Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 12
FEATURE
At this moment
it is important
to lean into what's possible
under the law.
DARIELY RODRIGUEZ
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights
Under Law
tracked, " says Shelley Smith, partner and chief DEI officer at Archer and
Greiner, P.C., in Vorhees, New Jersey.
" What the opponents of affirmative action are trying to do is use that
case law to get at diversity efforts in private employment, even though
the two things are analyzed under different legal provisions, " Smith says.
" At this point, the case law is pretty clear that [for] private employers, if
you have a history of discrimination or underrepresentation in your own
organization, you can act to try to correct it. "
Even so, it appears that " corporate America is at an inflection point, " says
White. The risk now of being sued for diversity initiatives is real, and companies
need to assess their DEI programs carefully in light of today's dynamic
and changing legal and regulatory landscape, he adds.
Organization leaders also need to identify where they could be vulnerable
to challenges, not just in court but also from enforcement actions,
audits or reviews, shareholder demands, and even congressional investigations.
" What
has changed is there is now a spotlight on programs, more attention
being paid. The risk calculus is different, and there are more legal
challenges happening, " says Dariely Rodriguez, deputy chief counsel for
the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in Washington, D.C.
The Lawyers' Committee has started a pro bono program to help nonprofits
and other organizations avoid legal minefields and still meet their
diversity goals. " At this moment it is important to lean into what's possible
under the law. There is still a need for programs to address our persistent,
systemic discrimination against Black people and all people of
color, " Rodriguez says.
William Roberts is a frequent contributor to Washington Lawyer.
Locally sponsored by:
Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP | Kirkland & Ellis LLP | Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP | Thompson Coburn LLP
12 WASHINGTON LAWYER
* MARCH/APRIL 2024
Lawyers' Committee
http://LawyersHaveHeartDC.org
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024
Notice to Members
From Our President
Calendar of Events
Practice Management
Toward Well-Being
Defending Diversity: Rise of DEI-Focused Practices
Will Law Firms Stay the Course on Improving Diversity?
Unlocking the Potential of Diverse Talent
We Belong: Black Students in the IP Talent Pipeline
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor: Her Legacy Lives on Through Us
Get to Know The Appellate Project
Speaking Up for Lawyers With Invisible Disability
Special Section: 25 Years of the Youth Law Fair
Taking the Stand
Worth Reading
Member Spotlight
On Further Review
Attorney Briefs
Speaking of Ethics
Disciplinary Summaries
The Pro Bono Effect
A Slice of Wry
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Cover1
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Cover2
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 1
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 2
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 3
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 4
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Notice to Members
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - From Our President
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Calendar of Events
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Practice Management
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Toward Well-Being
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Defending Diversity: Rise of DEI-Focused Practices
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 11
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 12
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 13
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Will Law Firms Stay the Course on Improving Diversity?
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 15
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 16
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 17
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Unlocking the Potential of Diverse Talent
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 19
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - We Belong: Black Students in the IP Talent Pipeline
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 21
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 22
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 23
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Justice Sandra Day O’Connor: Her Legacy Lives on Through Us
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 25
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Get to Know The Appellate Project
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 27
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Speaking Up for Lawyers With Invisible Disability
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 29
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 30
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 31
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Special Section: 25 Years of the Youth Law Fair
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 33
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Taking the Stand
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 35
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 36
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Worth Reading
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Member Spotlight
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 39
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - On Further Review
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Attorney Briefs
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Speaking of Ethics
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 43
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Disciplinary Summaries
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 45
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - The Pro Bono Effect
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - 47
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - A Slice of Wry
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Cover3
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2024 - Cover4
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