The Hennepin County Bar Association (HCBA) Diversity and Inclusion Committee presents: Racial Equity and Justice, an 8-session CLE Series
Free for HCBA members! Attend single programs or sign up for the full series.
Non-HCBA members: $40 per session.
Examining the Bar Exam, A Discussion of Equity and Alternative Pathways to Bar Admission
Monday, May 2 | 12:00-1:00 PM | Live Webinar via Zoom | 1.0 Standard CLE Credit
The Minnesota Board of Law Examiners has undertaken a study of alternative pathways to admission to the Bar of Minnesota. In this moderated discussion, Judge Juan Hoyos, Professor Carol Chomsky, and Note Author Eura Chang will discuss why now is the time to re-examine the bar exam as the exclusive way for students and newer attorneys to become licensed in Minnesota.
A Discussion on the Page Amendment and the Responsibility of the Legal Profession to Advocate for Equity
Monday, May 9 | 12:00-1:00 PM | Live Webinar via Zoom | 1.0 Standard CLE Credit
The Page Amendment would amend the Minnesota state constitution to provide a civil right to education for children. In this presentation and moderated discussion, Justice Alan Page and Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari will discuss the reasons and objectives for the Page Amendment, its current status in the Legislature, and the responsibility of all lawyers to advocate for equity.
A Call to Action for Racial Justice from a Social Entrepreneur
Tuesday, May 10 | 12:00-1:00 PM | Live Webinar via Zoom | 1.0 Standard CLE Credit
In the wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, Marika Reese had a vision for the Community Healing Team that would be of and for the African American community. The importance of taking action in response to injustice is a critical lesson for lawyers and legal systems.
A Discussion on Diversity with the Deans of the Minnesota Law Schools
Thursday, May 12 | 12:00-1:00 PM| Live Webinar via Zoom | 1.0 Standard CLE Credit
In this panel discussion with the Deans of the Minnesota Law Schools, Dean Robert Vischer, Dean Anthony Niedwiecki, and Dean Garry Jenkins will discuss their schools’ efforts to improve the diversity of their law school classes and curriculum and to advance equity and inclusion at their respective institutions. This discussion will be moderated by law students.
Committee for Equality and Justice Study on Jury Race Data and Recommendations: Looking Back and Looking Forward
Wednesday, May 18 | 12:00-1:00 PM | Live Webinar via Zoom | 1.0 Standard CLE Credit
In this presentation and discussion, Judge Richelle Wahi and Research Analyst Ellen Bendewald will discuss the findings and recommendations of the recent report on jury race data from the Committee for Equality Justice.
Transformative and Racial Justice in the Age of Wokeness
Tuesday, May 24 | 12:00-1:00 PM| Live Webinar via Zoom | 1.0 Standard CLE Credit
In this presentation and discussion, Dr. Raj and the attendees will explore restorative practices, the meaning of racial justice, explanation and implementation of practices and values that serve racial justice, why racial justice matters, and the barriers to implementation and practice of transformative justice.
Tackling Columbus, Systemic Failures in Equity: A Closer Look at State v. Forcia
Thursday, May 26 | 12:00-1:00 PM| Live Webinar via Zoom | 1.0 Standard CLE Credit
Civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd in 2020 led to protests across the nation, one of which resulted in the toppling of the Christopher Columbus statue on the grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol by American Indian Movement activist Michael Forcia. Mr. Forcia was charged with felony Criminal Damage to Property. Criminal defense attorney, Jack Rice, and public health law attorney, Willow Anderson, joined forces to take on this case pro bono. Working with the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, they collaborated with community leaders to determine a restorative justice process that would give voice to community members on how to best hold Mr. Forcia accountable while healing the community and discussing the multiple branches of failure that led to this action.
Commemorating George Floyd’s Murder with Action
Friday, May 27 | 12:00-1:00 PM| Live Webinar via Zoom | 1.0 Standard CLE Credit
In this moderated panel discussion, Keith Ellison, John Choi, Kassius Benson, Lolita Ulloa, and Justin Terrell will discuss how their organizations have taken concrete strides forward in addressing racial injustice and inequities in our legal systems and what further actions they believe are essential.