Race, Education, and the Law After SFFA v. Harvard:

In February 2025, the Trump U.S. Department of Education issued a Dear Colleague Letter responding to the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. The guidance seeks to clarify the boundaries of permissible action under the decision —emphasizing what schools cannot do and offering limited pathways for institutions to support DEI efforts.

This webinar, hosted by the ABA Council for Diversity in the Educational Pipeline, critically examines the Letter’s implications, limitations, and the legal uncertainty it introduces for educational institutions seeking to preserve equity-focused programs.

May 15, 2025 1PM ET - Register

In this session, legal educators and practitioners discuss how they are navigating the current moment—adjusting admissions, pipeline initiatives, and DEI programs in response to both the Court’s decision and the Department’s cautious guidance. Panelists will share institutional strategies, compliance concerns, and the real-world stakes of rolling back race-conscious practices.

Featured Panelists:

• Justin Cruz, Associate Dean of Admission and Diversity Initiatives, Chapman University Fowler School of Law
• Ryan Nelson, Professor of Law, South Texas College of Law Houston; Board Member, National LGBT Bar Association

Moderated by:

• Frances-Marie Prizzia, Criminal Defense Attorney, The Law Office of Frances Prizzia