Fisher v. University of Texas, Austin: The Changing Landscape of Affirmative Action in the College Admissions Process

When: Thursday, May 24, 2012

Location: KCMBA, Two Pershing Square, 2300 Main Street, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64108

Registration:  3:30 p.m.

Seminar: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Reception at 5:00 pm to follow

Fees:  $0

Description:

A panel discussion featuring constitutional law professors from the UMKC School of Law, the University of Kansas School of Law, and Washburn University School of Law, and the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Multicultural Affairs from the UMKC School of Law. The discussion will cover the Supreme Court’s recent decision to grant certiorari to Petitioner Abigail Fisher, a Texas resident who filed a lawsuit after she was denied admission to the University of Texas. The panel will look at the background of the case, the decision of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the potential implications of a Supreme Court ruling that would prohibit colleges and universities from making limited use of race in admissions policies to increase diversity. The Supreme Court’s decision in Fisher v. University of Texas, Austin could shape the use of affirmative action programs both in higher education and the government as a whole.

Moderators:    

Sharice Davids, SNR Denton

Heath W. Hoobing, Seigfreid, Bingham, Levy, Selzer & Gee

Seema Chawla, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

Panelists:

Professor Stephen McAllister, University of Kansas School of Law

Professor William Rich, Washburn School of Law

Professor Allen Rostron, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law

Debbie Brooks, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Multicultural Affairs, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law  

Sponsored by KC LEGAL, the Kansas Bar Association, and Stinson Morrison Hecker.

9:00 a.m. Red-Flag Analysis For LGBT Estate Plans

Meg Winslow Maffitt, Maffitt Law Office, Overland Park

End-of-life planning is absolutely critical for LGBT clients since they are unable to utilize the defaults provided by state laws. The session includes an examination of some major challenges.

9:50 a.m. LGBT Family Law: Approaching the Hurdles

Elizabeth M. Hodges-Williams, Hodges-Williams, LLC, Kansas City, Mo.

From relationship recognition to family recognition, LGBT families have a special set of hurdles to conquer. Hodges-

Williams will address the legal issues as not only an attorney, but someone who has been through the process personally and

how best to work with LGBT clients and what they are going through.

10:55 a.m. LGBT Rights in the Workplace: What Does Winning Really Mean?

Stephen Alan Glassman, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Harrisburg, Penn.

This session will explore the importance of securing workplace protections coupled with enforcement procedures and

leadership direction at all levels of the organization.

1:00 p.m. LGBT Civil Rights in the Obama Justice Department

Matt Nosanchuk, Senior Counselor to the Assistant AG, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.

The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice under Attorney General Eric Holder has engaged in a vigorous

process of restoration and transformation. This includes confronting the pressing civil rights challenges of the 21st

century, and using existing authorities to promote and protect LGBT civil rights and to support the adoption of new authorities

that will enhance the Civil Rights Division's capacity to advance them. This program will explore legal issues relating to LGBT

community, including bullying of LGBT youth and the implementation of the new Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The session also will explore efforts being made by the Department of Justice to combat

discrimination experienced by LGBT individuals and their families, and persons with HIV/AIDS.

1:50 p.m. Challenging DOMA in the Immigration Context: Advocacy on Behalf of Gay and Lesbian Families

Tom Plummer, Immigration Equality, New York, N.Y.

This session will offer a discussion of recent legal developments regarding the Defense of Marriage Act, immigration implications

for gay and lesbian families, and current immigration strategies for same-sex, binational couples.

2:55 p.m. First Amendment Issues as They Relate to the LGBT Community

Amy Whelan, National Center for Lesbian Rights, San Francisco, Calif.

This session will review LGBT cases involving First Amendment issues, including student groups at schools and an ongoing case about the Gay Softball World Series.

12:30-1:30 pm

Featuring:

Dale Carpenter,  Earl R. Larson Professor of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Law, University of Minnesota Law

Dale Schowengerdt, Litigator, Alliance Defense Fund

Sponsored by KC LEGAL, KU Outlaws and Allies, and the Federalist Society

KC LEGAL is co-sponsoring this event with PROMO.

As the first openly lesbian member of the EEOC, Ms. Feldblum is one of the highest LGBT appointments made by President Obama. Ms. Feldblum will be speaking primarily on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act since she is one of the main author of the bill itself. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chai_Feldblum

http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/4-7-10a.cfm

When:  June 22, 2011

When:  6 to 9 pm

Where:  Home of Doug Gray and Kevin Yates (5300 Brookside Blvd, KCMO 64112)

Bonus:  Dinner provided

Between 35 and 40 attendees will be permitted at this event, and space is filling up quickly.  Please rsvp to Claire Cook at claire@promoonline.org

KC LEGAL is co-sponsoring this event in conjunction with the ACLU, PROMO, KEC, and KCAVP.

When:  June 9, 2011

Time: 6 to 9 PM

Where:  Crosstown Station, 1522 McGee Street, KCMO 64108

Speakers and Special Guests :

Honorable Kate Lynch, Wyandotte County District Court Judge

Manhattan City Commissioner Jayme Morris-Hardeman

Lisa Pelofsky, KCMO Police Commissioner

Wick Thomas, EQUAL Board President  

KC LEGAL is organizing a free CLE on Judicial Independence after work on Thursday May 12.  Moreover, the KCMBA, the Asian American Bar Association of Kansas City, Jackson County Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association of Greater Kansas City, and the Association for Women Lawyers are all co-sponsoring the event.   

Speaker Panelists:

Former Iowa Supreme Court Justice Michael Streit

Missouri Supreme Court Judge Laura Denvir Stith

Moderator:
Jeremy Root, Stinson Morrison Hecker, author of "The Missouri NonPartisan Court Plan: The Least Political Method of Selecting High Quality Judges," 74 Missouri Law Review 711 (2009)

When: 

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Registration and Reception: 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.         

Seminar: 6:00 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.

Where:
KCMBA Headquarters

Two Pershing Square

2300 Main Street, Suite 100

Kansas City, MO 64108

Program Content:

In recent years, states such as Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa have considered various proposals to alter how judges are selected and retained.   In general, these changes involve a move from a merit selection and retention election process known as the "Missouri Plan" to election by popular vote.  Yet, even under the Missouri Plan, judges are not immune from attack.  In 2010, voters in Iowa opted not to retain three Iowa Supreme Court justices who were part of the unanimous decision that legalized same-sex marriage.  The Iowa vote demonstrates that even judicial retention votes can become a direct threat to judicial independence due to the politicization of judicial selection by special interest groups, many of which may be financially backed from out-of-state entities.  This CLE program will explore the problems and possible solutions associated with these recent events in Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa.

Registration:  RSVP to Jen Kiper at jkiper@kcmba.org

1.0 CLE Hours in Missouri and 1.0 CLE Hour in Kansas (pending)

Fees:  FREE for members of partnering organizations.

KC LEGAL, the Asian American Bar Assn of KC, and the Hispanic Bar Assn of Greater KC  are hosting a joint Happy Hour this Thursday.  We'll be having a poker tourney, and all of the proceed will benefit the Japan relief efforts.   We hope to see you there!

WHEN: April 7, 2011, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Makers Mark Bourbon House and Lounge (1333 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64105)

8:30 a.m.           Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 a.m.          Lessons From Across the Nation: Winning Protection for LGBT Families

                           Ilona Turner, National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), San Francisco, Ca.

                            This session will present an update about key impact cases affecting LGBT families around the country, including the recent Prop 8 decision from California.

9:50 a.m.             LGBT Elder Law Issues

                            Ilona Turner, National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), San Francisco, Ca.

                            This session will look at some of the unique challenges that LGBT elders face and legal strategies for advocating for this vulnerable segment of our community.

10:55 a.m.           Don’t Ask Don't Tell Legal Issues

                            Aaron Tax, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Washington, D.C.

                            This session will discuss the history of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” how the law works on a daily basis, and how recent developments impact the lives of LGBT servicemembers.

11:45 a.m.           Lunch (on your own)

1:00 p.m.            Sexual Orientation Discrimination and Missouri/Kansas Human Rights Acts

                            Joan Gummels, Office of the Attorney General, Jefferson City, Mo.

                            This session will look at what practitioners need to know about recent efforts to amend the Missouri & Kansas HRAs to address discrimination based on sexual orientation.

1:50 p.m.            Estate Planning for LGBT Clients

                            Mike Theissen, Husch Blackwell, LLP, Kansas City, Mo.

                            This session looks at estate planning emphasizing issues of primary interest to LGBT individuals and couples, including creation and documentation of rights not supported by our laws.

2:55 p.m.            Together, Apart and Everything in Between:  LGBT Relationships in 2010

                            Lisa Brunner, Brunner Law LLC, Kansas City, Mo.

                            This session will address the legal issues that same-sex couples face when they become a couple, such as sharing (or not sharing) ownership of personal property, bank accounts and real estate. Considerations for same-sex couples when they break-up, including post-relationship issues that face people who are legally married in other states or countries will also be discussed.

3:45 p.m.            Adjourn

KC LEGAL and the Asian American Bar Association of Kansas City invite you to meet State Senator Jolie Justus. http://joliejustus.com/

RSVP to mcarrol@shb.com or gwu@shb.com

KC LEGAL and the Four Freedoms Democratic Club invite you to meet lawyer Bruce Lehman – the first openly gay man confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 1993.  Come and learn about the Senate confirmation process, to what extent the being gay impacted that (or did not), and how Washington has changed since that time.

When:  Friday, May 7

Time:  After work (around 5:30 to 7:00)

Where:  The Cashew (second floor), 2000 Grand, KCMO

More about Bruce Lehman

Mr. Lehman was the U.S. Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks from 1993-1998.  Today, Mr. Lehman is the Chairman and President of the International Intellectual Property Institute (IIPI), a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization, based in Washington, D.C.   In 1994, the National Law Journal, the largest-selling weekly publication for lawyers, named Mr. Lehman its "Lawyer of the Year."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Lehman

http://www.iipi.org/nav_about/boards.asp

As part of our efforts to reach out to other bar associations, KC LEGAL is proud to sponsor the KCMBA's Foundation for Lawyers Encouraging Academic Performance ("LEAP")  Mardi Gras Luncheon for the benefit of Operation Breakthrough, Inc.

KC LEGAL is proud to announce that Judge Deanell Reece Tacha will be our featured speaker at our February event.

Judge Tacha is a native of Scandia, Kansas. Tacha received her bachelor's degree with honors in American studies from the University of Kansas and her law degree from the University of Michigan.

President Ronald Reagan appointed Tacha to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in December 1985, where she currently serves as a federal appellate judge. She became chief judge of the 10th Circuit on Jan. 1, 2001.

Named a White House Fellow in 1971, she was assigned as special assistant to Secretary of Labor James D. Hodgson. The following year, at the conclusion of her fellowship, she joined the law firm of Hogan and Hartson as an associate in Washington, D.C. Two years later, she returned to Kansas to engage in private practice. In 1974, she joined the KU School of Law faculty, becoming associate dean of the law school in 1977. In 1981, Tacha was elevated to the university position of Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Judge Tacha was a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission from 1994-1998. She also chaired the Judicial Division of the American Bar Association in 1995-96. From 1990-1994 and from 2001 to July 1, 2005, she served as chair of the U.S. Judicial Conference Committee on the Judicial Branch. Tacha has been a national Trustee of the American Inns of Court Foundation since 2000 and currently serves as the president of that organization.

She is a past chair of the Appellate Judges Conference and a former member of the ABA's Commission on Women in the Profession. Having served as national president of the Kansas University Alumni Association, Judge Tacha is also on the Board of Trustees for Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City and remains active in numerous professional and civic organizations.

In 1992, Tacha received the KU Alumni Association's Fred Ellsworth Medallion for extraordinary service to the university and received its most prestigious award, the Distinguished Service Citation, in 1996.  In 2008, she received the Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award administered by the American Judicature Society.

Join KC LEgal and HRC for a special Third Thursday.  The tentative schedule is:

*5:30:  Vocalist/Guiarist Kristie Stremel

*6:15:  Remarks from KC LEgal and HRC

*6:30: Screening of "Overruled"

*6:45:  More music and mingling 

This event is free to the public.  Cash bar, but members of KC LEGAL will receive two complimentary drink tickets.  Complimentary snacks will also be provided.

*In 1998, police stormed into John Lawrence's Houston home and arrested him and Tyron Garner for violating Texas' "homosexual conduct" law. "Overruled!" highlights their story and the courtroom drama behind Lawrence v. Texas – the case that led the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down all remaining state sodomy laws and launched a new era in the LGBT rights movement.  The 15-minute documentary was produced by Lambda Legal, and highlights the efforts of the lawyers and organizations behind the scenes.  The case also illustrates the importance of electing officials who will appoint fair-minded judges to our nation's judiciary this November.

Speak Out will draw attention to the still present issues of GLBT workplace discrimination and provide resources to employers, employees, and diversity leaders to help create change within their workplace environments.      

Partnering with UMKC will allow Out & Equal Kansas City to host the event in the Pierson Auditorium.   Through the emotional sharing of real stories, the intent is to elicit enough of a reaction within the audience to promote change.  

The audience will be comprised of HR Professionals, Employees, Employee Resource Group leaders, and Persons of influence.  Through our panel discussion, we would hope to provide these individuals with the necessary resources to drive change within their respective workplaces.  

The format:

The event is currently outlined to kick off with a media presentation.   Envision an attack on the auditory senses.   Homophobic remarks, snippets of personal stories, and derogatory statements flood the room.   Immediately the presenting speaker enters onto the stage to introduce the program and format.  

The first presentation begins with the first person entering onto the stage behind the curtain.   The person shall enter slowly and allow time for the message to sink in about the need for anonymity.   Subsequent stories shall take place both behind the curtain, out in the audience, read from Out & Equal council members, and presented via audio and video.  

The final portion of the program shall focus on change.  A speaker will present current data around workplace discrimination, the current environment, penalties, and report studies that demonstrate the reduction in productivity that occurs when someone is not able to be their true and best self at work.

Interested in sharing your story.   Email Out and Equal  at kansascity@outandequal.org

PROMO is hosting its annual Missouri Equality Conference, formerly known as Equality Summit, in Kansas City on September 27th, 2008, 10:00am-4:00pm, at Penn Valley Community College.  The Missouri Equality Conference is a daylong activist and advocacy training with skill-building workshops, panel discussions, and strategy sessions around LGBT equality issues.   KC LEgal Board member Lisa Brunner will be speaking on GLBT legal issues. 

If you are interested, PROMO is looking for approximately eight 45-minute sessions in these general categories:

*Youth Activism

*Coordinating other movements with the LGBT movement

*HIV/AIDS realted services, general LGBT health

*Working with queer youth (geared towards adults)

*Trans-education, Trans-related

*Upcoming elections

Proposals must be submitted by August 20th and may be submitted to PROMO@PROMOonline.org

The 4th Annual Heartland Diversity Legal Job Fair (HDLJF) will be held August 22-23, 2008, in Kansas City, Missouri. Students who are interested in becoming part of Kansas City’s dynamic legal community should strongly consider attending this event.  Students who will be returning to school in August and those graduating in May are eligible to attend the job fair, as employers will be interviewing for both summer and post-graduate positions.  KC LEgal will have a table at the HDLJF.

The HDLJF is the result of Kansas City's leading law firms, legal associations, and corporate legal departments coming together to encourage law students to practice law in Kansas City. The HDLJF is designed to expose law students of diverse backgrounds to both traditional and non-traditional legal employers. In addition, the event is a great way t to learn more about living in this wonderful city.

The HDLJF will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center. It will kick off with an evening Welcome Reception on Friday, August 22nd.  The Saturday schedule includes a continental breakfast, interviewing from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and a luncheon at which participants will be greeted and addressed by Charlie Harris, current President of The Missouri Bar.

To find out more, visit http://www.heartlanddiversity.org/ You may also contact Jen Kiper at 816-474-4322.