In the realm of Biglaw, change is afoot after a recent diversity lawsuit. Perkins Coie, one of the major Biglaw firms implicated, is responding by recasting its fellowship. This course of action follows the Supreme Court’s landmark decision to disassembly affirmative action in higher education institutions. A critical detail, considering both Perkins and Morrison & Foerster underwent lawsuits over their fellowships. The plaintiff was none other than The American Alliance for Equal Rights, with an established reputation for challenging diversity initiatives, courtesy of its founder, Edward Blum (Above the Law).
As set out in a statement on the firm’s website, Perkins Coie attests that the revised fellowship shall be available to all, a notable transition away from a program which was exclusively tailored towards candidates from what it labelled “historically underrepresented” groups. However, the firm emphasizes that the fellowship’s redesigned framework is oriented to maintain diversity.
The new Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship Program amplifies the applicant base to all, clearly highlighting the aspects that the firm will utilize in selecting fellows. The tweaked criteria will ensure that the firm continues recruiting victorious lawyers filled with a palette of backgrounds and experiences. The modifications stem from an update to Perkins Coie’s D&I protocols that began after the U.S. Supreme Court judgment in the Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College case in early 2021.
Cheif diversity and inclusion officer at Perkins Coie, Genhi Givings Bailey affirmed that the firm’s dedication to galvanizing diversity, and crafting a more inclusive workspace, remains firm, despite the changing legal scenery. It is also noteworthy that, in addition to its outwardly firm commitment to diversity, the firm offers its attorneys a 50-billable-hour credit for DEI-related activities.
Indeed, such diversity and inclusion initiatives have not gone unnoticed within the political sphere. Republican Senator Tom Cotton has been particularly vocal in challenging the DEI initiatives of Biglaw firms. Nevertheless, the sector’s general response has been underwhelming, featuring little more than a shrug to any perceived threats (Above the Law).
It’s clear that the landscape of Biglaw is ever-changing, with diversity remaining at the forefront of ongoing discussions and challenges. Perkins Coie’s move signifies how firms are taking note of shifts in legal precedent and responding in kind with alterations to their own internal programs. Time will reveal how these tweaked fellowship programs will impact the legal landscape as it continues to evolve.