Creating Access to Justice - An Assessment of Efforts to Improve Legal Services to Blacks Through an Expansion of Legal Educational Opportunities for Blacks

• NCJ Number: 72513
• Author(s): C L Meek
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 367 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Princeton University
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Princeton University - doctoral dissertation

Annotation

This study evaluates the results of educational policies designed to significantly increase the number of black lawyers in the United States and thereby substantially improve legal services to black communities.

Abstract

The evaluation determines the degree to which the original objectives of these policies are being achieved or are lkely to be achieved in the near future. Discussion begins with an examination of the historic problems that had to be overcome to attract more blacks to the legal profession. Improvements that have occurred from 1965 to 1976 are delineated. Using survey data on 567 black law students, the study analyzes background characteristics of students recruited to law school under these educational policies and explores their motivations for choosing law. It also examines their career plans and assesses prospects for improved legal services for blacks by identifying students who are likely to serve black clients and the poor, and those who are likely to establish law practices in areas where they are most needed. Through an analysis of the students' attitudes toward the legal profession, the criminal justice system, and American government in general, the study attempts to identify potential political activists. It also examines the students' occupational values. Next, the professionalization process at law schools is reviewed to determine whether this process influences students' career directions, occupational values, and political attitudes. The differential effects of various types of law schools are also examined. In addition, a comparison analyzes students' personal backgrounds, career plans, occupational values, and political attitudes with those of 235 black lawyers who graduated from the same law schools prior to the implementation of affirmative action policies. The results of this analysis provide some insight into future economic and political change in the black bar. The final chapter concludes that many of the traditional problems limiting participation of blacks in the legal profession remain unsolved, despite the affirmative action efforts, it also presents policy recommendations formulated from the standpoint of disadvantaged blacks. Tables, footnotes, and a selected bibliography of approximately 110 references are provided. Appendixes present survey instruments. (Author abstract modified)