Diversity Events and Announcements

The Diversity Committee is interested in highlighting diversity achievements and achievements of diverse people and businesses in Louisiana. If you have an accomplishment that you would like to share or a recommendation of a person or business who should be highlighted, please email Kelly Legier.

Latest News and Announcements

Women With Disabilities Web Cast Series Feb. - Aug, 2013
Magee-Womens Hospital and the UPMC Disabilities Resource Center will be hosting the Women with Disabilities Web Cast Series. The purpose of this series is to promote sensitivity and awareness toward issues that women with disabilities face in dealing with the health care system; and to educate providers, women with disabilities, caregivers, and advocacy groups of available services and resources.
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I THEE WED: The Constitutional Implications of Hollingsworth v. Perry and United States v. Windsor
Using the latest data from the 2010 US Census and other sources, this program will explore what we know about same-sex couples and families in Louisiana and in the United States. The roundtable discussion will address the ramifications of the United States Supreme Court's anticipated rulings in Hollingsworth v. Perry (challenging California's constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriages) and United States v. Windsor (concerning the federal Defense of Marriage Act and entitlement of same-sex married couples to federal benefits). Attendees will have the opportunity in an open forum format to voice their thoughts, ask questions, and engage in a lively discussion on these important subjects. Leading the roundtable will be Professor Todd Brower, Judicial Education Director at the Williams Institute at UCLA Law School, the leading national think tank conducting independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy. Joining Professor Brower from the Williams Institute will be legal scholars: Dr. Gary Gates and Brad Sears. You can register for the program here:http://www.lsba.org/2007cle/seminardetail.asp?CLEID=453.

LSBA Institute of Inclusion Roundtable Discussion CLE -- UNMASKING THE TRUTH ABOUT DEPRESSION; Feb. 21st
The LSBA Institute of Inclusion will presented a professionalism CLE, titled "UNMASKING THE TRUTH ABOUT DEPRESSION: Breaking Stigma, Being Each Other’s Keepers, Restoring the Profession," on February 21, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Louisiana Bar Center (601 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA). J.E. “BUDDY” STOCKWELL, III (Executive Director, Lawyers Assistance Program, Inc.) provided general facts/statistics about depression in the legal profession. He facilitated an interactive discussion regarding the impact of depression on a lawyer’s practice and on the members of the firm/office; signs and behaviors that can alert family, friends, and co-workers that a lawyer is struggling with depression; what policies can be implemented to keep attorneys from falling to the point of no return; and what we can do to safeguard ourselves from depression. The program was approved for 1.5 CLE hours.

Martinet Hosts Clark/Chisom v. Roemer—Then & Now CLE on February 27th
The Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Inc. celebrates the investiture of the first African-American Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court. In preparation for this historic and auspicious event, Martinet will host a CLE to discuss the road traveled to get to this moment in history. The CLE is entitled: Clark/Chisom v. Roemer—Then & Now on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the courtroom of Loyola alum, the Honorable Ivan R. Lemelle, United States District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana, C501. Panelists--Chief Judge Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux, Ernest Johnson, Judge Sylvia Cooks, Ronald Wilson, Robert McDuff, James Williams, Clarence Roby, Tracie Washington, former Mayor, Marc Morial, and moderators Atoyia Scott and Kim Boyle--will discuss the historical background of the Clark & Chisom cases, the strategies employed, their implications & current relevance. The program has been approved for 2.5 CLE Credit Hours. To register, click on the following link: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=cmmoqdlab&oeidk=a07e71c0t4y081b7492.

SETTING THE BAR: LSBA Pre-Law Conference; Mar. 2nd
The LSBA Diversity Committee and the Tulane and Loyola Black Law Student Associations hosted for about 42 college students from around the State a two day SETTING THE BAR: Louisiana State Bar Association Pre-Law Conference on February 16th and March 2nd. This workshop enlightened college students on the law school admissions process and provided helpful tips to effectively navigate that process and tackle the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).
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Institute of Inclusion in the Legal Profession Hosting a "Measure of Success" Diversity Survey; Deadline to Respond is March 15, 2013
Institute of Inclusion in the Legal Profession (IILP) is hosting a "Measure of Success" diversity survey. In order to answer questions about the legal profession's diversity and inclusion goals, IILP is inviting everyone in the profession - lawyers, judges, law students, legal administrators, diversity professionals, bar association staff, law school faculty and administrators, etc. - to participate in the "Measure of Success" study. Please participate and, because it is important that EVERYONE's opinions are included, please encourage friends and colleagues - even those who may not typically be involved in diversity efforts - to participate as well.

Responses to the study are due by March 15, 2013. All responses are anonymous and completely confidential.
Access the study by clicking on this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/H9Z9TMR.

SUPERWOMEN…Female Attorneys CLE in Shreveport; April 2, 2013
The LSBA, in partnership with local and specialty bar associations, hosted a female attorneys CLE on April 2, 2013, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The co-hosts included the Women’s Section of the Shreveport Bar Association and the Louisiana Association of Black Women Attorneys. This seminar addressed the unique challenges women face in the legal profession. A networking reception followed the program and attendees received free chances for a drawing to win several door prizes, including spa treatments and gift certificates to area businesses.

"Suit Up for the Future" High School Summer Legal Institute and Internship Program
The Louisiana State Bar Association and the Just the Beginning Foundation is presenting for the third year a "Suit Up for the Future" High School Summer Legal Institute and Internship Program. This program is available to rising high school juniors and seniors who are interested in the legal profession. Students will participate in a three-week legal institute and internship from June 10, 2013 to June 28, 2013, at the Louisiana Bar Center (601 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA) as well as participating New Orleans area firms. The program consists of one week of lecture with law school professors, practicing lawyers, and law students as well as several days of shadowing with attorneys and judges in local law firms. Students also will have the opportunity to meet attorneys and judges during field trips to New Orleans area courts and other legal venues and during lunchtime lectures and panel discussions. The program will culminate in oral arguments by the student participants to actual federal and/or state judges.

Applications have already been accepted and this year's class will consist of 28 students.

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SUPERWOMEN…Female Attorneys CLE in New Orleans; May 2, 2013
The LSBA, in partnership with local and specialty bar associations, hosted a female attorneys CLE on May 2, 2013, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The co-hosts include the New Orleans Chapter of the Association for Women Attorneys, the Louisiana Association of Black Women Attorneys, and the New Orleans Bar Association Women's Committee. This seminar addressed the unique challenges women face in the legal profession. A networking reception with complimentary hand and neck massages followed the program and attendees had the opportunity to participate in a drawing to win several door prizes, including spa treatments and gift certificates to area businesses.

LSBA Diversity Conclave Breakout Session -- Specialized Professionalism Facilitator Training Workshop; May 22nd

The LSBA Institute of Inclusion will present a Specialized Professionalism Facilitator Training Workshop for CLE credit on May 22, 2013, at the Red Cross Board Room (2640 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cathy Harris (C. Harris Companies, Inc.) and Theodore A. Quant (Director, Twomey Center for Peace through Justice, Loyola University New Orleans) will deliver a full-day workshop, "Train the LSBA Diversity Facilitator." To register, please go to http://www.lsba.org/2007cle/seminardetail.asp?CLEID=447.

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Suit Up For The Future High School Summer Legal Institute and Internship Program; June 10-28
The Louisiana State Bar Association and the Just the Beginning Foundation will present for the third year a "Suit Up for the Future" High School Summer Legal Institute and Internship Program. This program is available to rising high school juniors and seniors who are interested in the legal profession. Students will participate in a three-week legal institute and internship from June 10, 2013 to June 28, 2013, at the Louisiana Bar Center (601 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA) as well as participating New Orleans area firms. The program consists of one week of lecture with law school professors, practicing lawyers, and law students as well as several days of shadowing with attorneys and judges in local law firms. Students also will have the opportunity to meet attorneys and judges during field trips to New Orleans area courts and other legal venues and during lunchtime lectures and panel discussions. The program will culminate in oral arguments by the student participants to actual federal and/or state judges.

Application and all supporting documents must be postmarked by April 15, 2013 and sent to: Louisiana State Bar Association, Attn: Diversity Committee, 601 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130. All decisions will be mailed by May 1, 2013.
Do you know rising high school juniors and seniors who are interested in the legal profession and have nothing to do for the summer?

Encourage them to consider spending three weeks with the louisiana state bar association!!!
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National Bar Association 88th Annual Convention in 2013
Save the date for the National Bar Association's 2013 88th Annual Convention. It is scheduled from July 27, 2013 to Thursday, August 01, 2013, at the Fountainebleau Miami Hotel in Miami, Florida. Stay tuned for more information at http://www.nationalbar.org/meetings_and_events.