We are proud to announce that Professor Kimberly Norwood has been appointed to serve as Commissioner of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession (CREDP). Her term began on August 1. This is her second reappointment to this Commission.
Norwood is the Henry H. Oberschelp Professor of Law and a distinguished legal scholar who has devoted her career to addressing longstanding issues of racial justice, implicit bias, and systemic inequality in the law. Her appointment to the ABA is a testament to her profound contributions to these issues and her ongoing efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal field.
“I am honored and humbled to serve on this Commission,” Norwood said. “A diverse legal profession is not just a moral imperative — but a practical necessity. Together with my colleagues, I look forward to advancing the Commission’s work and driving meaningful change to the legal community.”
Since joining the WashU Law faculty in 1990, Norwood has become a global leader on civil rights and equity, and her scholarship has contributed to the reshaping of the conversation around the intersection of race and the law. Her research focuses on topics related to Blackthink, colorism, implicit bias, and racial disparities in public schools.
As CREDP Commissioner, Norwood will collaborate with her ABA colleagues nationwide to craft policies and initiatives that promote racial and ethnic diversity within the legal profession. Since its inception in 1986, the CREDP has led several initiatives within the ABA, including a Model Diversity Survey for reporting diversity metrics and the Spirit of Excellence Awards, which recognize lawyers demonstrating a continued commitment to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. Professor Norwood also serves as the Chair of the Implicit Bias Committee of the State and Local Government Section of the ABA. She was also reappointed in 2024 as a Commissioner on the Missouri Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts.
This appointment is the latest milestone in Norwood’s illustrious career, one that underscores her contributions and dedication to the field of law. Please join us in celebrating this achievement as a reflection of the excellence and impact she brings to WashU Law and beyond.
