Minority and Justice Commission
Meeting Minutes
Research Subcommittee
Conference Call Minutes
February 25, 1999
The Research Subcommittee of the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission conference call began at 4:15 p.m. Those who participated were Judge Kenneth H. Kato, Judge Monica J. Benton, and Ms. Lamia G. Mackoul for Ms. Donna V. McConnell-Adams.
The Research Subcommittee conference call agenda included a discussion of possible research projects.
Judge Benton and Judge Kato discussed a judicial clerkship survey question with subcategories. Possible subcategories to the main question include:
- How many clerks in the Appellate Court?
- How many bailiff law clerks in the Superior Court?
- How many people identify themselves as persons of color in the various courts?
Judge Benton and Judge Kato discussed the following possible main survey questions:
- How many persons of color are in law schools?
- What and how many policies and procedures encourage persons of color for clerkships?
- What and how many policies and procedures encourage students to seek clerkships?
Judge Benton and Judge Kato discussed the previous questions, then arrived at the main research question:
To what extent do the Washington Courts and Washington Law Schools encourage and facilitate placement of persons of color in judicial clerkships?
Judge Benton and Judge Kato discussed how this question might be answered at the various court levels and whether the question should be personalized to each court.
Judge Benton has talked with Justice Charles Z. Smith, Commission Co-chairperson, about this issue. Justice Smith offered to assist in drafting the survey question.
Judge Kenneth H. Kato will discuss the research and survey project at the full Commission meeting on Friday, February 26, 1999.
Judge Benton and Judge Kato also discussed the data from Dr. George Bridges's recent report.
The conference call ended at 4:35 p.m.
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