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☆ Consovoy McCarthy: This small, conservative law firm is landing big wins at the Supreme Court
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( John Fritze | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Created a decade ago by two former law school classmates who gave up their jobs at larger practices, the lawyers at Consovoy McCarthy have argued 11 appeals at the Supreme Court in that time – including a landmark case last year that ended affirmative action in college admissions. Bryan Weir, in his debut appearance at the Supreme Court, will argue the clock starts on the statute of limitations when a plaintiff – in this case, the truck stop – is affected. But perhaps the most notable recent issue Consovoy McCarthy brought before the Supreme Court consisted of two appeals challenging the consideration of race in admissions at Harvard and the University of North Carolina. Longtime anti-affirmative action advocate Edward Blum hired Consovoy McCarthy to argue that they violated the equal protection clause included in the 14th Amendment. The firm also has an appeal pending at the Supreme Court challenging a so-called bias response team at Virginia Tech.

Persons: Consovoy McCarthy, Donald Trump’s, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Clarence Thomas, Bryan Weir, Biden, “, Thomas McCarthy, Weir, McCarthy, ”, Joe Biden’s, Supporters, Edward Blum, Blum, David Lat, Trump, Lat Organizations: CNN, Supreme, US, Appeals, Trump, Harvard, University of North, Longtime, Virginia Tech Locations: North Dakota, University of North Carolina, Idaho

☆ Appeals court will rehear challenge to Nasdaq board diversity rule, putting mandate at risk
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A federal appeals court agreed to rehear a challenge by two conservative groups to Nasdaq's board diversity rule related to the disclosure of women and minority membership on boards of companies listed on the stock exchange. The 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, in its order Monday night setting a rehearing, also vacated a decision in October upholding the Nasdaq rule by a three-judge panel from the appeals court, which encompasses Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The Nasdaq rule requires companies to disclose details about the diversity of their boards of directors, and to either have a minimum number of women and minorities on their boards or explain why they do not. "NASDAQ's rule promotes racial discrimination and polarizing personal disclosures and it is to be hoped that this rule is struck down," Blum said. The SEC and Nasdaq did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the rehearing order.

Persons: Edward Blum, " Blum, Margaret Little Organizations: Times, NASDAQ, 5th Circuit U.S, of Appeals, Nasdaq, Securities, Exchange, Alliance for Fair, National Center for Public Policy Research, Fifth Circuit, SEC Locations: New York City, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi

Others are calling for larger foundations to help grantees if they are sued or are offering legal assistance themselves. The Council on Foundations, which supports philanthropic foundations and provides legal resources to its members to help them consider potential legal risks, submitted an amicus brief in the case supporting the Fearless Fund's First Amendment argument. “If you’re committed to DEI or race-conscious or race-based giving, you should not back down on your priorities. We’re funding homelessness or employment or the wealth gap,” she said as examples of changes in wording funders have made. The Black Freedom Fund, which was founded in 2021 to fund Black community organizations in California, has started a legal defense fund for its grantees for precisely that reason.

Persons: aren't, Fearless, Edward Blum, Blum, —, Searle, Sarah Scaife, Kathleen Enright, you’re, ”, John Palfrey, John D, Catherine T, Claudine Gay, Christopher Rufo, Bill Ackman, Gay, MacArthur, “, Mae Hong, Carmen Rojas, Marguerite Casey, Rojas, can’t, ” Rojas, Marc Philpart, ” Philpart, Hong, they’re, ” Hong Organizations: —, American Alliance for Equal Rights, Fair, Searle Freedom Trust, Sarah Scaife Foundation, Fidelity Investments, Donors Trust, National Philanthropic Trust, Foundations, MacArthur Foundation, Harvard University, Manhattan Institute, Harvard, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Blacks, Marguerite Casey Foundation, Freedom Fund, “, Lilly Endowment Inc, AP Locations: Black, California

☆ Supreme Court Won’t Block Use of Race in West Point Admissions for Now
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Abbie Vansickle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Supreme Court declined on Friday to temporarily block race-conscious admissions at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, clearing the way for the school to continue considering race as a factor in selecting the class that will enroll in the fall. The court’s order rejected a request for emergency relief from Students for Fair Admissions, a conservative group that has repeatedly challenged the consideration of race in higher education, as a lawsuit moves forward. It had asked the justices to act swiftly because West Point was poised to stop accepting applications on Wednesday. The founder of Students for Fair Admissions, Edward Blum, cast the court’s decision as a setback. “It is disappointing that the young men and women who apply to West Point for the foreseeable future will have their race used as a factor to admit or reject them,” he said in a statement.

Persons: Edward Blum, ” Organizations: U.S . Military Academy, West, Fair

Judge Kevin Newsom, a Trump appointee, pushed back against the Fearless Fund's argument that the grants are protected by the First Amendment because they are charitable donations. He asked the Fearless Fund's attorneys whether the same protection would apply to a contest open only to white applicants. “I think that's a pretty simple yes or no,” Newsom said, interrupting when the attorney for the Fearless Fund, Jason Schwartz, started to reply. They’re saying, no, we want all the pie,” Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney who is also representing the Fearless Fund Fund, said a news conference following the hearing. But since the lawsuit was filed, the Fearless Fund has had trouble securing new investment, said co-founder Arian Simone.

Persons: Donald Trump, Barack Obama —, Fearless, Kevin Newsom, Edward Blum, ” Newsom, Jason Schwartz, Schwartz, ” Schwartz, ” Ben Crump, ”, Morgan Chase, Arian Simone, “, ” Simone, Newsom, ______ Olson Organizations: MIAMI, American Alliance for Equal Rights, Trump, American Alliance, Black, Bank of America, Mastercard, “ Locations: U.S, Black, Miami, America, “, New York

☆ As diversity, equity and inclusion comes under legal attack, companies quietly alter their programs
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

But others have targeted decades-old diversity programs that anti-affirmative action advocates have long tried to dismantle. said Danner-Okotie, who received $10,000 from a separate Fearless Fund grant. The Fearless Fund, Danner-Okotie said, grasped her mission of designing clothes for American women looking to celebrate their African heritage. The outcome of the case could be a bellwether for similar diversity programs. But some have made changes to diversity programs to try to protect them from legal scrutiny.

Persons: Sophia Danner, Okotie's, Fearless, Claudine Gay, Harvard Universitys, Erin Clark, Christopher Rufo, Harvard's, Rufo, George Floyd's, Danner, Okotie, Edward Blum, Morrison Foerster, Perkins Coie, Reagan, Dan Lennington, Lennington Organizations: Harvard, Harvard University, Boston Globe, Twitter, Black, Latina, American Alliance for Equal Rights, Disney, Pfizer, Comcast, Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, Wisconsin Institute, U.S . Department, Business Enterprise Locations: America, Atlanta, India, Nigeria

The conservative majority Supreme Court's ruling came in response to lawsuits by the same group now suing over West Point's policies in federal court in White Plains, New York. The group, Students for Fair Admissions, was founded by affirmative action opponent Edward Blum. The Supreme Court's ruling invalidating race-conscious admissions policies used by Harvard University and the University of North Carolina did not address race in admissions at military academies, which Chief Justice John Roberts said had "potentially distinct interests." Although Black people make up 20.2% of the Army's active duty enlisted personnel, only 11% are officers, the Justice Department said. White people by contrast constitute 51.7% of the Army active duty enlisted corps and 68% of its officers, the Justice Department said.

Persons: Eduardo Munoz, Biden, Edward Blum, SFFA, Blum, Philip Halpern, Donald Trump, John Roberts, West, Nate Raymond, Gerry Doyle Organizations: United States Military Academy, REUTERS, Wednesday, U.S . Military Academy, West, U.S . Department of Justice, U.S, Fair, Constitution's, Department, Army, Republican, U.S . Naval Academy, Harvard University, University of North, Justice Department, Thomson Locations: West Point , New York, U.S, U.S ., West, White Plains , New York, University of North Carolina, Boston

☆ Black entrepreneurs, business leaders say conservative legal challenges could hinder progress
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Nicquel Terry Ellis Cnn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Trigg-Jones said she applied for funding from grant groups, venture capital funds and investors, but most of them denied her. Late last month, a federal appeals court granted the Alliance’s motion to temporarily block the Fearless Fund from awarding grants exclusively to Black women entrepreneurs. Black business leaders told CNN the lawsuits, if successful, could stand to undo decades of progress toward leveling the playing field for Black and brown people in the workplace and small business sector. According to a 2019 report from American Express, Black women are the fastest growing demographic of entrepreneurs in the country. Black business owners are turned down for loans at a rate three times higher than White business owners, according to a 2020 analysis of small businesses by Goldman Sachs.

Persons: Cathleen Trigg, Jones, –, you’re, ” Trigg, Edward Blum, Blum, Fearless, ” Blum, “, Goldman Sachs, Arian Simone, ”, AAER “, Rashae Barnes, Barnes, ” Barnes, Kaycea Campbell, ” Campbell, Lenwood Long, —, Long, CNN’s Jaide Timm, Garcia, Isabel Rosales, Tami Luhby Organizations: CNN, Trigg, American Alliance for Equal Rights, Civil, American Express, “, Evals Equity, Pierce College Los Angeles, Federal, Consumer Finances, African American Alliance of Community Development Financial, Black Locations: New York, PitchBook, White

Circuit Court of Appeals rejected lawsuits seeking to block the rule last week, saying constitutional claims do not apply to Nasdaq, which is a private entity. The Alliance for Fair Board Recruitment, one of the groups that sued, is now requesting the full 5th Circuit to review that ruling. The 5th Circuit said in its Oct. 18 ruling that while the government regulates Nasdaq, it does not control the exchange. The case is Alliance For Fair Board Recruitment v. SEC, 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No.

Persons: Edward Blum, Jody Godoy, Aurora Ellis Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, U.S, Circuit, Nasdaq, Fair, Harvard University, University of North, Republican, Democratic Biden, Democratic, Companies, Thomson Locations: University of North Carolina, New York

The Nasdaq logo is displayed at the Nasdaq Market site in Times Square in New York City, U.S., December 3, 2021. The SEC acted within its authority in approving the rule, and was allowed to consider the opinions of investors who said board diversity information was important to their investment decisions, the court said. "This evidence is sufficient to support the SEC's determination that regardless of whether investors think that board diversity is good or bad for companies, disclosure of information about board diversity would inform how investors behave in the market," the panel wrote. They said the rule is not a quota but a disclosure requirement that provides standardized information on board diversity. Circuit Court of Appeals, No.

Persons: Edward Blum, Blum, Biden, Jody Godoy, Mark Porter, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Nasdaq, REUTERS, Circuit, National Center for Public Policy Research, Alliance for Fair, SEC, Harvard University, University of North, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Companies, Republican, Democratic, Fair, U.S, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, New Orleans, University of North Carolina, New York

☆ Analysis: The affirmative action battle shifts to a new front
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( John Blake | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The lawsuits against the US Navy and West Point suggest that opponents of affirmative action are serious about eliminating any policy of diversity based on race. It’s not surprising that the US Armed Forces have drawn criticism from affirmative action foes. As the country heads into the presidential election year, more lawsuits invoking the Voting Rights Act are expected to follow. Many Black workers historically used auto jobs to build careers, but advancement opportunities have diminished since the early aughts. “But the decline in US auto jobs and the erosion of unions have hit Black workers hardest,” he wrote.

Persons: CNN —, “, ” SFFA, It’s, Henry C, Harris , Jr, Rogers H, Beardon, Frank Frederick Doughton, Elmer B, Edward Blum, Blum, Alabama’s, —, Blum —, Holder, Shelby, you’ve, CNN’s Nathaniel Meyersohn, Evelyn Hockstein, Reuters Meyersohn, ”, John Blake Organizations: CNN, US Naval Academy, Harvard, University of North, Fair, US Military Academy, West, US Navy, US Armed Forces, Defense Department, Black US Army, Military, Fort, US Supreme, Republican, Alabama’s GOP, UAW, United Auto Workers, Detroit’s Big, Reuters Locations: University of North Carolina, America, Fort Benning, Georgia, Alabama, Florida , Louisiana, County, Detroit, Belleville , Michigan

"There are many other law firms with similar racially discriminatory programs," Blum said in a statement. "It is to be hoped that these firms proactively open their programs to all law students before they are sued in federal court." The paid fellowships were designed in part to help support the recruitment of people of color, which major law firms have long struggled to add to their partnership ranks. Last year, people of color comprised 11.4% of all partners in major U.S. law firms, according to the National Association for Law Placement. The lawsuit alleged the fellowship program violated a Civil War-era law enacted to protect formerly enslaved Black people that bars racial bias in contracting.

Persons: Edward Blum, Morrison, Foerster, firm's, Edward Blum's, Perkins Coie, Blum, Blum's, Fearless Fund's, Nate Raymond, Alexia Garamfalvi, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Fair, Harvard University, Wednesday, Edward Blum's American Alliance for Equal Rights, National Association for Law, U.S, Supreme, Harvard, University of North, Thomson Locations: Boston, Dallas, Seattle, University of North Carolina

Perkins Coie, a more than 1,200-lawyer firm founded in Seattle, on Friday said it had expanded the applicant pool for its diversity fellowship program to all law students, not just members of "historically underrepresented" groups. It did so after a group founded by affirmative action foe Edward Blum filed lawsuits against it and another large law firm, Morrison & Foerster, alleging their diversity fellowships unlawfully excluded certain people based on their race. The paid fellowships were designed in part to help support the recruitment of people of color, which major law firms have struggled for years to add to their partnership ranks. In the lawsuit against Perkins Coie, Blum's American Alliance for Equal Rights took aim at a diversity fellowship the firm created in 1991 to support law students from groups "historically underrepresented in the legal profession." Those accepted can receive stipends of $15,000 and paid positions as summer associates, a position that at major law firms can lead to full-time jobs.

Persons: Edward Blum, Perkins, Perkins Coie, Morrison, Foerster, Blum, Fellows, Nate Raymond, Alexia Garamfalvi, Peter Graff Organizations: U.S, Supreme, Harvard University, University of North, Harvard, Saturday, American Alliance for Equal Rights, Thomson Locations: University of North Carolina, Washington , U.S, Seattle, Dallas , Texas, Boston

Naval Academy graduation and commissioning ceremony in Annapolis, Maryland, U.S., May 27, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 5 (Reuters) - The group that successfully challenged race-conscious college admissions policies at the U.S. Supreme Court sued the U.S. Naval Academy on Thursday, its second lawsuit opposing affirmative action in U.S. military academies. "The Naval Academy has no legal justification for treating midshipman applicants differently by race and ethnicity," Blum said in a statement. A spokesperson for the Naval Academy declined to comment.

Persons: Kevin Lamarque, Edward Blum, Blum, John Roberts, Joe Biden's, Daniel Walker, Nate Raymond, Chris Reese, Lincoln, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: U.S . Naval Academy, REUTERS, U.S, Supreme, Fair, Annapolis, U.S . Military Academy, West, Naval, Naval Academy, Harvard University, University of North, Democratic, Defense, Blacks, U.S . Air Force, Black Veterans, Constitution's, Thomson Locations: Annapolis , Maryland, U.S, Virginia, University of North Carolina, Baltimore, Boston

NEW YORK (AP) — A grant program for businesses run by Black women was temporarily blocked by a federal appeals court in a case epitomizing the escalating battle over corporate diversity policies. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily prevents the Fearless Fund from running the Strivers Grant Contest, which awards $20,000 to businesses that are at least 51% owned by Black women, among other requirements. In a statement Sunday, the Atlanta-based Fearless Fund said it would comply with the order but remained confident of ultimately prevailing in the lawsuit. “We strongly disagree with the decision and remain resolute in our mission and commitment to address the unacceptable disparities that exist for Black women and other women of color in the venture capital space,” the Fearless Fund said. The Fearless Fund has enlisted prominent civil rights lawyers, including Ben Crump, to defend against the lawsuit.

Persons: Edward Blum, “, Thomas W, program's, ” Blum, Judge Charles R, Wilson, Ben Crump, ” Organizations: Circuit, American Alliance for Equal Rights, Civil, U.S, District Locations: Atlanta, Black, U.S .

Circuit Court of Appeals on a 2-1 vote granted a request by Edward Blum's American Alliance for Equal Rights to temporarily block Fearless Fund from considering applications for grants only from businesses led by Black women. Blum's group asked the court to do so while it appealed a judge's Tuesday ruling denying it a preliminary injunction blocking Fearless Fund from moving forward with its "racially exclusive program." Fearless Fund did not immediately respond to requests for comment. According to the Fearless Fund, businesses owned by Black women in 2022 received less than 1% of the $288 billion that venture capital firms deployed. It also provides grants, and Blum's lawsuit took aim at its Fearless Strivers Grant Contest, which awards Black women who own small businesses $20,000 in grants and other resources to grow their businesses.

Persons: Ben Crump, Arian Simone, Ayana Parsons, Mylan Denerstein, Alphonso David, Eduardo Munoz, Edward Blum's, Blum's, Grant, Robert Luck, Andrew Brasher, Thomas, Donald Trump, Blum, JPMorgan Chase, Strivers, Nate Raymond, Alexia Garamfalvi, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Fund, REUTERS, Supreme, Circuit, Edward Blum's American Alliance for Equal Rights, U.S, District, American Alliance for Equal Rights, Harvard University, University of North, JPMorgan, Bank of America, MasterCard, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S, Atlanta, Texas, University of North Carolina, Black, Boston

U.S. District Judge Thomas Thrash during a hearing denied a request by Edward Blum's American Alliance for Equal Rights for a preliminary injunction blocking Fearless Fund from considering applications for grants only from businesses led by Black women. Blum's group had asked the judge to temporarily block the Fearless Fund's "racially exclusive program" while the court considered the merits of the case. Fearless Fund founders Arian Simone and Ayana Parsons in a joint statement said they were pleased that Thrash rejected Blum's attempt to shut down their grant program. According to the Fearless Fund, businesses owned by Black women in 2022 received less than 1% of the $288 billion that venture capital firms deployed. It also provides grants, and Blum's lawsuit took aim at its Fearless Strivers Grant Contest, which awards Black women who own small businesses $20,000 in grants and other resources to grow their businesses.

Persons: Edward Blum, Thomas, Edward Blum's, Blum, Arian Simone, Ayana Parsons, Simone, Parsons, JPMorgan Chase, Strivers, Nate Raymond, Will Dunham, Alexia Garamfalvi Organizations: Fair, Harvard University, Supreme, U.S, District, Edward Blum's American Alliance for Equal Rights, Circuit, Appeals, University of North, JPMorgan, Bank of America, MasterCard, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Atlanta, Texas, University of North Carolina, Black, U.S . Civil, Boston

Those lawsuits accuse all three of violating Section 1981 of the 1866 Civil Rights Act, a law enacted after the Civil War that guarantees all people the same right to make and enforce contracts "as is enjoyed by white citizens." "All of our nation's civil rights laws - including the 1866 Civil Rights Act - enshrine the command that someone's race and ethnicity must never be used to help or harm them in public and private employment and contracting," Blum, who is white, told Reuters in an email. FREE SPEECH ARGUMENTFearless Fund has brought in prominent lawyers to defend it, including civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Alphonso David, who during a news conference called Blum's use of the Civil War-era law "cynical." They argue that the rules for the grants are merely criteria for being eligible for a "discretionary gift" and do not create a "contract" subject to the civil rights law. Blum's group countered that Fearless Fund's argument would ironically undermine the very causes it favors by essentially invalidating Section 1981 and deeming racial discrimination protected by the First Amendment.

Persons: Edward Blum, Morrison, Foerster, Edward Blum's, Thomas, Fearless Fund's, Bill Clinton, Blum, Sarah Hinger, Hinger, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Arian Simone, Ayana Parsons, Blum's, Strivers, Ben Crump, Alphonso David, Nate Raymond, Alexia Garamfalvi, Will Dunham Organizations: Fair, Harvard University, Supreme, Edward Blum's American Alliance for Equal Rights, University of North, U.S, District, Democratic, Reuters, American Civil, Racial, Thomson Locations: Boston , Massachusetts, U.S, University of North Carolina, Atlanta, Black, Blum's Texas, Colorado, Boston

But the Fearless Fund is a tiny player in the approximately $200 billion global venture capital market. Less than 1% of venture capital funding goes to businesses owned by Black and Hispanic women, according to the nonprofit advocacy group Digitalundivided. The lawsuit against the Fearless Fund was filed by Edward Blum, the conservative activist who filed the affirmative action cases before the Supreme Court. Fearless Fund has invested more than $2 million in Thirteen Lune, founded by Nyako Griego. The combined share of venture capital funding received by Black and Latina founders briefly surpassed 1% in 2021 before dipping back below that threshold in 2022, according to Digitalundivided.

Persons: ”, Arian Simone, it's, Simone, ” Simone, Fearless, Edward Blum, Blum, ” Blum, Ben Crump, Marc Rosen, Thirteen, Sephora, Kohl's, Rosen, They’re, ” Rosen, Nyako Griego, George Floyd, Morgan Chase, Associated Press Retail Writers Anne D'Innocenzio, Haleluya Hadero Organizations: Fearless Fund, Black, Associated Press, Civil, American Alliance, Equal, AP, Fund, Court, Latina, Bank of America, Mastercard, Associated Press Retail Writers Locations: Atlanta, Texas, Florida, U.S, Lune

☆ Business owners of color seeking SBA loans now have to write an essay proving their race is a 'social disadvantage' after a judge ruled it isn't enough
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

In July, a federal judge ruled business owners cannot say their race is a disadvantage to receive funding. It challenged the SBA's 8(a) program, which awards money to socially disadvantaged businesses each year. Now, business owners have to write an essay proving why their identity has been the basis of discrimination. The judge's decision struck down a key provision of that program, saying that business owners could no longer say their race is the reason they have faced disadvantage in America. This ruling prompted the SBA to change the process for small business owners to receive funds though the 8(a) program.

Persons: Edward Blum, Joe Biden's, Isabella Guzman, Harris Organizations: Service, SBA, Biden, Harris Administration Locations: Wall, Silicon, Tennessee, America

The paid fellowships were designed in part to help support the recruitment of people of color, which major law firms have struggled for years to add to their partnership ranks. The fellowship consists of a paid summer-associate position, which in law firms often lead to full-time jobs that pay in the six figures after graduation, and a $50,000 stipend. Legal challenges against corporate diversity programs have increased in the wake of the Supreme Court's affirmative action ruling. The other law firm in Blum's crosshairs is Seattle-founded Perkins Coie, a more than 1,200-lawyer global law firm. It has a similar fellowship and has said it plans to defend itself, saying its commitment to diversity is "steadfast."

Persons: Edward Blum, Perkins, Morrison, Foerster, Blum, Keith Wetmore, Blum's, Perkins Coie, Nate Raymond, Alexia Garamfalvi, Richard Chang Organizations: U.S, Supreme, Harvard University, University of North, San, American Alliance for Equal Rights, Excellence, Harvard, Thomson Locations: University of North Carolina, Washington , U.S, San Francisco, Miami, Blum's crosshairs, Seattle, Boston

The American Alliance for Equal Rights sued Perkins Coie in Dallas and Morrison & Foerster in Miami two months after the Supreme Court sided with another group founded by activist Edward Blum and rejected affirmative action policies used by many colleges to increase enrollment of racial minorities. The federal lawsuits accused both law firms of unlawfully discriminating against white candidates by limiting which law students could be considered for paid fellowships designed in part to help support the recruitment of people of color. "Excluding students from these esteemed fellowships because they are the wrong race is unfair, polarizing and illegal," Blum, who is white, said in a statement. Perkins Coie, founded in Seattle, offers "diversity fellowships" that provide stipends of $15,000 to $25,000 and paid positions as summer associates, a position that at major law firms can lead to full-time jobs with six-figure salaries. Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Will Dunham, Alexia Garamfalvi and Alistair BellOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Edward Blum, Perkins Coie, Morrison, Foerster, " Blum, Perkins, Nate Raymond, Will Dunham, Alexia Garamfalvi, Alistair Bell Organizations: U.S, Supreme, Harvard University, University of North, Activision, American Alliance for Equal Rights, Activision Blizzard, Kellogg, Gannett, Civil, American, American Alliance for Equal, Atlanta, Thomson Locations: University of North Carolina, Washington , U.S, Dallas, Miami, Seattle, United States, Asia, San Francisco, Blum's Texas, Boston

☆ Conservative activist sues major law firms for providing diversity fellowships
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington, DC CNN —The conservative activist behind the Supreme Court case that struck down affirmative action in college admissions this year is suing two international law firms for providing diversity fellowships. Corporate diversity programs have come under fire lately from conservative politicians and activists. The group has also sued Target for allegedly destroying shareholder value through its Pride-themed clothing, and it has sued Kellogg for diversity programs. Yet studies have shown that DEI programs and initiatives have demonstrated cultural and economic benefits. Affirmative action and diversity program advocates fear that conservative action against those programs could block career opportunities for people of color.

Persons: Perkins Coie, Morrison, Foerster, Perkins, ”, “, ” Morrison, White, Edward Blum, Blum, Trump, Stephen Miller, Kellogg, Ron DeSantis Organizations: DC CNN, American Alliance for Equal Rights, CNN, Apple, Google, Starbucks, Procter, Gamble, American Medical Association, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census, Harvard College, University of North, Legal, National Center for Public, Research, Conservative, America, Legal Foundation, Amazon, Florida Gov Locations: Washington, Dallas, Miami, University of North Carolina, Spokane , Washington, Texas, Florida

☆ Edward Blum Lawsuits Target Affirmative Action at Global Law Firms
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Douglas Belkin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

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Persons: Dow Jones, edward, blum

☆ There's a brewing backlash against DEI in corporate America — and a venture capital fund getting sued for racial bias is now caught in the middle
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Vishal Persaud | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

VC firm Fearless Fund is being sued by the group behind the Supreme Court affirmative action case. The conservative group claims a grant program run by Fearless Fund is racially discriminatory. It also led some companies like Bank of America, Mastercard , PayPal and others to earmark millions of dollars to fund and address the racial funding gap. A small, Atlanta-based, Black women-led venture firm called Fearless Fund was one of them. "Their motive is clear: they want to disrupt the vital work of Fearless Fund and similar institutions and organizations whose primary mission is to provide underrepresented communities with an economic engine to build, sustain and scale their businesses," said Fearless Fund in a press release.

Persons: George Floyd, Edward Blum, Arian Simone, Ayana Parsons, George Floyd's, Eghosa Omoigui, Yasmin Cruz Ferrine, Ferrine, VCs Organizations: Fearless, Morning, Bank of America, Mastercard, PayPal, American Alliance for Equal Rights, Civil, Costco, MasterCard, Street Journal, Netflix, Disney, Warner Bros, Wall Street Journal, Pew Research Center, Microsoft, Walmart, TechCrunch Locations: Minneapolis, Atlanta, America

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