Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Field: Current Trends and Future Predictions Diversity and inclusion have become crucial considerations in various industries, and the legal field is no exception. Recognizing and embracing diversity within the legal profession is essential for creating a more equitable and just society. In recent years, there has been a growing understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion in promoting fairness,... (161 views)
Unc Students Distribute Warning Tags Ahead Of Supreme Court Rulings On Affirmative Action A group of students at the University of North Carolina's Chapel Hill campus distributed warning slips to their peers in a busy sunken courtyard at the campus center. The tags read, "Is diversity at UNC important to you? It's under threat." (2 views)
Advocates Call for Federal Judges with Environmental Law Backgrounds President Joe Biden's efforts to diversify the federal bench have not yet included a nominee with a career in environmental law, which progressive and environmental advocates call for. This reflects a need for federal judges with ecological law experience, particularly for non-profit or public interest groups. While Biden has prioritized judicial nominations that bring... (4 views)
Shipman & Goodwin Welcomes Sarah Kettenmann as Associate in Environmental Law Practice Group Shipman & Goodwin LLP has announced that Sarah Kettenmann has recently joined their team as an Associate in the Environmental Law Practice Group. With her wealth of national and international experience, Sarah is expected to be a standout addition to the firm, providing guidance on federal and state environmental, health, and safety laws, as well as international... (19 views)
Dean Martinez’s Memo on Speech Disruption and Policies at Stanford Law School On March 9, 2023, Judge Kyle Duncan’s speech at Stanford Law School was disrupted, prompting Dean Jenny Martinez to share further thoughts on the incident in a memorandum to the Stanford Law School community. In the message, she discusses the school’s policies regarding protests and disruption of speakers and how these policies align with the First Amendment and... (46 views)
Ohio's College to Law Enforcement Pathway Program Prepares Students for Successful Law Enforcement Careers Cedarville University criminal justice majors are taking full advantage of a unique program that is vetting college students for careers in law enforcement. The College to Law Enforcement Pathway Program (CLEPP), a one-of-a-kind initiative introduced by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine in 2020, identifies high-performing college students who are interested in pursuing a career in... (13 views)
Keker, Van Nest & Peters Seeks to Improve Efficiency by Hiring Professional Managers Laurie Carr Mims, the new managing partner at Keker, Van Nest & Peters, is seeking to redefine her role by introducing executives to manage the firm's day-to-day operations. The San Francisco-based litigation firm plans to hire a chief operating officer to oversee its 115-attorney operation, complementing the addition of a chief financial officer in 2020. This move will... (8 views)
Penn State Law Students Gain Valuable Experience At Judicial Clerkship Program Penn State Law's Emilee Kula and Daijah Blackburn represented their school at the 23rd Annual Judicial Clerkship Program held during the American Bar Association midyear meeting in New Orleans on Feb. 2-4. The program connects law students with judges and law clerks, allowing them to examine legal issues, research, prepare briefs, and defend their work to judges and fellow... (6 views)
City Law Firms Accused of "Reputation Laundering" in Diversity Efforts According to an article published last week, City law firms' efforts to become more diverse and inclusive are a form of "reputation laundering," offering only the illusion of change to protect their privileges and rewards. Dr. Louise Ashley, an associate professor at Queen Mary University London, argues that the "passionate commitment" of some individuals within firms to... (5 views)
Apply to SIU School of Law Diversity Prelaw Summer Institute: A Chance To Prepare For Law School And Gain Insight Into Legal Careers The Southern Illinois University School of Law Diversity Prelaw Summer Institute is inviting high-achieving college sophomores and juniors to gain insight into legal careers and prepare for law school. The weeklong institute is scheduled for May 21-27 and is part of SIU Carbondale’s commitment to diversifying the legal profession. The program is limited to 15 students... (9 views)
Verizon Launches IDEAward to Recognize Law Firms Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Verizon is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and diversity within the company and among its customers, suppliers, and business and community partners. The company has seen the powerful results of leaders and colleagues having courageous conversations and creating an inclusive environment. This approach aligns with Verizon's values and benefits... (16 views)
Panel Encourages Diversity in Legal Profession: Advocates Share Insights at University of Edinburgh The Clerk of the Faculty of Advocates, Barney Ross, recently joined a panel discussion at the University of Edinburgh’s Law School, along with other Faculty members, to encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to consider a career as an advocate. The panel included advocates Elisabeth Roxburgh, Dominic Scullion, Mary Ellen Stewart, and devil Bilaal Shabbir. The... (17 views)
The University of Texas System Temporarily Halts Implementation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies On Wednesday, the board of regents for the University of Texas System announced a temporary halt on implementing any new policies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across its 13 university and health campuses. The board has also requested all school leaders to submit a report on their existing DEI policies. According to Kevin Eltife, the UT System Board... (2 views)
Governor Abbott's Office Warns State Agencies and Public Universities About the Use of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives Governor Greg Abbott's office recently issued a memo warning state agency and public university leaders that the use of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in hiring practices is against the law. The memo, written by Abbott's Chief of Staff Gardner Pate, states that these initiatives have been manipulated to favor certain demographic groups over others. (13 views)
2023 DEI Initiatives at Top Charlotte Law Firms The latest Charlotte Business Journal ranking of local law firms lists Moore & Van Allen as the largest in the area, with 323 lawyers in its Charlotte office. Coming in second is McGuireWoods, with 176 local attorneys. Rounding out the top five are Robinson Bradshaw, Alston & Bird, and Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein. Of the local attorneys at Moore & Van Allen, 126 are... (51 views)
Teveia Barnes: From President of Lawyers For One America to Driving Legal Action on Social Justice Issues Remember ''One America,'' Bill Clinton's initiative to promote discussion about race relations in the United States? Then President Clinton reached out to the legal profession to encourage attorneys to do more pro bono work and promote diversity in law firms. LawCrossing speaks with Teveia Barnes, a woman who revived Lawyers For One America, even after the ''One America''... (289 views)
The Impact of the Grutter vs. Bollinger Supreme Court Ruling - A Journal Analysis This past year, a Supreme Court decision about affirmative action in the admissions policies of higher education institutions put the University of Michigan Law School at the forefront of contemporary racial issues. But even before the decision, the Michigan Journal of Race & Law, an academic journal at the law school, had been manning that forefront for a while. (47 views)