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A former diversity and inclusion administrator at Alston & Bird LLP has officially withdrawn his claims of overtime pay and retaliation against the company.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…
In a significant move, the Senate has confirmed Jerry Edwards Jr. to join a Louisiana federal trial court, despite notable opposition from members of the House Congressional Black Caucus who previously urged for the withdrawal of his nomination. Edwards Jr., who currently holds a position as an assistant US attorney, achieved confirmation through bipartisan support,…
Data published on Wednesday by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) revealed that the percentage of Black partners with full equity in big firms was virtually nil for 2023. This points to an ongoing challenge of increasing diversity at the upper echelons of the legal profession. In this context, it is significant to highlight that diversity…
In a commendable stride toward inclusivity in professional settings, New York has passed milestone legislation concerning textured hair education. Bill S6528A poses significant implications for discrimination and inclusion practices, both presently and looking ahead. While the details of the bill are not specifically laid out in available public sources, the enactment of such legislation sends…
The legal profession’s route to genuine equity may necessitate better support for all parents, irrespective of gender. Providing equal and substantial parental leave to both birthing and non-birthing parents is one such cornerstone of support, so indicates Ali Spindler at Irwin FritchieLaw360. As many attorneys who are parents underline, balancing substantial responsibilities of legal practice…
Each year for the past three years, the LexisNexis African Ancestry Network LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation Fellowship has awarded fellowships to promising law students to participate in research projects focused on eradicating racism in the legal system. This year, 15 students received fellowships of $10,000 each. These funds are allocated to facilitate nine months…
In financial services, one of the current key considerations revolves around tracking and improving inclusion. This task has become significantly important given the latest proposals that have surfaced from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). The regulatory bodies have suggested improvements to diversity and inclusion in financial services that include…
In a recent move to advance diversity and inclusion in the venture capital (VC) industry, California has taken an assertive step. Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law Senate Bill 54, a legislation that is expected to profoundly impact VC firms, potentially well beyond the borders of California itself. Morgan Lewis reports. Senate Bill 54…