In October, PCFJ published its signature infographics, detailing both a current snapshot of and emerging trends concerning the demographics of the Pennsylvania legal profession.
This data, first published by the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board in 2018 at the recommendation of PCFJ and other groups, provides key insights into the gender, race, and ethnicity of attorneys licensed to practice in the Commonwealth. In short, it offers a baseline against which to monitor change and assess progress in diversifying the profession. At PCFJ, we recognize that a diverse array of backgrounds and lived experiences meaningfully strengthens legal practitioners’ ability to pursue justice, boosting public confidence and trust in government and improving performance and competitiveness within the profession itself.
Recent demographic trends present a significant challenge to realizing these goals. Despite modest but steady growth over the past seven years, this year marked a notable downturn, both in the numbers of PA attorneys voluntarily providing their demographic information and in the actual diversity of the profession itself. This trend mirrors a similar decline at the national level, raising important questions about the future of the legal profession and underscoring the important role that legal educators, employers, and other stakeholders play in meeting the demands of our current moment.
To view the 2025-26 demographic snapshot, click here.
To take a deeper dive into data trends over the past eight years, click here.