The key to retaining and recruiting attorney talent may be found in diversity, equity, and inclusion programming, displaying to lawyers that their individualities are genuinely valued. Jeny Maier, who was recently named as the managing partner of Axinn Veltrop & Harkrider, the biggest antitrust boutique firm in the country, discusses this philosophy in a recent…
In an unexpected move, the Florida Supreme Court has directed the state bar to cease funding diversity and inclusion initiatives in its new budget. This decision has been met with a range of responses from legal professionals and corporations alike. Providing details on the matter, the Florida Bar published the court’s order. However, it refrained…
As per a recent survey covered by the New York Law Journal and brought forward by Yanique L. Burke, a significant disparity has been observed in the perception of diversity in law firms between partners and associates. The study finds that diversity and inclusion are twice as important to associates when compared to partners. Further,…
The Florida Supreme Court recently instructed the state bar to halt funding for its diversity and inclusion initiatives. According to the ABA Journal, this move will see the Diversity and Inclusion Committee transition into a new Membership Outreach Committee encouraging greater attorney involvement with the bar. The redirected diversity funding will be allocated to this…
In a profound development in Florida’s legal landscape, the State’s Supreme Court issued a directive to the state bar to cease funding for diversity and inclusion initiatives. This directive, as confirmed by both the high court and the Florida Bar, marks a notable shift in the bar’s resource allocation and its broader commitment to inclusion…
In a notable development, the Florida Bar has been barred from allocating funding towards diversity initiatives. This move is courtesy of the state’s Supreme Court, that has seemingly taken inspiration from a recent ruling by the US Supreme Court prohibiting race-based affirmative action. This has caused some stir in the legal world and remains a subject…
The 11th Circuit is set to hear oral arguments in a potentially significant case which tests a post-Civil War law pertaining to discrimination. The appeal is centred around a challenge by the American Alliance for Equal Rights to an Atlanta venture fund’s grants aimed specifically at supporting Black women entrepreneurs. The legal advocacy group posits…
Blum and his legal team have recently set sights on a novel target: The United States Military Academy at West Point. Their objective is to challenge and potentially uproot the institution’s utilization of affirmative action in its admissions process. For a long time, the military has held an integral role in overcoming barriers of racial…
As law firms worldwide navigate the complexities of potential mergers, legal professionals face unique challenges — and opportunities. In a recent episode of a Law.com podcast, Editor-in-Chief Zack Needles sat down with London-based partner Melinda Wallman of recruiting firm Macrae, to delve into how both the broader work ecosystem and the individual careers of legal…
A former attorney at the reputable law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, who identifies as Black, was presented with his history of mostly negative job evaluations during a recent encounter at a federal court in Manhattan. This revelation came as he maintained his belief that he was dismissed from his role due to his…
A former attorney at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP has refuted claims implying his ‘cavalier’ attitude towards work in his trial. The lawyer, who is Black, alleges that his former employer terminated his contract after he voiced concerns over diversity within the firm. This case is currently being heard by a Manhattan federal jury, and…
A former diversity and inclusion administrator at Alston & Bird LLP has officially withdrawn his claims of overtime pay and retaliation against the company. This dispute concluded nearly a year after it was referred to arbitration by a federal judge in Georgia. The original lawsuit saw the former staffer levelling serious charges against the law…
The New Jersey State Bar Association recently took a stand in defense of its diversity practices, presenting its position to a state appellate panel. The Association argued that its affirmative action plan, aimed at addressing historical underrepresentation on its board of trustees and committees, is compliant with legal regulations. As legal professionals, we understand the…
A recent report from women in the UK finance sector criticizes the current diversity and inclusion initiatives as being ‘tokenistic’ and lacking the substantial power needed to enact change. This sentiment is based on testimonies from 40 women working in various areas, including banking, insurance, and asset management, sheds light on the extensive issue faced…
As the legal world evolves and social consciousness takes center stage, it is important to consider how figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) appropriately enter into these conversations. In a recent examination of this topic from Above the Law, the overarching message was to tread carefully when invoking the resonant and significant…
A conservative legal grouping’s recent challenges to the diversity policies of multinational pharmaceutical company, Sanofi, via the US Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) illustrates a developing trend. The group, known as America First Legal, lodged a formal complaint to the OFCCP on January 2, also addressing the US Equal Equal Employment…
In a pivotal moment for legal gender representation, women now outnumber men for the first time in history among associates, cementing 2023 as a year of all-time highs for both women and minority professionals in the field. This transformational shift is underscored by a comprehensive report released Tuesday. Despite this encouraging progress, the report highlights…
A Connecticut-based physical education teacher, John Grande, has initiated a lawsuit against the Hartford Board of Education, amongst others. The claim revolves around diverse elements of the conflict, including accusations of reprimands for Grande’s opposition to the mandated diversity, equity, and inclusion training within the Hartford school district. The litigation against the Board, which has…
Following an extraordinary career marked by many standout moments, U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Vance is about to embark on her next chapter. Judge Vance, who made history as the first woman to chair the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML), will soon transition to senior status. This development, set to occur on January 16,…
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman’s Manhattan offices became the site of a protest led by recognizable civil rights activist Al Sharpton this past Thursday. Noted for his controversial and sometimes divisive stance, Ackman’s recent campaign to oust the president of Harvard University has spurred widespread conversation and backlash among industry insiders and public figures alike. Those…
Following the success of previous editions, Bloomberg Law has once again announced a call for nominations for the 2024 edition of “They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40”. This noteworthy report is aimed at recognizing the accomplishments and potential of young lawyers nationwide, shedding light on upcoming legal prodigies who are working tirelessly to bring…
In a rapidly changing world, those in the legal profession are discovering that fulfillment and happiness in their chosen careers are not elusive concepts. A recent spotlight in this area comes in the form of an enlightening interview with Amanda Wolfman, Counsel at Neal Gerber & Eisenberg, covered in Above the Law. Wolfman shares the…
In a growing trend corporate scene, the leaders of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are demanding compensation for their extra efforts. The demands stem from these leaders’ increasingly significant responsibilities that go beyond their full-time roles within organizations; a development reported in a recent Bloomberg article. ERGs are increasingly critical components of the contemporary corporate environment….
A conservative litigation group is suing leaders at the Wisconsin State Bar Association over its diversity clerkship program. Wisconsin Attorney Daniel Suhr, represented by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL), alleges the bar’s program is unconstitutional. Suhr’s complaint argues that his First Amendment rights are being violated as his compulsory dues used to…
Since its formation almost two years ago, the Jewish Inclusion Committee at Reed Smith LLP has experienced a welcome surge in membership, growing from a mere five members to a robust force of nearly 150 individuals. This drastic growth underscores a potent demand for support and decisive action in response to the alarming rise in…