Champions of Diversity Challenge
Battle Between Law Firms, Advancing Bay Area Youth
March 23 - April 10, 2026
Your firm is invited to participate in the Champions of Diversity annual fundraising challenge wherein Bay Area law firms compete against one another to support debate education and raise the most donations for the Bay Area Urban Debate League.
BAUDL works with under-resourced Bay Area public school districts to make competitive policy date available to every public high school student. Through the program, students confront world issues, gain skillsets and self-confidence, and prepare for competitive school and career pathways, including law!
Bay Area Urban Debate League students know the rigor and grit required to imagine their futures, and your support can make these futures possible. Join us to build a strong foundation for aspiring youth at under-resourced schools in the Bay Area.
BAUDL works with under-resourced Bay Area public school districts to make competitive policy date available to every public high school student. Through the program, students confront world issues, gain skillsets and self-confidence, and prepare for competitive school and career pathways, including law!
Bay Area Urban Debate League students know the rigor and grit required to imagine their futures, and your support can make these futures possible. Join us to build a strong foundation for aspiring youth at under-resourced schools in the Bay Area.
How the Challenge Works
Firms sort into two divisions based on their number of Bay Area attorneys.
Be a champion for BAUDL for the week.
Throughout the competition, we’ll share more about a component of our work and the extraordinary impact we’re having. We’ll ask YOU to reach out to colleagues and community to join you in donating to support our important work, not to mention help your firm become the winning champion.
The top three firms in each division will be recognized for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes with their names to be added to the Champions of Diversity trophies, which are awarded at our end-of-year Debate Showcase Celebration!
- Elite Division: 60 or fewer attorneys
- Grand Division: 61+ attorneys
Be a champion for BAUDL for the week.
Throughout the competition, we’ll share more about a component of our work and the extraordinary impact we’re having. We’ll ask YOU to reach out to colleagues and community to join you in donating to support our important work, not to mention help your firm become the winning champion.
The top three firms in each division will be recognized for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes with their names to be added to the Champions of Diversity trophies, which are awarded at our end-of-year Debate Showcase Celebration!
Why Participate?
HELP DIVERSIFY THE LEGAL PIPELINE
BAUDL serves over 300 students at 15 schools across seven Bay Area districts. We partner with schools that wouldn't have a debate team without us, and raise funds to ensure our students can attend national debate camps and tournaments historically not accessible to students in under-resourced schools.
Approximately 80% of BAUDL debaters are students of color, and 100% of them hail from under-resourced public schools. Many BAUDL students want to go on to practice law.
INCREASE GRADUATION RATES
Debate education is proven to increase high school graduation rates and academic achievement in both middle and high school including literacy, analytical and critical thinking skills, and educational success. BAUDL students, for the 5th year in a row, achieved a 100% graduation rate compared to the district rate of 72%.
CONNECT DIRECTLY WITH YOUNG, ASPIRING LAWYERS
The challenge affords youth the chance to meaningfully connect with professional like you, and it's a powerful way for your to support their growth an development. Youth present online and make in-person visits during the course of the challenge.
CLAIM BRAGGING RIGHTS
Your firm has a shot at joining the illustrious ranks of past winning firms, including 2025 champions XX, XX, and XX.
BAUDL serves over 300 students at 15 schools across seven Bay Area districts. We partner with schools that wouldn't have a debate team without us, and raise funds to ensure our students can attend national debate camps and tournaments historically not accessible to students in under-resourced schools.
Approximately 80% of BAUDL debaters are students of color, and 100% of them hail from under-resourced public schools. Many BAUDL students want to go on to practice law.
INCREASE GRADUATION RATES
Debate education is proven to increase high school graduation rates and academic achievement in both middle and high school including literacy, analytical and critical thinking skills, and educational success. BAUDL students, for the 5th year in a row, achieved a 100% graduation rate compared to the district rate of 72%.
CONNECT DIRECTLY WITH YOUNG, ASPIRING LAWYERS
The challenge affords youth the chance to meaningfully connect with professional like you, and it's a powerful way for your to support their growth an development. Youth present online and make in-person visits during the course of the challenge.
CLAIM BRAGGING RIGHTS
Your firm has a shot at joining the illustrious ranks of past winning firms, including 2025 champions XX, XX, and XX.
HELP US RAISE $100,000 FOR STUDENT LEADERS!
RSVP to BAUDL Executive Director Mya Whitaker
287 17th St #201, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
© Bay Area Urban Debate League. All rights reserved.
© Bay Area Urban Debate League. All rights reserved.