Women's Bar Association of Illinois’ Post

Why a Lack of Black Representation in the Legal Industry Should Concern the Entire Profession | Law.com: In the latest Legal Speak episode, Marlon Hill from Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman discusses the potential for Black History Month to serve as a platform for learning and improving policies. He highlights the opportunity to reflect on ways to enhance and implement better practices.

Happy 50th anniversary to the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the federal agency that funds my former employer, Philadelphia Legal Assistance and civil legal aid agencies in every county in the United States! Pleased to see the Biden administration embracing legal aid. Given that we do not have an established judicially guaranteed individual right to legal representation in civil cases (the Civil Gideon – named for the Supreme Court case that enshrined the right to a lawyer in criminal cases – movement is trying to change this), that’s where LSC comes in to fill the gap. Thanks to LSC-funded agencies across the country, legal aid professionals have helped low-income folks in cases involving family law, consumer protection, housing, and of course, taxes, among other areas. Since 1981, LSC has faced some political opposition – with severe and still-reverberating defunding in the 1980s and significant funding restrictions since the 1990s. But in recent years, broad pushback, against yet another political threat to its existence in 2017, helped boost funding to its highest ever real dollar amount today. Nevertheless, there still is a significant shortfall as the vast majority of the legal needs of the poor are unmet. It is incumbent upon legal professionals to meet those needs so we can have a more just society.

Up next in my series of posts highlighting my partners attending the #NationalBarAssociation meetings is Brian P. Sylvester 🌟 Brian is a Chambers-ranked CPG + food industry lawyer providing business-centric regulatory counsel to a broad range of key stakeholders and emerging companies across the U.S. and globally. He is a leading authority on food tech regulation, in particular. Chambers USA reports that Brian “is widely noted as an expert in regulatory issues relating to novel food technologies, with significant experience advising on USDA and FDA regulations.” Don't miss the chance to connect with him and gain insights into FDA and USDA regulation. 🌟 🔍 **Why Meet Brian?** - Trusted advisor to global brands, startups, investors, and trade associations. - Recognized for his exceptional industry knowledge and responsiveness by Chambers USA - Honored by MCCA as a Rising Star (2024), and by the National Bar Association as a 40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocate (NBA) 💼 **Brian's Expertise:** - New Product Development - Food Tech - Advertising and Labeling - Crisis Management and Recalls - Prop 65 - Cannabis - Global Regulatory Reviews - Regulatory Diligence for Mergers & Acquisitions - Regulatory Permitting, Counseling, and Policy Matters Let’s discuss your FDA, USDA and CPSC regulatory needs and explore potential collaborations. See you in Las Vegas! #RegulatoryAdvice #FoodTech #FDA #USDA #FoodAndBeverage #LegalExperts #Networking

Please give this article a read as it is applicable generally to the importance of affinity groups for firm engagement and associate growth.

Check out my The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 digital certificate/badge issued by National Black Lawyers via Sertifier! #sertifier #digitalbadge #digitalcertificate #digitalcredentials #thenationalblacklawyerstop40

Check out my undefined digital certificate/badge issued by National Black Lawyers via Sertifier! #sertifier #digitalbadge #digitalcertificate #digitalcredentials #thenationalblacklawyerstop40

Check out my undefined digital certificate/badge issued by National Black Lawyers via Sertifier! #sertifier #digitalbadge #digitalcertificate #digitalcredentials #thenationalblacklawyerstop100

The Citing Slavery Project, led by Associate Professor Justin Simard at Michigan State University College of Law, is shedding light on the deep-seated connections between slavery law and present-day legal cases. The project, which has identified hundreds of thousands of instances where slave-era laws are used to support legal arguments, aims to end the practice of citing slave-era precedents in modern court cases. Simard's research reveals that the judicial system's legacy of slavery is still embedded in U.S. laws, and he believes that acknowledging this history is key to healing the nation. He and his students are presenting their findings to judges, lawyers, law librarians, and historians, hoping to raise awareness and prompt change. The project's outreach director, Torence Witherspoon, is a law student who has been surprised by the positive reception of their presentations. He believes that acknowledging the problem is the first step towards healing, and that the profession should more formally acknowledge the issue. What are your thoughts on the Citing Slavery Project and its potential to bring racial healing to the legal profession and judicial system? Do you think this is a step in the right direction? Read the full story by Renata Sago from Word In Black at dallasweekly.com #iamdw #blackpress #racialhealing #justicesimard #slaveryinlaw #legallegacy #citingslavery Word In Black

Proud to have participated in a thought-provoking discussion with the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) on the importance of estate planning for economic justice yesterday. We went beyond traditional wealth management, focusing on how estate planning can be a game-changer for underrepresented and disenfranchised communities. The NBLSA students truly impressed me with their insightful questions. Their passion was palpable, fueling a dynamic conversation. #estateplanning #marylandestateplanning #floridaestateplanning #marylandestateplanningattorney #floridaestateplanningattorney #marylandprobateattorney #floridaprobatelawyer #probateplanning #estateplanningattorney #legalprofession #dayinalifeofalawyer #lawyerdiaries #diaryofalawyer #lawyerlife #lawyerlifestyle #NBLSA57 #JuneteenthCelebration #EconomicJustice #lawstudents #lawstudentslife

As a #blackownedbusiness & law firm, we understand the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal field. Learn more about our efforts & black inspirations in our newest blog post: https://lnkd.in/erHRa766 ⚖️ #law #lawfirm #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth