Harvard Law School Center on the Legal Profession’s Post

Professor Brewer asserts "This Article implores the legal profession, given its potential to significantly disrupt the pipeline to the legal profession, to intervene in promoting accountability in remediating implicit bias and discrimination in school discipline decisions that disproportionately hinder Black girls' educational outcomes. The lack of accountability for disparate school discipline policies has resulted in little progress in decreasing the school-to-prison pipeline for Black girls. As a result, failures to eradicate implicit bias and discrimination in educational systems threaten the pipeline of future Black women law students, lawyers, and judges. This Article argues that if the bias in current school discipline policies toward Black girls is left unabated, then inevitably, society will be deprived of their gifts, clients will be deprived of their expertise and perspective, and law school communities will be deprived of their contributions and thought leadership. Most critically, Black girls themselves will be deprived of fulfilling their passions and purposes in life."

Today marks the 70th Anniversary of the landmark legal Supreme Court ruling of Brown v Board of Education. Even though decades have passed, racial disparity in education remains an issue, which coupled with the advance of technology, deepens the urgency to solve the problem for the following generations. Read this excerpt below and more from my article published today in The PuLSE Institute, discussing the significance of Brown's decision and its impact for the future. "A rather unique attribute of Brown is also its collection of Brilliant Black minds, top notch legal thinkers and researchers, united around a common cause for the betterment of humanity. This fact, coupled with the central argument of the case, demonstrates that the best investment still is and always will be in human intelligence, of which education plays a central role from the earliest, most formative years. Brown also stands the test of time as a reminder that challenges, no matter how big, must be faced head on, even when the popular standard is against you." https://lnkd.in/e_HcnVX6

My latest research, published in the Alberta Law Review, explores the law school intentions of Black undergraduate students in the Edmonton Area. The study analyzes key factors influencing their choice of law school, particularly with regard to the University of Alberta Faculty of Law. The key finding is that we are not the law school of choice for Black students in the immediate area we serve. The findings suggest a need for further engagement to address under-representation of Black students in legal education. l am proud of this research for two reasons. First, it was conducted as part of an event I hosted with Ellen Doty, which gave Black undergraduate students the opportunity to connect with Black lawyers and learn about the law program at the University of Alberta. Second, while this study is outside of my usual research program, it was essential to conduct it in order to provide a voice to Black students. It addresses unfounded assumptions being made about why so few Black students are enrolled in our law program. The paper is open access. Direct link to read or download: https://lnkd.in/en6fcXEx #LawSchool #DiversityInLaw #BlackStudentsInLaw #AlbertaLawReview

On this week’s episode of Aspen Leading Edge with Patty Roberts, Lolita Buckner Inniss, JD, LLM, PhD, Dean of the University of Colorado Law School, shares her journey to becoming the 17th dean – the second woman and first Black dean. The discussion covered her leadership in the women in legal education section of AALS, the encouraging rise in female law students, and the new Introduction to Law course for undergraduates at the University of Colorado Boulder. https://bit.ly/3AfcQpn

Academic engagement in Human Rights discourse : Reflecting on Ibuka's dialogue with the Black Law Student Association 📝🌍 It was an intellectually enriching occasion as the Ibuka association recently welcomed a delegation of 9 students from the Black Law Student Association of the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. The focus of their visit was a scholarly examination of comparative Human and Civil Rights frameworks, particularly within the historical contexts of racial and ethnic discrimination in Rwanda and the United States. 🔎 Delving into the complexities of legal and historical precedents, our discussions aimed to illuminate the parallels and disparities between these frameworks, offering invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities for addressing systemic injustices. This academic exchange underscored the importance of nuanced analysis and interdisciplinary collaboration in navigating the intricate terrain of human rights advocacy. 💬 Throughout our dialogue, we shared Ibuka's multifaceted role in promoting peacebuilding initiatives and providing holistic support to Genocide survivors. Our discourse also highlighted the association's advocacy endeavors, emphasizing the imperative of legal frameworks in advancing justice and reconciliation. 🤝 Academic engagements such as these serve as catalysts for deeper understanding and critical reflection, fostering a collective commitment to advancing human rights principles globally. We express our gratitude to the Black Law Student Association for their scholarly engagement and commend their dedication to advancing social justice through legal discourse. 🙏 As we continue to navigate the complexities of human rights challenges, let us remain steadfast in our pursuit of truth, accountability, and collective healing. Together, through rigorous academic inquiry and collaborative action, we can strive towards a more just and equitable world. #HumanRights #AcademicEngagement #SocialJustice #LegalDiscourse

SMU Dedman School of Law it is time to consider courses for Fall 2024. Race & Intellectual Property is back in the offerings. This course is engaging and interesting and will change how you understand, apply, and interpret the law. This course does not require any prior knowledge of intellectual property law, as all necessary information will be provided through class discussions and assigned readings. The curriculum delves into the intricate relationship between race and intellectual property, examining case law, principles, and policy from a comprehensive standpoint. Students will explore constitutional law principles, delve into statutory histories, and interpret legal texts, considering the impact of this intersection on socioeconomic status, wealth, education, and broader intellectual property law and policy implications. By employing a critical race theory lens in the study of intellectual property, the course encourages students to critically evaluate how racial and other disparities are embedded within the law, policy, and practices of intellectual property. I will see you guys in the fall. SMU Black Law Students Association Southern Methodist University

🌟 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

Volume 102, Issue 1 Article Preview: Stories of those Untold: Identifying and Overcoming Obstacles of Black Women Pursuing Legal Education by Dr. Courtney A. Griffin In today’s modern, higher education system, problems still arise. Racial and gender gaps expand every year, and Black women face the brunt of these biases. In this article, Dr. Courtney A. Griffin presents and analyzes research that uncovers the struggles Black women face from a young age onward in the educational system. Focusing on Black women in pursuit of a legal degree, Dr. Griffin offers institutional plans that universities can use to help these women overcome the many obstacles they may face in their legal education, and move forward to pursue successful law careers. Dr. Courtney A. Griffin serves as an Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) at Detroit Mercy Law. Since 2022, Dr. Griffin has been planning and executing Detroit Mercy Law’s DEIB goals. She previously worked as the Interim Director for the Arnold Mitchem Fellowship at DePaul University to help prepare underrepresented students for graduate school and careers in research. She also served as a Learning Engineer at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, where she created and operated online courses for Executive Education. Dr. Griffin holds a B.A. from Michigan State University, an M.A. from Depaul University, a M.Ed. from Saint Joseph’s University, and a Ph.D. from DePaul University. #law #lawreview #lawjournal #lawcurriculum #legal #detroitmercy #detroitmercylaw #volume102

Last weekend our members Nebeela Ahmed (Sophomore Representative) and Klonese A. Williams Williams (Secretary) attended the National Black Pre-Law Conference held in New York City. The conference included tours of New York law schools such as Columbia Law School, Fordham Law School, St. John’s School of Law, and New York Law School. In addition, a mock law school class taught by Kerrel Murray at Columbia Law School. The conference contained a law school fair featuring over 90 law schools and various partners. There were numerous notable guest speakers like the 86th National Bar Association President Wiley S. James Esq., Representative Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), and Representative Gabe Amo (RI-1). Tanya Washington Esq., L.L.M, Professor George State College of Law gave an impactful presentation on the barriers Black individuals in the United States faced on their journey to the legal realm. Chenelle Smith, Esq. Assistant Attorney General for the State of Alabama, motivated students to be persistent despite obstacles that will come in their way. The numerous speakers and panelists provided GWUBLSA with immense insight and gratitude to take back to DC. The conference was an incredible opportunity for GW UBLSA to connect with brilliant, Black legal minds and can hopefully be expanded in the future. In the words of Charles Hamilton Houston, “A Black lawyer is either a parasite on society or a social engineer.” The National Black Pre-Law Conference proved that GW UBLSA can be apart of producing social engineers by disseminating resources and support.