Diversity

Assistant public defender: ‘I just personally like to give back’

LaToya Bell, an assistant public defender in Houston County in Georgia, a member of the ABA’s Young Lawyers Division and Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division, and a member of the State Bar of Georgia’s Young Lawyers Division, handles as many as 200 to 250 cases at any time involving misdemeanors and traffic offenses in state court. She has earned her own reputation for being hopeful for her clients—hopeful not only that justice is served, but that she can in some way improve their lives.

Jan 22, 2020 1:27 PM CST

BigLaw partner is accused of sexual harassment by ousted CEO of Grammys organization

The ousted CEO of the Grammys organization has accused a Greenberg Traurig shareholder of sexual harassment in a charge of discrimination filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Jan 22, 2020 11:18 AM CST

Amtrak apologizes after Sherrilyn Ifill says conductor asked her to give up her train seat

Amtrak has apologized to Sherrilyn Ifill, the president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, after she tweeted that a conductor asked her to give up her train seat for other people who would be boarding.

Jan 21, 2020 12:53 PM CST

Suit by former firm partner alleges cash-flow problems, gay and racial bias

A former nonequity partner at Kasowitz Benson Torres in San Francisco filed a lawsuit last Thursday alleging that the firm treated him differently because he is black and gay.

Jan 15, 2020 11:01 AM CST

Top St. Louis prosecutor files suit alleging racially motivated conspiracy to obstruct her equal-justice efforts

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner filed a federal lawsuit Monday alleging the city and the police union are engaged in a racially motivated conspiracy to deny civil rights by obstructing her efforts to ensure equal justice under the law.

Jan 14, 2020 3:03 PM CST

BigLaw firm defends its commitment to diversity after Al Sharpton’s criticism

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is defending its diversity efforts after the Revs. Al Sharpton and Dale D. Dennis II criticized the law firm for having few racial minorities in its Wilmington, Delaware, office.

Jan 7, 2020 3:42 PM CST

What ABA Journal readers can look forward to in 2020

In the news business, you can't take too much for granted. But while 2020 is sure to bring an abundance of surprises, we at the ABA Journal have plans in the works for new series, special projects and revamps of older products. Here's a look behind the editorial curtain at a few of the things you have to look forward to in 2020.

Jan 2, 2020 4:44 PM CST

The financial costs for firms when women and minority lawyers leave

In this new episode of Asked and Answered, Ripa Rashid of Culture at Work talks to the ABA Journal’s Stephanie Francis Ward about how can firms keep female and minority lawyers from leaving and the potentially high cost if and when they depart.

Dec 30, 2019 6:00 AM CST

Meet 11 ABA members who inspired us in 2019

Members Who Inspire is an ABA Journal series profiling exceptional ABA members. This past year, we featured many in the legal field who are doing good work and paying it forward, including pro bono for veterans, fighting for prisoners' rights, and promoting literacy and advancing diversity.

Dec 26, 2019 8:55 AM CST

Take a gander at our favorite 2019 slideshow galleries

From famous celebrity prenups to groundbreaking black lawyers to First Amendment milestones, the ABA Journal presents our favorite slideshow galleries from this year. Which gallery was your favorite? Love Hurts: 13 Famous Prenups Kicking off 2019 was a gallery for Valentine’s Day about famous celebrity prenups, which are used to…

Dec 23, 2019 9:50 AM CST

Gender equality is ‘irrevocable tenet of our society,’ ABA president says

On Wednesday, ABA President Judy Perry Martinez urged members of the South Carolina General Assembly to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment—a proposed constitutional amendment that would guarantee equal rights for all Americans regardless of sex.

Dec 19, 2019 9:15 AM CST

Percentage of black associates in large firms finally tops 2009 level, but not by much

The percentage of black associates in major law firms finally surpassed 2009 figures this year, according to a new diversity report by the National Association for Law Placement.

Dec 18, 2019 1:39 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Impeachment articles OK’d for House vote; judge’s dog-fighting remarks didn’t require recusal

House committee approves articles of impeachment The House Judiciary Committee on Friday approved two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, sending them to the full U.S. House of Representatives for an expected vote next Wednesday. One article accuses Trump of abuse of power for Trump’s request for Ukraine to…

Dec 13, 2019 4:15 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Holder says Barr is unfit to be AG; law firm promotes nonbinary gender inclusiveness

Holder op-ed says AG Barr is unfit to be attorney general U.S. Attorney General William Barr has proved he is unfit to lead the Department of Justice, according to an op-ed by one of his predecessors in the Obama administration, Eric Holder Jr. Barr has been “running political interference for…

Dec 12, 2019 4:19 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Law student expelled after posting flyers; Harvey Weinstein reportedly reaches $25M deal

Suspended law student is expelled after posting ‘okay to be white’ flyers A suspended law student at Oklahoma City University was expelled after he posted flyers reading “It’s okay to be white.” The student violated the terms of his suspension, which barred him from being on school property, according to…

Dec 11, 2019 3:21 PM CST