RUDEN McCLOSKY PARTNER EVETT SIMMONS CHAIRS ABA COUNCIL ON DIVERSITY IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- The law firm of Ruden McClosky is pleased to announce that partner Evett Simmons has been appointed Chair of the President's Advisory Council on Diversity in the Profession by the president of the American Bar Association (ABA). As Chair, Ms. Simmons and the Council are charged with increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession and within the ABA. Ms. Simmons' Chairmanship of the 25-member Council is effective September 1, for a one-year term.

The President's Advisory Council on Diversity in the Profession was established four years ago after a study indicated that representation of minorities  particularly minority males in the legal profession  is not keeping pace with overall population growth. The study cited that only 10% of attorneys are currently people of color while approximately 35% of the country's population comprises people of color. The study projects that by the year 2050, there would be more persons of color in this country than not. Yet, at current rates, the number of lawyers of color would not significantly increase.

The programs and services of the Advisory Council specifically address issues that enhance diversity in the 'pipeline' to the legal profession. The Advisory Council works with key association leadership to spearhead high-profile diversity issues, such as law school admissions, bar examination passage, and the paucity of minorities in law school. To affect a comprehensive approach to pipelines issues, the Advisory Council also represents the ABA in external collaborations with the Law School Admission Council, national minority bar associations, state and local bar associations, major educational organizations, pre-law advisors and other groups.

As incoming Chair, Ms. Simmons will conduct the first meeting of the current Advisory Council on Diversity in the Profession September 17 through 19 at the Hyatt Regency in Miami, Florida. This meeting and planning retreat will be the first time the Council has met in Florida.

A partner of the Ruden McClosky law firm, Ms. Simmons concentrates her professional practice in real estate, probate and guardianship litigation in Florida. She is admitted to practice before the United States District Court, Southern and Middle Districts, of Florida. She is past President of the National Bar Association ('NBA') and chairs the NBA-Crump Law Camp which is a two-week camp for high school students (primarily of color) designed to inspire them to consider the practice of law as a career. Ms. Simmons is a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, a member of the American Law Institute, a member of the American Bar Association and Chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee of The Florida Bar. She is a past president of the Port St. Lucie Bar Assoc-iation, a former member of The Florida Bar Board of Governors, a former member of the State of Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission, and has also served on the Board of Directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc. A graduate of Florida Southern College (B.A., 1979), Ms. Simmons received her law degree from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University, Macon, GA (J.D., 1982). She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Suffolk University, Boston, MA in 2001. Ms. Simmons is resident in Ruden McClosky's Port St. Lucie, Florida office.

For more information, please call Martha Lord, 954-527-6214 or visit www.ruden.com.