Aspen Publishing’s Post

Highly recommend this engaging talk by legal historian Dylan C. Penningroth (Before the Movement: The Hidden History of Black Civil Rights) to both my law friends and my history friends! Law friends, it's a great insight into what (really good) historians actually do and how casebook editing colors how the law is taught and learned. History friends, this is an awesome use of legal sources and a well-executed challenge to the narrative of Black history as only the history of race relations and the freedom struggle. #law #history #legalhistory #blackhistory #civilrights

Join me on July 1 to talk about the importance of DEI Programs and what the future of DEI looks like!

What factors influence Black undergraduate students' decisions to apply to law school? 🎓⚖️ University of Alberta, Faculty of Law Professor and Associate Dean Research Ubaka Ogbogu’s research note investigates the motivations and barriers faced by Black students in the Edmonton area. The study reveals key considerations, such as law school reputation, proximity, and inclusive environments, that shape their choices. The findings aim to inform efforts to address the significant under-representation of Black students in law programs and enhance engagement with prospective students. Read “Edmonton Area Black Undergraduate Students’ Intentions and Views Regarding Applying to Law School” here: https://lnkd.in/g8Q5QKpa

Join me in two weeks in Dallas in my home state of Texas for the Southwest Region of the National Black Law Students Association ("SWBLSA") Pre-Law Symposium on Friday, January 24th, and Saturday, January 25th, 2025. The theme is "Defy, Disrupt, Deliver: Black Students and Bold Futures." We will screen my short documentary film "Becoming Black Lawyers," and show clips of Jay Gerren M.F.A's "Bar Daddy: The Al Jenkins Story" for which I served as a proud producer. The films will be followed by a fireside chat to discuss why these projects are important - particularly for Black pre-law students and the takeaways that students can apply in their own journeys to become lawyers. I will even share a little about my current projects including my upcoming documentary films tentatively titled "Becoming Black Lawyers II" on HBCU law schools and the HBCU law student experience and "Being Black Lawyers" on the experiences of Black lawyers. We will also talk about the impact of the overturning of race-conscious affirmative action and aspiring Black lawyers. Can't wait to dive into stimulating conversation about what's happening, the current climate, and actionable strategies and solutions for our community as we try to move forward in the current legal and political landscape. See you there! #blackprelaw #nblsaprelaw #nblsa #becomingblacklawyers #aspiringblacklawyers #futureblacklawyers #blacklawstudents #prelaw

🌟 Honoring Juneteenth: A Reflection for Future Legal Professionals 📚 As we commemorate Juneteenth, we recognize and reflect on its profound significance to pre-law students and law students alike. Juneteenth symbolizes the long-awaited emancipation of enslaved individuals in the United States, marking a pivotal moment in our nation's history and the ongoing journey toward justice and equality. For aspiring legal professionals, Juneteenth serves as a poignant reminder of the systemic injustices that have shaped our legal landscape, inspiring a commitment to advocate for equality, equity, and fairness within our legal systems. It emboldens us to delve into the complexities of race, rights, and social justice, fostering a deeper understanding of the role of law in addressing historical inequities and shaping a more just society. Today, we honor the resilience, strength, and contributions of Black Americans, while also acknowledging the work that lies ahead in dismantling barriers to equity and justice. As future lawyers, advocates, and policymakers, let’s all stand together in our dedication to upholding the principles of freedom, equality, and justice for all. May this Juneteenth be a time of recognition, restoration, celebration, and renewed commitment to advancing justice within the legal profession and beyond. #LEAPfellows #LEAPAlums #LawSchoolPrep #LawSchoolJourney #FutureLawyer #LegalEducation #PreLaw #LSATPrep #LegalCareer #LawStudentCommunity #LawSchoolBound #FutureLawyers

Proud to have participated in a thought-provoking discussion with the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) on the importance of estate planning for economic justice yesterday. We went beyond traditional wealth management, focusing on how estate planning can be a game-changer for underrepresented and disenfranchised communities. The NBLSA students truly impressed me with their insightful questions. Their passion was palpable, fueling a dynamic conversation. #estateplanning #marylandestateplanning #floridaestateplanning #marylandestateplanningattorney #floridaestateplanningattorney #marylandprobateattorney #floridaprobatelawyer #probateplanning #estateplanningattorney #legalprofession #dayinalifeofalawyer #lawyerdiaries #diaryofalawyer #lawyerlife #lawyerlifestyle #NBLSA57 #JuneteenthCelebration #EconomicJustice #lawstudents #lawstudentslife

Missouri ex rel. Gaines v. Canada (1938) In the landmark case Missouri ex rel. Gaines v. Canada (1938), Lloyd Gaines, an African American student, challenged Missouri's refusal to admit him to its all-white law school, arguing that the state’s provision of a separate but unequal law school for Black students violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Gaines's favor, holding that Missouri had to either admit him to the University of Missouri Law School or create a comparable institution for Black students. This case was a pivotal moment in the fight against segregation, highlighting the inadequacies of the "separate but equal" doctrine and setting a precedent for future civil rights litigation. Following the Court’s decision, Missouri established a separate law school for African Americans, Lincoln University School of Law, but it remained inferior to the University of Missouri's facilities. Lloyd Gaines, however, never attended the law school, as he disappeared under mysterious circumstances, and his ultimate fate remains unknown. The case was a significant precursor to the broader civil rights movement and set the stage for future legal challenges to racial segregation, ultimately influencing landmark decisions like *Brown v. Board of Education* and contributing to the ongoing struggle for educational and civil rights equality. #LloydGaines #MissouriExRelGainesvCanada #CivilRights #SupremeCourt #LegalHistory #EducationalEquality #14thAmendment #RacialSegregation #SeparateButEqual #LegalPrecedent #CivilRightsMovement #EqualProtection #Justice #RacialDiscrimination #HigherEducation #JimCrow #CivilRightsCase #LandmarkDecision #GainesCase #LawSchool #LegalChallenge #EducationalJustice #BlackHistory #HistoricalCase #CourtRuling #EqualOpportunity #LincolnUniversityLaw #JusticeForGaines #SocialChange #LegalImpact #HistoricCase #CivilRightsEra #AmericanHistory #FightForEquality #EducationalReform #LegalRights #SegregationCase #CourtDecision #CivilRightsLegacy #BlackStudents #HistoricalImpact #PrecedentSetting #LawAndEquality #CivilRightsLegislation #EducationEquality #JusticeServed

🇺🇸 | Harvard Law School Steps Back in Time According to figures released last month, there are a grand total of 19 Black students in the first-year class at Harvard Law School, down from 43 in last year's entering class. It is a major step backward for a school that has produced some of the leading Black lawyers in America, a step backward that dramatically affects not only Black students, but the quality of education for all students at HLS. https://lnkd.in/gc__HSR8

In honor of Women’s History Month, Brooks Pierce is spotlighting women attorneys and senior staff at the firm. They will continue the conversation about women’s history and achievements this month by providing advice and insight about being a woman in the legal profession. Elizabeth Troutman, partner at Brooks Pierce, shares her greatest personal accomplishment: "My practice is in the field of education law – supporting educational organizations to do a better job teaching children each year as the world continues to change and new classes of children enter kindergarten. All of that is to say that there is no prize, no moment of accomplishment, in that kind of work. My greatest personal accomplishment is probably the day that I accepted that fact. Every day that I get up and do the best I can to support those organizations is a good day. That is the role of a lawyer – helping others accomplish what they are trying to accomplish in a lawful way. They are our clients’ accomplishments, not our own." Learn more on our website: https://lnkd.in/eZxV7ndu

✨ One of the most powerful and beautiful aspects of the National Black Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair is the way we pour into aspiring Black lawyers—not just with words, but with purpose, empowerment, and connection. 💡 This event is about more than preparing for law school; it’s about shifting mindsets, transforming perspectives, and building a legacy. Every ounce of effort, planning, and investment in this conference isn’t just for attendees to take and move on. It’s a call to action—a charge to each participant to pay it forward, to uplift others, and to make a meaningful impact in their communities. 🌟 Our voices, experiences, and presence carry power. And when we share them, we create ripples that inspire change. At this year’s 20th Anniversary Celebration, we were honored to witness Romario R. Ricketts, a proud 2019 conference alumnus and current law student at Penn State Dickinson Law, embrace this mission fully. He understood the assignment. 🎤🔥 Listen in as Romario R. Ricketts delivers a heartfelt and insightful BLACK PRE-LAW TALK to inspire the next generation of Black lawyers. This is what legacy-building looks like in action! 💪🏾⚖️ #BlackPreLaw #FutureBlackLawyers #NBPLConference20 #MindsetShift #LegacyInAction