Shortly thereafter, Sandrino, along with the five other minority attorneys, secured positions elsewhere and left the firm together. "I felt it was the only way to make a difference," she says.

Almost 20 years later, diversity in law firms is still lacking in terms of numbers, causing the legal industry as a whole to take note.

"Diversity within the legal profession is essential. As the demographics of society change, so should the demographics of law firms, big and small," says Traci Howard, California Western assistant dean of admissions. "The legal profession should be at the forefront of creating a structure of opportunity that gives minorities the full opportunity to serve and succeed within the profession. In many communities, having access to lawyers with similar social backgrounds can go a long way in making that community feel supported and empowered."

Law firms are strategizing ways to recruit and retain minorities through diversity committees, including the current trend of hiring a "diversity specialist" on staff. However, according to Sandrino, what often happens is recruitment comes from the same pool of prospects, and those at the top usually recruit from Ivy League schools. "You have to acknowledge that a lot of minority law students are not going to make it to the really big law schools," she says. "Law firms are beginning to recognize that students who have socioeconomic barriers and didn't go to the best schools are still very smart people."

Recognition is a good first step, but the legal profession has a long way to go. As the world becomes more multicultural, it is important law firms adhere to those demands.

"Being more diverse provides a law firm with different perspectives, which ultimately benefit the client," says Sandrino. "Diversity is good for its own sake."