June 2012 Diversity Leadership Council Newsletter

By John E. Thies

A message from John E. Thies, who will serve as ISBA President during the 2012-13 term.

By William T. Eveland

As we strive to create a more inclusive profession, we need to be mindful that we cannot always see diversity.

By Annemarie E. Kill

The ISBA’s Diversity Leadership Fellows program just completed its second full year and has been making strides in increasing diversity in the ISBA’s section councils and committees.

By Tiffany W. Shimada

Now celebrating over 10 years of success, JIOP was established in response to a study released in February 2000, which reported that only 15 percent of all judicial clerkships are held by minorities—despite the fact that minorities make up 30 percent of the nation’s population and 20 percent of the law student population.

By Charlotte Friar

This year Street Law, Inc., celebrated 40 years of providing accessible, engaging, and interactive programs to empower students and communities to become active, legally-savvy contributors to society. 

On May 9, 2012, ABC News’ Robin Roberts interviewed President Obama and during that interview he stated for the first time that he now supports same-sex marriage. Below is a small portion of that history-making interview and his thoughts on equal rights and related legal issues.

By Andrew Fox

The ISBA/JTBF Law & Leadership Institute is a statewide initiative to assist students from minority, ethnic, and other groups who are currently underrepresented in the legal professions achieve academic success and aspire to a career in the law.

In recognition of her long-standing, continuing and exceptional commitment to the critical importance of diversity within the Illinois legal community, its judiciary and the Illinois State Bar Association, E. Lynn Grayson is the 2012 winner of the ISBA Diversity Leadership Award.