Diversity Matters

The newsletter of the ISBA’s Diversity Leadership Council

2021 Articles

Building a Diverse Bar Community Together, Not Siloed By Jaz Park November 2021 A summary of some of the ISBA's Steering Committee on Racial Inequality's recent initiatives.
1 comment (Most recent November 17, 2021)
The CROWN Act By Janelle A. Dixon November 2021 California became the first state to ban natural hair discrimination through the CROWN Act and, since being signd into law in 2019, 14 states, including Illinois, have passed similar laws.
Diversity Leadership Award November 2021 The Diversity Leadership Award recognizes long-standing, continuing, and exceptional commitment by an individual or an organization to the critical importance of diversity within the Illinois legal community, its judiciary, and within the Illinois State Bar Association.
Editor’s Note By Sandra Blake November 2021 An introduction to the issue from the editor.
Employing Individuals With Disabilities: Viewpoints Based on the Experiences of Two Disabled Attorneys By Brandy Johnson & Patti Chang November 2021 Two ISBA members with disabilities reflect on their experiences in the workplace.
It’s a Sign of the Times By Sandra Blake November 2021 Hopeful signs that indicate society's attitudes are moving toward more acceptance and inclusion.
A New Rule of Evidence: The Effect of Immigration Status in Illinois Civil Proceedings By Patrick M. Kinnally November 2021 The Illinois General Assembly has enacted 735 ILCS 5/18-2901, a new rule under which evidence related to a person’s immigration status is not admissible in any civil proceeding with certain exceptions.
Overview of the New Title IX Regulations By Lindsay A. Hatzis November 2021 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulations prohibit federally funded educational institutions from engaging in sex discrimination in their education programs and activities.
‘A Perilous Path: Talking Race, Inequality, and the Law’ By Cindy G. Buys November 2021 A review of the book 'A Perilous Path: Talking Race, Inequality, and the Law.'
Reflections on the Legacy of Ida Platt and Diversity and Inclusion By Khara Coleman November 2021 Reflections on diversity and inclusion.
Sex, Gender, and Identity: Using Intentional Language to Foster a More Inclusive Legal Field By Ryan R. Lee November 2021 All members of the legal profession should strive to make the field as inclusive and affirming as possible. A working knowledge of the importance of proper pronoun use and gender neutral language can become two invaluable tools in a practitioner’s briefcase.
Standing Committee on Women and the Law Year(s) in Review: 2019-20 and 2020-21 By Cindy G. Buys November 2021 An overview of the Standing Committee on Women in the Law's accomplishments from the past couple years.
Title VII Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity By Lindsay A. Hatzis November 2021 On June 15, 2020, in a 6-3 opinion, the United States Supreme Court put an end to controversy by holding that Title VII prohibits discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity.