marital and parental status. A more diverse bar enables greater innovation and more civility in the legal professions by exposing its member to a wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, life experiences, and talents. By mirroring the diverse population of Arkansas, a diverse bar and bench would provide greater understanding and access to justice to all its citizens. The Arkansas Bar Association through its leadership directly and by its Commission on Diversity seeks to achieve a greater understanding of diversity issues and greater diversity of the bar itself.