Neo-tribal Sociality in the Upper Echelons of the Legal Profession: Issues of Race

Abstract

This chapter examines how the Maffesolian theory of neo-tribal sociality challenges race as one of the main characteristics of legal professional identity. It investigates the commodification of ‘race’ as a component of professional identity construction attesting to exclusionary practices. Academic accounts perceive ‘race’ either as an issue of discrimination or even of diversity, therefore, inclusion. This chapter examines ‘race’ from a different perspective. It perceives ‘race’ as an element of neo-tribalism especially in the upper echelons of the legal profession in England and Wales. The use of the notion of neo-tribal sociality in the study of the legal profession resurfaces hidden aspects of legal professional identity, which could potentially amount to a renegotiation of ‘race’ as a commodity. From this perspective, this chapter reveals aspects of a new kind of legal professional identity suggestive of elements of neo-tribalism. These claims are supported by a thorough examination of a small sample of older and more recent advertising material of some sets of Chambers and some large corporate law firms in England.