Trump administration gives schools a deadline to end DEI programs
Schools are being given 14 days to end any practice that treats students or workers differently because of their race.
Diversity
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Attorneys inundated with questions from businesses, nonprofits about Trump’s policy moves
The topics of the inquiries range from grant funding to tariffs to immigration to diversity, equity and inclusion.
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DEI litigation shows hit to targeted programs in US
Discussions around improving diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace have unfolded throughout the United States for decades, dating back to the 1960s with the establishment of equal employment laws and affirmative action.
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Report: Women now comprise majority of law associates
The National Association for Law Placement released its annual Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms in January, with the report showing women now constitute the majority of all law associates for the first time since NALP began gathering data in the early 1990s.
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Public colleges preparing for new state law that calls for ‘intellectual diversity’
Under the new law, faculty members at public universities will be required to teach scholarly works “from a variety of political or ideological frameworks” within the faculty member’s purview of instruction.
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Articles
Legal battle looms as Trump orders a funding freeze during a review of federal loans and grants
Administration officials said the decision was necessary to ensure that all funding complies with Trump’s executive orders, which are intended to undo progressive steps on transgender rights, environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, efforts.
Anti-DEI bills take heat but pass committee
For four hours on Wednesday, and with tempers flaring throughout, Indiana lawmakers and plenty of constituents debated whether diversity, equity and inclusion efforts combat or constitute discrimination.
Black Indiana lawmakers denounce governor’s anti-DEI order, budget proposal
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun last week signed an executive order replacing “diversity, equity and inclusion,” or DEI, throughout state government policies and programming with “merit, excellence and innovation,” or MEI.
Trump administration directs all federal diversity, equity and inclusion staff be put on leave
President Trump’s executive order will toss out equity plans developed by federal agencies and terminate any roles or offices dedicated to promoting diversity. It will include eliminating initiatives such as DEI-related training or diversity goals in performance reviews.
Braun orders remote state workers back to office, eliminates DEI in first executive actions
By ending the pandemic-era measure, all state agencies must require their full-time workers to be back in office by July 1.
Walmart’s DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump’s election victory
Walmart’s sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are re-evaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups.
Minority-owned firms face ‘crisis’ as affirmative action programs fall
Minority- and women-owned businesses are bracing for the end of affirmative action in federal contracting—and the potential loss of contracts worth at least $70 billion a year.
IndyBar: New DEI Director Recruiting Committee Members
All are needed, and all are welcome. That’s the message Ranissa Dycus, Associate General Counsel at American Senior Communities, intends to spread as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director for the Indianapolis Bar Association and Foundation Boards of Directors.
More moms are serving as Indiana legislators — but far fewer than should be, new report says
The number of Indiana lawmakers who are also moms of minor-aged children has boosted significantly since 2022, but family and women’s advocates maintain there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
Law schools, firms create programs to build pipeline of diverse attorneys
With the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to effectively end affirmative action in college admissions, universities and law firms are looking for new ways to continue diversity efforts.
Greising on DEI: Let’s face the national headwinds with perseverance
The headwinds seem particularly strong right now—from the attacks on programs aligned with DEI objectives to lawsuits to block priority programs. Even law firms are getting sued and threatened over DEI programs.
Star Martinez: Navigating Indiana’s legal system with a lack of Spanish speakers
Navigating the legal system for the first time can be difficult for anyone that isn’t a lawyer, but can you imagine trying to do so without speaking English fluently?
IndyBar: ‘The Seat is Yours’ Volunteer Opportunity
These breakfasts have been a low-key avenue to introduce lawyers and law students from underrepresented groups to local lawyers, law firms and legal departments serious about communicating that their voices are valued.
ACLU files new lawsuit over SEA 202, citing policies at Purdue, IU
The ACLU of Indiana filed a new lawsuit over SEA 202, a law requiring professors to be disciplined for not fostering “a culture of free inquiry, free expression, and intellectual diversity,” citing policies recently enacted at Purdue University and Indiana University.
The First Amendment and practical implications of SEA 202
During the 2024 legislative session, the Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act 202-2024 (Senate Bill 202), which was promoted by Republican lawmakers as a mechanism for increasing “intellectual diversity” within Indiana’s public colleges and universities.
U.S. District Court dismisses ACLU lawsuit over new tenure law
The U.S. District Court for Southern Indiana granted a motion to dismiss a lawsuit against the trustees of Purdue University and Indiana University over a new law requiring trustees to implement policies regarding faculty tenure.
Indiana Attorney General files to dismiss challenge to state’s ‘intellectual diversity’ law
The measure was adopted by the General Assembly over concerns that conservative viewpoints were being stifled on campuses and signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb in March.
Conservatives use shooting at Trump rally to attack DEI efforts at Secret Service
Several Republican lawmakers seized on gender and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the Secret Service as among the reasons for security lapses during the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
IndyBar’s Newest Diversity CLE Event: ‘A Morning of Meaningful Conversations’
Indianapolis Bar Association has developed a new DEI-centered event titled: IndyBar Unites: A Morning of Meaningful Conversations.