Reimagining DEI: Finding New Pathways in the Wake of the Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Decision

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Reimagining DEI: Finding New Pathways in the Wake of the Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Decision

Co-hosted by the Philadelphia Bar Association Office of Diversity and the Barristers Association of Philadelphia

Program originally presented Thursday, August 31, 2023

Though organizations and law firms may be considering whether the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action, specifically race-conscious admissions in colleges and universities, directly impacts U.S. workplaces, there’s no question that corporate and legal America need to consider the effect this — and potential future judicial rulings and state legislation — will have on their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices.  At a minimum, any changes we see in student body composition at institutions of higher education and law schools will also affect hiring pipelines. There is much more at stake than diversity recruitment, however, many DEI thought leaders, DEI professionals, and HR and firm management anticipate additional ripple effects. DEI critics have already begun to challenge the validity, legality, and necessity of such efforts. The attorney generals of 13 Republican-led states have also sent a letter to the CEOs of Fortune 100 companies, warning that labels of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” are now “unlawful and wrong,” per SCOTUS. And a Republic Senator sent a letter to national law firms warning of race-based consideration in DEI hiring policies and initiatives, stating the practices are “…unpopular and unlawful;” concluding with a threat of “investigations and litigation” if DEI programs are maintained.

Join the Philadelphia Bar Association Office of Diversity and the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia to discuss the Supreme Court’s decision to effectively end race-conscious admissions in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Students For Fair Admissions v. UNC. This virtual CLE panel will examine the holding and address concerns regarding its application in employment hiring practices, future recruiting efforts and existing DEI programs and initiatives. This program will explore why organization and firms can — and should — recommit to DEI in the wake of the SCOTUS decision and offer creative tools to maintain and continue to foster a diversity, equity and inclusion culture.
 

This timely CLE program examines the holding in the recent affirmative action SCOTUS decision and explores why organizations and firms should recommit to DEI and reimagine ways to foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture.

Introduction:
Kristin J. Johnson, Esq.
Department of Labor - Office of the Solicitor
President-Elect, Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia (2023-2024)

Moderators:
Danielle Banks, Esq.
Partner, Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
Diversity Chair, Philadelphia Bar Association Board of Governors

Sozi Pedro Tulante, Esq.
Former City Solicitor 
Law Department, City of Philadelphia

Panelists:
Virginia G. Essandoh, J.D.
Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
Ballard Spahr LLP

Lloyd Freeman, Esq.
Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC

Professor Cara McClellan
Founding Director and Practice Associate Professor of Law
Advocacy for Racial and Civil (ARC) Justice Clinic
Frmr. Assistant Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc.
 

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