Attorneys of Color

Court narrows Black law prof’s discrimination suit against University of Michigan Law School

A federal judge in Detroit has narrowed a Black law professor’s discrimination lawsuit against the University of Michigan Law School.

Jul 14, 2023 10:10 AM CDT

Weekly Briefs: Bar group that ditched drag trivia event criticized; Black law schools guide drops overall rankings

Social justice group criticizes bar drag event cancellation The nonprofit Southern Coalition for Social Justice is forwarding a letter with more than 100 signatures to a bar group that canceled a drag show trivia night, citing “political” reasons. The letter says the decision by the North Carolina Bar Association “flies…

Jun 9, 2023 3:04 PM CDT

BigLaw firm was ‘caring only about its bottom line’ when it wrongly fired pregnant associate, suit says

A former intellectual property associate at DLA Piper has filed a gender bias lawsuit alleging that DLA Piper fired her because she sought maternity leave.

Jun 7, 2023 10:10 AM CDT

These 5 firms are named best for women and diversity

Perkins Coie has been named the top law firm for women and diversity by Seramount, formerly known as Working Mother Media.

Jun 2, 2023 11:35 AM CDT

Program rolls out next generation of civil rights attorneys

A new generation of civil rights lawyers is being trained and deployed to fight racial injustice and inequity across the South, thanks to a program started in 2021 through a $40 million donation to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

May 18, 2023 8:48 AM CDT

Gender, race and finances for law school admittees examined in new report

In 2022, 70% of law school applicants received admissions offers, and men continue to be admitted at higher rates than women, according to a report released Tuesday by the AccessLex Institute, a nonprofit organization.

May 16, 2023 2:32 PM CDT

After judge calls prosecution office a ‘rudderless ship of chaos,’ its leader resigns

“Embattled” is a word that multiple news stories have used to describe St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, who announced her resignation Thursday, after she was accused of mismanaging her office by the state attorney general and contempt of court by a frustrated judge.

May 5, 2023 1:22 PM CDT

Georgia’s discipline process racially biased, suit claims; data on alleged disparity sought

Updated: A Black lawyer has filed a proposed class action lawsuit that accuses Georgia disciplinary officials of racial discrimination in the handling of ethics complaints.

Apr 25, 2023 10:47 AM CDT

Grit and growth mindset boosts work of teams, new ABA report finds

Can teams operate in a gritty and growth mindset-oriented way, and if so, does that make them more successful?

Apr 24, 2023 4:07 PM CDT

Stanford Law’s Black Law Students Association pulls out of recruiting activities after Federalist Society event

Updated: Stanford Law School’s Black Law Students Association will not participate in formal recruiting events, following the school’s apology to Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at New Orleans.

Apr 19, 2023 1:43 PM CDT

First-time bar pass rate for Black candidates below 58%, ABA data shows

According to information released Tuesday by the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, Black candidates continue to have the lowest first-time test-taker pass rate, which was 57% in 2022, compared with 61% in 2021.

Apr 11, 2023 4:30 PM CDT

Law school named in honor of Black attorney in what may be second time in history

The Florida St. Thomas University College of Law recently announced that it would be adding Benjamin L. Crump to its title in recognition of the Black civil rights lawyer.

Feb 9, 2023 12:43 PM CST

High rates of burnout have lawyers in this state considering leaving their jobs or the legal profession

More than three-fourths of Massachusetts lawyers are experiencing burnout, and almost half have thought about leaving their legal employer or the legal profession for that reason or because of stress in the last three years.

Feb 2, 2023 12:07 PM CST

How to track and empower diversity and inclusion initiatives in the legal profession

Ari Kaplan recently spoke with Caren Ulrich Stacy, the founder and CEO of the Diversity Lab, a think tank that uses metrics, behavioral science and design thinking to produce initiatives that cultivate diversity and inclusion in legal organizations.

Jan 18, 2023 10:56 AM CST

Diversity increases among associates, but ‘we are nowhere near’ expected progress at partner level, NALP president says

Lawyers of color continue to make gains in the associate ranks at major U.S. law firms, but their progress at the partnership level “has moved at a more sluggish pace,” according to a report released Thursday by the National Association for Law Placement.

Jan 12, 2023 11:29 AM CST