Diversity Programming
Diversity and Inclusion Programs 2019-2020
| September 9-13, 2019 | Pre-Orientation Program: Five day initiative designed to strengthen the academic, professional, and interpersonal skills of incoming 1L students. Program curricula and competencies are delivered in modules and are completed by professional development and social activities. |
| September, 19, 2019 | Inclusive Leadership Workshop: Students participated in a session facilitated by Michelle Silverthorn, Founder and CEO of Inclusion Nation on the topics of lawyers as leaders, why diversity matters, and diversity & implicit bias in the academic and legal profession. |
| September 20, 2019 | Hearing One Another: Students participated in the Hearing One Another workshop, a set of activities that introduced students to the skilled practice of communicating across differences and understanding one another. These workshops were facilitated by the Dean of Students leadership team and Law School faculty. |
| September 21, 2019 | Engage Chicago Day of Service: Students visited and provided service to 12 community organizations. Prior to the day of service, students were welcomed by the Office of Civic Engagement and received an overview of community service by Executive Director, Shaz Rasul. |
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October |
Bridges: The First-Person Writing Project Information Session: Student-led initiative intended to give selected students an opportunity to reflect on their unique 1L experiences with depth and nuance—and share those insights with the wider community and prospective students. Supported by the Office of the Dean of Students and the Communications Office, students will take part in an intimate roundtable series with like-minded peers where they will share their stories, develop a creative writing skillset, and produce narratives for the Law School website. |
| October 14, 2019 | Diversity Leadership Network Kickoff: Cross-organizational advocacy group composed of executive board leaders from 9 affinity student organizations at the Law School. This group convenes monthly with the Director of Diversity and Inclusion to discuss a wide range of topics including student climate, faculty engagement, community engagement and workshops/events. |
| October 17, 2019 | Lunch Talk - Sophonisba Breckinridge’s Academic & Activist Legacy: Professor Anya Jabour shares her research on the Law School’s first women graduate who spearheaded campaigns for women’s suffrage, civil rights, and labor reform before establishing and shaping the School of Social Administration (SSA). This event is co-sponsored by Law Women’s Caucus (LWC). |
| October 17, 2019 | First Generation Professionals Mixer: Pre-Wine Mess mixer with first generation faculty, staff and students. This event is co-sponsored by First Generation Professionals (FGP). |
| October 24, 2019 | UChicago Law Library Cafe' D'Angelo Guest Barista: Meet and Greet event in collaboration with the UChicago Law Library where students received cold brew coffee and got to discuss diversity and inclusion current events with the director. |
| November 6, 2019 | Trans Awareness 101 Lunch Talk: Guest speaker Vanessa Sheridan is a US military veteran, an accomplished musician, and a catalyst for transgender equality on a national basis. She is a frequent media spokesperson on transgender issues while serving as the Director of Gender Equity and Inclusion for Chicago's Center on Halsted. |
| November 12, 2019 | Breakfast with ABA President, Judy Perry Martinez: Judy Perry Martinez of Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn in New Orleans is president of the American Bar Association, the largest voluntary association of attorneys and legal professionals in the world. During this event, Judy addressed members of the Law Women's Caucus. This breakfast was co-sponsored by Law Women's Caucus. |
| November 20, 2019 | Women in Boots Panel Discussion: Women veterans speak about their military experiences and post-service careers. This event is co-sponsored by Law School Veterans (LSV). |
| January 3, 2020 |
Journal Affinity Group Reception: Members of Law Review, Chicago Journal of International Law, and Legal Forum hosted a reception during which current members of color discussed the process of applying for a journal position. |
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January |
Adam Mortara and Bryan Sells: A Debate on Voting Rights: A member of the American Constitution Society, Bryan L. Sells is an experienced civil rights lawyer specializing in voting rights, election law, and redistricting. Law School alum and lecturer Adam Mortara is a member of the Federalist Society and partner at Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott LLP. This event was a part of our Diversity Scholars Series. |
| January 9, 2020 |
A Conversation with Judge Andrea Wood Judge Andrea Wood from the Northern District of Illinois spoke about her career and time on the bench. This event was co-sponsored by the Black Law Students Association and the American Constitution Society. |
| January 16, 2020 | Diversity in Business with Cubs' Legal: Shameeka Quallo and Brett Scharback, in-house Staff Attorney and General Counsel of the Chicago Cubs, will discuss supporting diversity and inclusion in corporate environments. Sponsored by Law Women's Caucus, Black Law Students Association, Entertainment & Sports Law Society, and Law & Business Society. |
| January 16, 2020 | Diversity Month Wine Mess: The first Wine Mess of the year is designed to celebrate and showcase the diversity of the Law School students, faculty and staff. |
| January 17, 2020 | AUSA's Nicole Kim and Grayson Walker: Asian Pacific American Law Students Association hosts a session to learn more about working as an Assistant United States Attorney with Nicole Kim and Grayson Walker. |
| January 23, 2020 | Northern District of Illinois Judge John Lee: John Z. Lee is a United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Based in Chicago, the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is among the largest and busiest district courts in the federal court system. Sponsored by the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association. |
| January 23, 2020 | A Conversation with Valerie Jarrett: Valerie Jarrett, distinguished Senior Fellow at the Law School speaks on gender equity in the workplace and issues around paid family leave. This event was a part of our Diversity Scholars Series. |
| January 28, 2020 | University MLK Commemoration The University of Chicago honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reflected on our collective responsibility to work towards a more equitable society. Keynote speakers: Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr. and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III. Law School Clinical Professor Herschella Conyers was honored with this year's Faculty Diversity Leadership Award which recognizes faculty who demonstrate leadership and a sustained commitment to justice and equality. |
| January 29, 2020 | Tribal Law in Theory and Practice: The Native American Law Students Association hosts a discussion of Tribal Law and its role in the greater American legal system. Tribal Law has important implications for civil and criminal jurisdiction in large swaths of the country and provides an alternative lens of analysis |
| January 29, 2020 | Title VII Panel: OutLaw presents an informative panel discussion on whether the scope of Title VII sex discrimination includes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. |
| January 29, 2020 | UChicago Law Impact Dinner: The Diversity Committee for the Law Students Association hosted an inaugural, school-wide initiative to give back to the South Side Community. The Kick-Off Dinner included South Side catering, conversations, and relationship building with South Side leaders, artistic performances and speakers. |
| January 30, 2020 | A Conversation with Justice Neville of the Illinois Supreme Court: The Black Law Students Association hosted Justice P. Scott Neville for a discussion on serving on the Illinois Supreme Court and advice for current law students on increasing diversity within the judiciary. |
| January 30, 2020 | Faith & the Practice of Law: The St. Thomas More Society, the Muslim Law Students Association, the Dallin Oaks Society, the Jewish Law Students Association, and the Christian Legal Society host a discussion with legal practitioners from a variety of faiths to share how they bring their religious identities into the workplace successfully. Professor William Hubbard, moderator. |
| January 30, 2020 | Law Women's Caucus Honors Chief Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer: Rebecca R. Pallmeyer, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois was honored at a dinner hosted by the Law Women's Caucus in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment. |
| January 31, 2020 | Behind the Page: Police Encounters from the Black Perspective: Behind the Page will allow black and brown poets to share their experiences with police to help law students understand the complexity, emotional intensity, and social relevance of police encounters. Hosted by Law Students for the Creative Arts and the Black Law Students Association. |
| February 4, 2020 |
Rabbi Siegel and Pastor Lee: Advocating from Faith: The Black Law Students Association and the Jewish Law Students Association present, Advocating from Faith: How a Pastor and a Rabbi Work Together to Combat Hate. Rabbi Michael Siegel, Senior Rabbi of Anshe Emet Synagogue, and Pastor Rob Lee will speak on working across difference to advocate against oppression and inequality. This event was a part of our Diversity Scholars Series. |
| February 21, 2020 | Career Advice for Students with Disabilities: Andrew Webb, Staff Attorney at Equip for Equality, and Azeema Akram, Administrative Law Judge at the Illinois Commerce Commission, discuss navigating disability-specific workplace issues. The attorneys will speak about their careers, challenges they’ve faced, and strategies and resources that have helped them along the way. This event was sponsored by the student organization Disability Rights, Advocacy, & Community and The Dean of Students Office Diversity Grant. |
| February 24, 2020 | Third Annual Judge James B. Parsons Legacy Dinner: This annual dinner honors the life and legacy of University of Chicago Law School alum Judge James Benton Parsons, the first African American appointed as a life-tenured federal district court judge in the United States. Sponsored by the Black Law Students Association. |
| February 27, 2020 | Black History Month Wine Mess: In honor of Black History Month, BLSA hosted a Wine Mess that featured a special tasting from black-owned wine companies to encourage students to explore and support black-owned businesses. |