Sports Lawyers Association Policy Statement on Diversity and Inclusion

 A.       Sports Lawyers Association (“SLA”) Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

The SLA is an association comprised of lawyers, law professors and law students of different genders, ethnicities, colors, races, ages, religions, cultures, national origins, sexual orientations, sexual identities, ages, veteran status, able and differently-abled physical and mental capacities (among other characteristics), backgrounds and experiences.  The SLA values, respects and celebrates the unique and valuable contributions that all of its members bring to the association (“Diversity”), and actively seeks and engages Diverse individuals by cultivating and providing environments and opportunities that embraces all persons and permits them to feel welcome, respected, valued and empowered (“Inclusion”).

The SLA recognizes the importance of Diversity and Inclusion, and commits to ensuring Diversity and Inclusion in all aspects of its leadership, membership, services and programs.  To ensure it lives up to this commitment and is effectively serving and representing all of its members, the SLA has created a Diversity and Inclusion Committee.   The following reflects the focus of the SLA’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s work to ensure that Diversity and Inclusion is embraced as a core value across all aspects of our association.

B.        Diversity & Inclusion as a Critical and Integral Part of the SLA 

1. The SLA will stand with its members against discrimination or intolerance of any kind.
2. Diversity & Inclusion will be a core consideration, priority and requirement in all SLA Board and Committee work.
3. Annual Diversity & Inclusion Training will be provided to and will be mandatory for all Board Members.
4. The SLA will increase diverse representation on the Board and on all Committees.
5. The Conference and Content Committees will be intentional in its focus to increase the diversity of speakers at SLA events, as well as ensuring that content provided is meaningful and of interest to all SLA members.
6. The Diversity & Inclusion Committee will serve as a source of oversight for SLA Board and its Committees, as well as a resource Diversity & Inclusion guidance and needs.