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The Profession
Apr
20
From TheNationsBestAdvocates:
For NBA members, law is more than a career—it’s a commitment. United by a need to serve their communities, African American lawyers from across the nation attend the National Bar’s Annual Convention. This year, the National Bar Association and IMPACT will produce the first annual Nation’s Best Advocates (N.B.A.): 40 Lawyers Under 40 Gala at the 85th Annual Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Do you know an African American Lawyer, 40 or under, who is doing great things in the legal community? Share their story with the world by nominating this young lawyer for Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40 This year, the National Bar Association and IMPACT will produce the first annual Nation’s Best Advocates (N.B.A.): 40 Lawyers Under 40 at the 85th Annual Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. The purpose of this prestigious award is to recognize talented individuals (age 40 and under) within the African American legal community who have achieved prominence and distinction in their fields. Successful nominees will have demonstrated a strong commitment to empowering, uplifting, and advocating for the African American community. Nominees should represent a cross-section of legal professionals: solo practitioners, government lawyers, judges, academicians, corporate counsels, young elected officials, and others lawyers who are using their law degree in innovative ways. Winners are chosen based on: achievement, innovation, vision, leadership, and legal community involvement.
Mar
30
Dechert Partner Vernon Francis:Firms Must Act To Offset Diversity Setbacks
Filed Under The Profession • Leave a Comment
Commentary from The Legal Intelligencer:
Earlier this month, The Legal Intelligencer affiliate The American Lawyerreported on a development that was as disheartening as it was expected. Citing its own yearly surveys of National Law Journal 250 firms, the legal profession’s flagship publication found that the percentage of lawyers from racial minority groups practicing at the nation’s largest firms decreased in 2009.
The decrease in percentage terms was relatively small — from 13.9 percent to 13.4 percent. But it was significant because it was the first such decrease in the 10-year history of the Am Law “Diversity Scorecard” survey, and because data from the survey combined with other factors suggest cause for more serious concern over the longer term.
I believe that we lawyers who work at large firms have an obligation to respond to this development in a manner that advances our commitment to greater diversity to a higher level. We are threatened with irrelevance if we don’t.
Read full opinion piece here.
Feb
12
It was a good day in snowy Mississippi for Carlos Moore and his client, Michael Archie. From the Greenwood Commonwealth:
A Leflore County jury decided Tuesday for Michael Archie.
It set the price of his ability to use the lower half of his body at $12 million.
The a-mount is to be paid by the owner and security guard at the Itta Bena club where Archie, an innocent bystander, was shot on Jan. 26, 2003.
The former basketball player at Greenwood High School and Mississippi Valley State University has been a paraplegic since.
Archie’s attorney, Carlos Moore of Grenada, said the family is pleased with the verdict but would give anything to have Archie back up and walking.
“That is simply priceless,” Moore said in a prepared statement released after the jury returned its verdict just before noon Tuesday.
Feb
9
The American Bar Association met in Orlando, FL for its 2010 Midyear Meeting and it was all about diversity.
The ABA formally issued its “Diversity in the Legal Profession: The Next Steps” Report. According to the ABA Diversity Commission:
Diversity approaches, according to the study, need to be inclusive, not pigeon-holing lawyers into affinity groups by discrete racial and ethnic categories, gender, sexual orientation or disability. At the same time, barriers may differ by practice setting, meaning the strategies to increase diversity cannot be one-size-fits-all, the study suggests.
It also asserted four rationales for diversity:
- Lawyers and judges have a unique responsibility for sustaining democracy
- The profession must be diverse to thrive in a global and domestically inclusive business environment
- Diversity is critical if the profession wishes to maintain a societal leadership role
- Changing demographics in society compel the profession to change its own demographics
The Midyear Meeting also held an interesting panel, Diversity on the Bench: Is the “Wise Latina” a Myth? Two studies suggest it may not be.
In Myth of The Color-Blind Judge: An Empirical Analysis of Racial Harassment Cases, Pat Chew and Robert Kelley:
African American judges rule differently than White judges, even when one takes into account their political affiliation or certain characteristics of the case. Our findings further suggest that judges of all races are attentive to the relevant facts of the cases but may reach different conclusions depending on their races. When race, political affiliation, and certain case characteristics are all considered simultaneously, the role that race plays loses some statistical significance (as one might expect given the increasing number of variables).
While we cannot predict how an individual judge might act, our empirical analysis suggests that African American judges as a group and White judges as a group perceive racial harassment differently. These findings counter the traditional myth that the race of a judge would not make a difference—a myth premised on a presumption of a formalistic and objective decision-making process.
In “Female Judges Matter: Gender and Collegial Decisionmaking in the Federal Appellate Courts” Jennifer Peresie writes:
The data also indicate that an indirect effect existed: Male judges were more likely to find for plaintiffs when at least one female judge was on the panel.81 Because the regressions controlled for ideology, the results indicate that regardless of the ideology of the male judge, sitting on a panel with a female judge increased the likelihood that he found for the plaintiff. As Figure 2 illustrates, adding a female judge to the panel more than doubled the probability that a male judge ruled for the plaintiff in sexual harassment cases (increasing the probability from 16% to 35%) and nearly tripled this probability in sex discrimination cases (increasing it from 11% to 30%). Further, conservative male judges were affected as much as liberal male judges were by the presence of a female judge.
The meeting also highlighted its Judicial Clerkship Program with this neat video:
For more information, see the ABA’s Center For Racial & Ethnic Diversity webpage.
Jan
11
Moonlighting as NFL Cheerleader–New Trend?
Filed Under Something Else, The Profession • Leave a Comment
Last week in a story about the dearth of marriageable black men we brought you Nicole Marchand, a Prosecutor by day and Atlanta Falcons cheerleader by night (and weekends). We had assumed this was an anomaly; however, our friends over at Above The Law has found another one.
From ATL:
An ATL reader alerted us that Raven Akram, an attorney at Sandberg Phoenix, moonlights as an NFL cheerleader for the St. Louis Rams. Sandberg Phoenix is a 65-attorney trial firm with “seriously unbelievable client service.” Akram joined the firm’s St. Louis office in 2008.
Jan
4
Howard Law Grad, Kasim Reed, Takes Helm As Mayor of Atlanta
Filed Under Politics, Something Else, The Profession • Leave a Comment
Watch Kasim Reed take the oath of office as Mayor of Atlanta.
According to his campaign:
Mayor-Elect Kasim Reed was raised in the Cascade community. He was educated in Fulton County’s public schools where he graduated from Utoy Springs Elementary School and Westwood High School (now Westlake High School) and went to Howard University, where he received his undergraduate and law degrees.
Though Mayor-Elect Reed was the youngest Democratic State Senator, he had a well-established track record of legislative excellence. He was first elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 1998 as State Representative for District 52. He was re-elected in 2000, winning seventy-seven percent (77%) of all votes cast. In the House, Mayor-Elect Reed served two terms as a member of the House Judiciary Committee, Education Committee and Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Committee.
Mayor-Elect Kasim Reed served as campaign manager for Mayor Shirley Franklin’s first and second campaigns. Following her election in November 2001, Mayor Franklin selected him to serve as one of two Co-Chairs for the Shirley Franklin Transition Team.
Mayor-Elect Reed’s civic leadership and service has been nationally recognized in publications such as The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Ebony and Black Enterprise. He was selected as one of Georgia Trend magazine’s “40 under 40 Rising Stars” in 2001, as one of the Fulton County Daily Report ’s “Lawyers on the Rise” and as one of “10 Outstanding Atlantans” in Outstanding Atlanta. Mayor-Elect Reed is a member of the Leadership Georgia Class of 2000 and is a Board Member of the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund.
Mayor-Elect Kasim Reed is a member of Cascade United Methodist Church, pastored by Reverend Marvin Moss.
Jan
4
Today Philadelphia gets its first ever African American District Attorney. From Philly 57:
A longtime assistant prosecutor has easily been elected Philadelphia’s first black district attorney.
Forty-two-year-old Seth Williams will be the city’s first new DA in nearly 20 years.
He will succeed longtime incumbent Lynne Abraham, who did not seek another term. She has served in the post since 1991.
In the May primary, Williams defeated four other Democrats to earn his party’s nomination. The little-known Untermeyer was unopposed.
According to his campaign:
Seth Williams grew up in a hard-working West Philadelphia neighborhood, the only child of Imelda Williams and the late Rufus O. Williams.
After graduating from Central High School in 1985, Seth attended Penn State University where he served as President of the Black Caucus and later as President of the Undergraduate Student Government, representing all 57,000 undergraduate students.
From Penn State, Seth was on to law school at Georgetown University, where he graduated with distinction as a Public Interest Law Scholar in 1992.
After graduation Seth’s dedication to public service brought him home to Philadelphia, where he joined the District Attorney’s Office.
In the ten years he served as an Assistant District Attorney, Seth was repeatedly promoted, including his appointment as the Assistant Chief of the Municipal Court, where he supervised the 30 newest prosecutors. He also created and led the Repeat Offenders Unit with the goal of reducing the high percentage of crimes committed by repeat offenders. His extensive trial experience includes 37 jury trials, more than 1,500 bench trials and more than 2,500 felony preliminary hearings.
In 2005, Seth challenged Lynn Abraham, Philadelphia’s longtime incumbent District Attorney, in the Democratic primary. While not victorious on Election Day, Seth won 46 percent of the vote and received endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5, the Transit Workers Union Local 234, District Council #47, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Tribune, thePhiladelphia Sunday Sun and the Westside Weekly.
Dec
20
Chicago Law Student Considers Congressional Run
Filed Under Congressional Black Caucus, Politics, The Profession • Leave a Comment
The soon to be 25 yr. old William Godwin has formed an exploratory committee to weigh a run for the 8th District of Mississippi. The former Hill staffer attended Georgetown University and the London School of Economics. Here’s a head-scratcher–he’s worked for both Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Democratic Illinois U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
From the Jackson Sun:
Godwin said his bipartisan background has shaped his appreciation of Tanner, saying that he admires the founding member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog coalition of congressional Democrats for often “trying to find a middle way.”
Godwin touted his knowledge of international issues. The statement announcing his interest in the 8th District seat says he once addressed aconference about the civil rights of Catholics in Northern Ireland and was an official state guest of the United Arab Emirates in 2007.
But don’t get any fancy ideas about his background:
“I’m not privileged. I’m not from a political background.” Godwin said. “… I have a knowledge and an understanding of the big domestic problems, especially the issues of education and health care that are challenging our country in big ways.”
Nov
5
Legal Practice Seminars For Law Students, Recent Grads
Filed Under Law School News, The Profession • Leave a Comment
Law students are no doubt discovering that it’s going to take more than an appointment with Career Services to secure a legal job in this economy. It’s going to take some hustle, moxie and probably a bit of entrepreneurial spirit. To help you along, Bizunesh Scott, Esq. has founded Advice & Counsel PLLC. From the company’s press release:
Advice & Counsel PLLC is excited to present the 2009 Diversity Roundtable Legal Practice Seminar Series, a program that gives back to the legal community by investing in our most precious resource, young lawyers and law students. The seminar series, the company’s first, aims to partner experienced practitioners with extensive knowledge in specific areas of the law with young lawyers and law students interested in those areas. The series is intended to fill the experience, practice area specific training, and mentoring void left between law school and legal practice due to current market conditions. Beginning on Friday, November, 6, 2009, the firm will host a series of weekly seminars addressing the state of certain practice areas, basic skill development and advice on immediate training opportunities, and job search strategies specific to certain practice areas. The practice areas that will be featured include tax/ERISA, corporate and securities, lobbying, labor & employment, litigation, and antitrust.
The series is only $10 a session. If you’re interested, register here. If you’re not yet convinced of the benefit, continue reading:
Ms. Scott is currently serving as Interim General Counsel of Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. under a representation agreement with Advice & Counsel PLLC. Advice & Counsel PLLC’s consulting services include serving as interim in-house counsel, auditing legal departments, performing independent investigations, and managing short-term and special projects, such as firm convergence programs, diversity programs, and law firm transitions.
Oct
26
Who Would You Add To The Root 100?
Filed Under The Profession • Leave a Comment
Last week TheRoot.com published it’s first ever The Root 100. According to its editors:
The Root 100 is a newly minted honor intended to celebrate the leadership, service and excellence of African-American men and women whose passion, dedication and innovative work have set them apart. The Root 100 is the manifestation of a core component of The Root’s mission—to bring to light people and ideas who are quietly having an impact on our lives and our communities.
Interestingly, a quarter of those named to The Root 100 are lawyers, who are either politicians, law professors, pundits, nonprofit heads, media executives or members of Team Obama. See the breakdown below then in the comments section, tell us who you would add to this list and why.
Team Obama
Melody Barnes
Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council
Hill Harper
Actor, Obama campaigner and now a member of the Obama for America National Finance Committee
Cassandra Butts
Deputy White House Counsel, Obama Administration
Derek Douglas
Special Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs
Tony West
Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division
The Politicians
Cory A. Booker
Mayor of Newark
Artur Davis
Congressman from Alabama’s 7
Adrian Fenty
Youngest mayor of Washington, DC
Harold Ford, Jr.
Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council
Kamala Harris
San Francisco District Attorney
Craig Watkins
District Attorney, Dallas County
Yelberton “Yebbie” Watkins
Chief of Staff to House Majority Whip, Rep. James Clyburn
The Non-Profiteers
Debo Adegbile
Director of Litigation, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund
Semhar Araia
Oxfam’s Horn of Africa Regional Policy Advisor, Founder, Diaspora African Women’s Network (DAWN)
Lateefah Simon
Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area
Maya Harris
VP, Peace and Social Justice Program, Ford Foundation
Richard Buery, Jr.
First black president and CEO of the Children’s Aid Society
The Professors
Kimberle Crenshaw
Professor at UCLA School of Law
James Forman Jr.
Professor of Law at Georgetown University
Angela J. Davis
Professor of Law, American University, Washington College of Law
The Media Executives
Matthew Johnson
Entertainment Lawyer, Partner, Ziffren Brittenham LLP
Alfred Liggins III
CEO Radio One
Deirdre Stanley
Executive VP and General Counsel of Thomson Reuters
Dean Garfield
President/CEO, Information Technology Industry Council
The Pundits
Carlos Watson
Founder and publisher, The Stimulist; MSNBC contributor
Elie Mystal
Editor, Above the Law
