HERFF CHAIR OF EXCELLENCE 2023 SYMPOSIUM
TEACHING BIAS, CULTURAL COMPETENCY, AND RACISM IN LAW SCHOOLS
A Symposium Presented by Professor Demetria Frank, the visiting Herff Chair of Excellence at the University of Memphis School of Law
February 3, 2023
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A RECORDING OF THE FULL SYMPOSIUM
The 2023 Herff Chair of Excellence Symposium will be a virtual/hybrid event at the University of Memphis School of Law, centering education on "bias, cultural competency, and racism" in law schools as required by the American Bar Association's new standard 303(c).
Discussions will focus on how programs will meet 303(c)'s requirement, the challenges law schools might encounter implementing the standard, the attacks on critical race theory, and more.
AGENDA
To download a PDF or printable copy of the days' agenda, please CLICK HERE
Panel A (9:30 - 10:50 a.m.)
Implementing Standard 303(c)
This panel will explore how law programs plan to comply with ABA Standard 303(c). The panel will also discuss how to set 303 outcomes and objectives and seek suggestions from panelists on how to assess lawyer cultural proficiency.
Moderator: Demetria Frank - Visiting Herff Chair of Excellence, University of Memphis Cecil C. School of Law
Panelists:
- Anastasia Boles - Professor of Law & Co-Director, Center for Racial Justice and Criminal Justice Reform; University of Arkansas Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law
- Brant Lee - Professor of Law and Assistant Dean for Diversity and Social Justice Initiatives, University of Akron School of Law
- Teri A. McMurty-Chubb - Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development & Professor of Law, University of Illinois Chicago Law School
- Phyllis Taite – Professor, Oklahoma City University School of Law
Panel B (11:00 – 12:20 a.m.)
Bias & Cultural Competence Teaching Challenges
This panel will discuss challenges to implementing Standard 303(c) including “divisive concept” Bills (the attack on critical race theory), diversity in the legal academy, political climate, and COVID-19.
Moderator: Shavonne Henderson – Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging and Lecturer, University of Texas at Austin School of Law
Panelists:
- Lydia Contreras – Professor, Vice-Provost for Faculty Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity, University of Texas at Austin
- Jacqueline O'Bryant - Interim Assistant Dean for Diversity & Inclusion, University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
- Matthew Murrell – Lecturer, University of Texas School of Law, Beck Center for Legal Research, Writing, & Appellate Advocacy
- Terrence Reed – Managing Director of Employment Litigation at FedEx Express; Adjunct Professor at University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
Panel C (1:00 – 2:20 p.m.)
Critical Race Theory in Divisive Times
As a follow-up to the 2022 Herff Symposium, this panel will bring scholars back to engage in a discussion about their work since last year’s symposium in their respective fields and probe whether there are new challenges to CRT on the horizon.
The panel will explore how teaching CRT in law schools (and more broadly) has been impacted and how legal scholars and lawyers should address CRT challenges when there are now clear professional obligations to explore CRT-related topics in law schools.
Moderator: Darrell Jackson – 2022 Visiting Herff Chair of Excellence, Associate Professor at University of Wyoming College of Law
Panelists:
- Atiba Ellis – Professor of Law, Case Western Reserve University School of Law
- Areto Imoukhuede – Professor of Law, FAMU College of Law
- Jamila Jefferson – Earl B. Shurtz Research Professor and Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, University of Kansas School of Law
- Christian Powell Sundquist – Professor of Law, University of Pittsburgh School of Law