Attorneys of Color

126 ABA Journal Attorneys of Color articles.

For minority law students, learning the law can be intellectually violent

It pales in comparison to the structural and physical violence that people experience outside the ivory tower, but it is also unforgiving, can feel unrelenting and often goes unnamed.

Oct 15, 2020 11:23 AM CDT

NAPABA president Bonnie Lee Wolf’s efforts against anti-Asian discrimination draw support of ABA, other groups

“Now is a time to stand with the African American community against what has been going on for decades, centuries, to show unity and solidarity from the Asian American community,” Wolf says. “What’s encouraging is that it seems like people are listening, and we can be part of that driving force to see real action and real change.”

Oct 1, 2020 12:15 AM CDT

First Black Oregon Supreme Court justice blazes a trail for lawyers—and students

On a hot day in June 2019, Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne Nelson stood up and made a promise to her community. “This is going to be a place where students know they are enough, and they can build from that and grow from that,” she said.

Sep 30, 2020 2:21 PM CDT

Wells Fargo alleges ‘gamesmanship’ by lawyer who sued after manager reportedly called him N-word

A lawyer who sued Wells Fargo after a branch manager allegedly called him the N-word is engaging in “obvious gamesmanship” by trying to characterize an isolated incident as racial discrimination by the corporate entity, according to a Wells Fargo court filing.

Sep 24, 2020 12:41 PM CDT

How Black female prosecutors are challenging the status quo and fighting for reform

Black female prosecutors—a small cadre of top district attorneys across the country—have faced more scrutiny and second-guessing than their white or male counterparts. They’ve also been subjected to racist and violent threats and sexist attacks.

Sep 10, 2020 12:22 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Justice Ginsburg officiates wedding; more women and minorities join GC ranks

Justice Ginsburg officiates wedding

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg officiated at an outdoor wedding Sunday, about a month and a half after revealing that she was receiving…

Sep 2, 2020 4:27 PM CDT

Commission learns of ‘heartbreaking’ diagnosis after investigating reports of judge’s erratic behavior

A New York judge has agreed to retire after a commission investigating reports of her erratic behavior learned that she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Aug 13, 2020 1:19 PM CDT

Incoming president-elect calls on lessons learned from Detroit riot in speech to House of Delegates

Reginald Turner has spent the past few months comparing the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, calls for police reform and resulting unrest to the anxiety he experienced during the 1967 Detroit riot, he told the House of Delegates on Tuesday.

Aug 4, 2020 2:10 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: AG Barr defends Portland response; protesters call Black district attorney a racist

Attorney General Barr defends sending federal agents to Portland

Testifying before Congress on Tuesday, U.S. Attorney General William Barr denied that he was giving special breaks to President Donald Trump’s…

Jul 28, 2020 4:44 PM CDT

Self-awareness, mentors and family propel former C student to Harvard Law acceptance

Rehan Staton has always done things differently. “People say I take notes differently, I learn differently. People say in general I have a peculiar way of doing things, but it always worked for me,” Staton, 24, says.

Jul 20, 2020 10:14 AM CDT

Philly courts have ‘culture of nepotism, mistrust and racial tension,’ report says

Philadelphia courts have a "culture of nepotism, mistrust and racial tension" that hampers opportunities for employees of color, according to a report leaked last week to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Jul 14, 2020 11:55 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: 2 BigLaw firms have no Black partners; judge finishes backlog of civil case motions

These BigLaw firms have no Black partners

Two of the country’s top law firms stand out for the wrong reason—they have no Black partners. The firms are Cravath, Swaine &…

Jul 8, 2020 4:49 PM CDT

Majority of minority female lawyers consider leaving law; ABA study explains why

Seventy percent of female minority lawyers report leaving or considering leaving the legal profession, according to an ABA report on the challenges that they face.

Jun 22, 2020 4:19 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: State chief justices on racial inequality; court worker fired for tearing down signs in video

State high courts, chief justices issue racial injustice statements

A growing number of state chief justices are issuing public statements following the death of George Floyd. Many of the…

Jun 18, 2020 4:33 PM CDT

State chief justice urges courts to ‘provide equal justice for all’ and join ‘a battle for the nation’s soul’

The first black Connecticut Supreme Court chief justice sent a letter to employees of the state’s judicial system Tuesday, urging them to “double and even triple our efforts to provide equal justice for all those that we serve.”

Jun 11, 2020 10:48 AM CDT

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