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Beyond Inflection: A Men of Color Town Hall

The ABA Young Lawyers Division Men of Color Project is collaborating with the National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and Thomson Reuters Institute to organize a Men of Color Town Hall to address current issues on racial injustice and police brutality in America. 

We recognize that the problem of racial injustice and police brutality has a disproportionate impact on communities of color–and more precisely, men of color–nationwide. 

The program will feature prominent stakeholders in the movement towards racial equality and police reform. Working together, we look to create broader awareness of these vital social issues through candid, open and honest conversation around developing true steps toward change. Our intent is to move the needle from awareness to accountability and action. 

Moderator

  • Jerome Crawford, Senior Corporate Counsel, MAHLE Industries

Panelists

  • Garlin Gilchrist II, Lieutenant Governor, State of Michigan
  • Paul Henderson, Executive Director, Department of Police Accountability, City and Country of San Francisco
  • S. Lee Merritt, Founding Principal, The Merritt Law Firm

Liberty and Justice…For All?

On the heels of recent tragedies, including the murder of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, among countless others, our nation is experiencing unprecedented civil unrest. Protesters across the world have united to demand meaningful change, calling for an end to systemic racism, police brutality against communities of color, and encouraging anti-racism. These protests remind us that Black Lives Matter and that although justice and fairness for all is a fundamental cornerstone of our nation, it is unfortunately not a reality for everyone.

In support of equality, change, and justice, the ABA YLD is launching a robust five-part program series, This series kicked off with a fireside chat titled, “Liberty and Justice…For All? Confronting Systemic Racism and Addressing Civil Unrest – A Call to Action for Young Lawyers.”

We will evaluate the state of our nation (and world) and evaluate how we arrived at this impasse. The program will further address the impact of these tragedies, systemic racism, and civil unrest on communities of color. As young lawyers it is our critical responsibility to advance social justice in America, and will address where we go from here.

Vulnerability as a Leadership Strength to Thrive during Tumultuous Times

The ABA Young Lawyers Division’s Men of Color Project is joining Thomson Reuters for a webinar titled “Vulnerability as a Leadership Strength to Thrive during Tumultuous Times” during the YLD Virtual Spring Conference.

People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Part of the recipe for stability and maintaining productivity during uncertain times is connection—leader to lawyer, peer to peer, attorney to client. At a time when most employers leverage virtual “check-ins” to maintain employee connectivity, leadership styles are being put to the test. This presentation explores an effective and often overlooked leadership technique with significant, real-world implications: embracing vulnerability as a strength.

Moderator

  • Michael Nguyen, National Co-Director for the ABA Young Lawyers Division Men of Color Project 

Panelists

  • Donovan Bonner, Attorney, Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP
  • L.J. Chavis,  2L Law Student, Southern University
  • Adriannette Williams, Attorney & Coach, Netteworking Consulting, LLC

The 2019 Men of Color Summit

May 4, 2019
Howard University School of Law
Washington, DC

The Men of Color Summit brought together leaders in the legal profession, law students, and those beginning their careers for networking, conversation, and connecting on issues of importance. 

Featured Speakers

  • Bakari Sellers: CNN Political Analyst and Attorney with the Strom Law Firm, LLC in Columbia, SC
  • Preston Mitchum, JD, LL.M: Division Chair | Washington Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Associate Editor to The Sphinx | Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Board of Directors | Collective Action for Safe Spaces (CASS)

Welcome

  • Dave L. Morrow II – Project Director, Men of Color Project (MoCP), Los Angeles, CA
  • Tommy D. Preston – Chair, 2018-2019 ABA Young Lawyers Division (YLD), Charleston, SC
  • Bob Carlson, President, American Bar Association (2019)
  • Lisa Crooms-Robinson, Associate Dean, Howard University – School of Law, Washington, DC
  • Preston Mitchum – Senior Legal & International Policy Analyst, Advocates for Youth and Chair, 2018-2019 Washington Bar Association’s YLD, Washington, DC

Plenary

  • Robert Grey Jr., President of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Richmond, VA.

Sponsorship & Mentoring: How to Build Your Team

  • Apoorva Patel, Senior Associate, WilmerHale, Washington DC
  • Julius Redd, Associate, Beveridge & Diamond, Washington, DC
  • Tomas Garcia, Associate, Modrall Sperling, Albuquerque, NM
  • Victor Flores, Assistant City Attorney at City of Plano, President-Elect of the Young Lawyers Division of Texas Bar Association, Dallas, TX
  • Moderator: Jerome Crawford, Associate General Counsel, Horizon Global, Troy MI

Vision Development & Execution: Go From Dreaming It To Living It

  • Nick Austin, Senior Counsel, Enterprise Services Division, Wells Fargo and president-elect of the National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Charlotte, NC
  • Hunter Cox, Associate, Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker LLP, Washington DC 
  • Colemon Potts, Associate, Detroit Legal Group, Detroit, MI
  • Fabian Ruiz, Associate, FordHarrsion LLP, Miami, FL
  • Moderator: Michael Nguyen, Deputy District Attorney, Alameda County, San Francisco, CA

Keynote

  • Bakari Sellers, CNN Political Analyst and Attorney with the Strom Law Firm, LLC, Columbia, SC

Closing

  • Jerome Crawford, Associate General Counsel, Horizon Global, Troy, MI
  • Michael Nguyen, Deputy District Attorney, Alameda County, San Francisco, CA