Group sets out to effect change within Atlanta’s legal community
Atlanta (April 8, 2004) – The Atlanta Legal Diversity Consortium, Inc. announces its 3rd Annual Diversity in the Legal Profession Symposium to be held on the campus of Emory University School of Law on Saturday, April 17 from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The Symposium will address “pipeline”, or recruitment and retention issues, for law schools and legal employers in the wake of the recent University of Michigan decisions. Hiring partners, managers, diversity officials, and other interested groups from Atlanta’s legal community are all invited to attend. Admission is free.
The Symposium will feature a panel of leading diversity proponents and law school and law firm members discussing how to “fill the pipeline” of minorities and women entering the legal profession:
Veta Richardson is the Executive Director for the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, which advocates for the expanded hiring, retention, and promotion of minority attorneys in corporate law departments and the law firms that serve them. The MCCA’s research, The Myth of the Meritocracy: A Report On the Bridges and Barriers to Success in Large Law Firms, examines how credentials and experience may not be an indicator of success in the law firm environment.
Charlotte H. Johnson is the Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Michigan Law School. Dean Johnson has had significant responsibilities, as an administrator, in connection with the lawsuit challenging the University of Michigan Law School’s admission policy, serving on both the defense and communications teams.
Teresa Roseborough is a partner at Sutherland, Asbill and Brennan, LLP. Recently, Teresa served as a presenter on a panel on race and affirmative action at the Constitution Under Clinton Program at Duke University. She has been a guest on CNN’s Burden of Proof, Larry King Live, Fox News and MSNBC as an expert on questions of constitutional law.
Andy Patterson is a partner in the oldest minority-owned firm in Atlanta, Thomas, Kennedy, Sampson & Patterson, and a former member of the State Bar of Georgia, Board of Bar Examiners.
“Addressing pipeline concerns is key in this on-going struggle for diversity within the legal community. We have to identify real solutions to attracting and retaining talented minority and women attorneys, “ said Tom Wardell, President, Atlanta Legal Diversity Consortium and panel moderator.
The 3rd Annual Diversity in the Legal Profession Symposium is the first program of 2004 of the newly formed Atlanta Legal Diversity Consortium, Inc. An outgrowth of the 2nd annual event, the Atlanta Legal Diversity Consortium enters the City of Atlanta’s legal community scene determined to improve diversity among its government, law firm, law school and corporate legal department members. After several months of organizing, identifying goals and objectives, and electing officers, the group is now promoting the Symposium as one its marquee events for the year. It also plans to launch a website that will house a “Master Calendar” of all diversity-related events and programs being promoted by Georgia bar associations and similar organizations.
“The Consortium will be the wind beneath the wings of numerous groups and individuals with the similar objective of increasing diversity in the legal profession,” says Board member, Sheryl McCalla.
The Atlanta Legal Diversity Consortium, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation comprised of Atlanta legal community members dedicated to raising the City of Atlanta’s profile as a metropolis of legal “employers of choice” by enhancing diversity within the city’s legal circles. For more information on programs and membership, please contact Executive Director, Naomi K. McLaurin at 404-527-4175 or Nmclaurin1@aol.com
