Employment outcomes for recent law graduates diverged sharply by race, according to new data from the National Association for Law Placement (NALP). Black graduates had the lowest employment rate for the class of 2025, a sign that the already uneven path into the legal profession is becoming more difficult for people of color.
The report arrives as law firms face political and legal pressure over diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Notably, nearly 50 law firms declined to provide NALP with demographic data, making it harder to track the full scope of the employment gap. The missing data itself reflects the broader chill around DEI efforts.
While the source does not detail specific employment percentages or compare prior years, it ties the widening gap directly to the Trump administration's crackdown on DEI. The combination of lower employment for Black graduates and reduced transparency from firms suggests that the profession's diversity gains may be stalling or reversing. Without more complete data, the full extent of the disparity remains unclear.}