Diversity

8 ways to enhance workplace inclusivity through physical space and design

While it’s not far-fetched to speculate that changing office temperatures more than a few degrees in either direction could turn the thermostat into courtroom evidence, have entities that are committed to inclusion in the workplace considered whether a rise from 70 to 72 degrees might be enough to keep everyone more comfortable and increase overall productivity?

Oct 3, 2019 7:00 AM CDT

In challenge alleging Asian American bias, federal judge upholds Harvard’s use of race in admissions

A federal judge in Massachusetts has upheld Harvard University’s consideration of race in undergraduate admissions in a challenge alleging discrimination against Asian Americans.

Oct 1, 2019 4:55 PM CDT

Working Mother’s list of 100 best companies includes these 5 law firms

Five law firms made Working Mother Media’s 2019 list of 100 best companies based on their benefits for families. The five law firms are: Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer; Dechert; Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner; Katten Muchin Rosenman; and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. The American Lawyer has a story.…

Sep 25, 2019 1:30 PM CDT

Northwestern Law joins Diversity Lab project funded by large law firms

Women now comprise 50% of law school graduating classes, but it’s unlikely that they will reach that percentage in large law firm equity partnerships until 2057, according to a press release from Northwestern University's Pritzker School of Law.

Sep 18, 2019 12:47 PM CDT

Federal judge tosses suit by gay lawyer who says his co-counsel outed him to al-Qaida client

A federal judge in Chicago has ruled that a mitigation specialist who worked on the defense team for accused Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed can’t sue a co-counsel accused of outing him as a gay man to the client.

Sep 17, 2019 2:05 PM CDT

Retired appeals court chief justice receives lifesaving gift from former colleague

The retired chief justice of the 5th Court of Appeals in Texas has received an extraordinary gift from a former colleague.

Sep 12, 2019 2:38 PM CDT

14 ways to discuss diversity in your law firm

Dallas lawyer Sara E. Inman has seen the topic of race make even the most confident attorneys squirm. A law firm cannot reach the goal of diversifying if attorneys in the office are uncomfortable talking about diversity past the surface level.

Sep 12, 2019 6:30 AM CDT

Bankruptcy judge should have recused because of fiance’s job offer, federal court says

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge John Olson of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, should have recused himself in a dispute over a lien because of his fiance’s job offer with a law firm in the litigation, according to a decision by a federal judge. Olson’s fiance, lawyer George Fender, accepted a job with Ruden…

Sep 11, 2019 12:15 PM CDT

New rules in this state give break from court appearances to lawyers who are new parents

Lawyers in North Carolina will be able to avoid court appearances for up to 12 weeks after the birth or adoption of a child, the state’s chief justice announced Tuesday.

Sep 11, 2019 10:06 AM CDT

Want encouragement in the justice arena? Think about what’s changed, says Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

The country has come a long way, said U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and that’s what keeps her optimistic for the future. “It can be hard to do anything as a loner, but if you get together with like-minded people, you can be a force for change,” Ginsburg said at a discussion Monday at the University of Chicago.

Sep 10, 2019 3:15 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Ex-White House counsel acquitted; lawyer pleads guilty in alleged attack on colleague

Former White House counsel is acquitted on false-statement charge Federal jurors on Wednesday acquitted former White House counsel Greg Craig on a charge of making false statements to the government about his lobbying work for Ukraine while working at Skadden Arps. Craig was accused of making false statements to the…

Sep 4, 2019 4:55 PM CDT

Lawyer with autism finds her voice

With the help of her parents, Haley Moss overcame the stereotypes associated with autism to become a published author and a lawyer.

Sep 1, 2019 2:30 AM CDT

10 Questions: This North Carolina litigator reigns as Miss USA

In May, Cheslie Kryst received a verdict from a panel of judges that changed the course of her life.

Sep 1, 2019 2:10 AM CDT

ABA Medal recipient Dale Minami built a career around inclusion and civil rights for Asian Americans

Dale Minami—known as one of the lawyers who helped overturn the conviction of Fred Korematsu, the Japanese American man whose name is on a notorious and widely repudiated U.S. Supreme Court case—has been awarded the ABA Medal, the association’s highest honor.

Sep 1, 2019 12:40 AM CDT

Florida Supreme Court weighs rule generally requiring judges to grant parental-leave continuances

The Florida Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on a proposed rule that requires judges to grant continuances for parental leave in connection with the birth or adoption of a child—unless a showing of “substantial prejudice” is made. Proponents said the rule is needed to deal with a statewide problem of…

Aug 28, 2019 1:12 PM CDT