Several student groups, in coordination with Elon Law's career development, alumni and admissions offices, have organized programs from Feb. 20-25 to showcase the impact and importance of diversity in the legal profession.
Diversity Week 2017 takes place at Elon Law this month with panels and talks that are free and open to the public (unless otherwise noted).
The American Bar Association Center for Racial and Ethnic Diversity and the ABA Young Lawyers Division honored Elon Law’s inaugural Diversity Week programming three years ago when it finished first in their Next Steps Diversity Challenge.
MONDAY, February 20
“Breaking Barriers: How Attorneys can be Culturally Competent across Demographic and Disciplines in the Legal Profession”
Hosted by SALSA
Room 105
12:40-1:20 p.m.
Do you want to learn how to be more culturally aware of the needs of your clients while working in an internship/externship/or even in your own practice? Our panelists will discuss how law students and attorneys can be culturally competent when working with clients who are military veterans, noncitizen clients, those who identify with the LGBTQIA community, and those varied geographically and socioeconomically within the area of criminal law. Lunch will be provided.
Panelists:
- The Hon. Robert Rideout: Judge Robert Rideout is chair of the NCBA’s Military & Veterans’ Law Section and is also a judge in Raleigh, North Carolina, with the Office of Disability Adjudication & Review.
- Gary Liao: Professor Gary Liao is an associate attorney at the Humanitarian Immigration Law Clinic at Elon Law. He has extensive experience working with immigrant communities from all over the world and also has experience working with noncitizens who identify as LGBTQIA.
- ShaKeta Berrie: Shaketa Berrie L’16 is a recent Elon Law graduate, a past member of SALSA and BLSA, and today works as a public defender at the Guilford County Public Defender’s Office.
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TUESDAY, February 21
“Mass Incarceration Panel: Conviction to Post Release”
Hosted by the National Lawyers Guild
Room 105
5:30-7:30 p.m.
The panel will take an in-depth look at the topic of mass incarceration, discussing topics such as the state of solitary confinement for prisoners in North Carolina and the North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services’ efforts to reduce life sentences for juvenile offenders, as well as possible solutions to this important human rights issue.
Panelists:
- Ben Finholt: North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services
- Michele Leucking Sunman: North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services
- Eric Fink: Professor, Elon Law
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THURSDAY, February 23
“Mixture of Class: The Juggle of Law School and a Family”
Hosted by the Women Lawyers Association
Room 207
12:30-1:30 p.m.
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FRIDAY, February 24
“Expanding the Fight for Equality: The LGBTQ Community and Housing Discrimination”
Room 207
Hosted by OUTLAW
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Registration Required: $85 (CLE Student Fee $25)
*Includes Continential Breakfast and Lunch
4 CLE credits
Please join us for this program on the legal fight to eliminate housing discrimination against the LGBTQ community.
Panelists:
- Elena Sanchez-Curtis, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
- Shannon Minter, Legal Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights
- Beth Littrell, Senior Attorney, Lambda Legal, Southern Regional Office
- Milan Pham, Attorney, Nicholson Pham Law Firm
- Jack Holtzman, Co-Director, Fair Housing Project, Legal Aid of NC
- Rodney Tucker, Executive Director, Time Out Youth Charlotte
AND
“Pioneering in the Legal Profession: The Road to Brown”
Presented by Professor George Johnson (Elon Law Dean 2008-2014)
Hosted by the Black Law Students Association
Room 207
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The subject matter and venue for Professor George Johnson’s presentation emphasize the legacy of pioneering African-American attorneys and their contribution to the community and nation at large. There will be a brief reception that follows the presentation for attendees and contributors. This program will facilitate the continued development of an inclusive culture within the Elon Law and Greensboro communities.
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SATURDAY, February 25
Elon Law: Pipeline to the Legal Profession
Co-sponsored by the SBA Diversity Committee, LSAC, Elon Law’s Office of Career & Student Development, and Elon Law’s Office of Admissions
Room 105
9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
RSVP Required. Register here.