Lowenstein Thought Leaders Address Inclusion Issues on Various Platforms Throughout January

Organizations and their counsel are paying close attention to developments in inclusion initiatives in the wake of last year's Supreme Court ruling in SFFA v. Harvard and news of corporations like McDonalds modifying their DEI efforts. Lowenstein thought leaders are writing and speaking on the legal and business ramifications of these developments, offering helpful guidance to businesses navigating this shifting terrain.

This week, J. Danielle Carr, Chief Officer of Inclusion at Lowenstein Sandler and President of the Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals, participated in the New York State Bar Association's "Chief Diversity Officers Roundtable: Benefits of implementing a diversity program" at the organization's annual meeting.

See below for upcoming Bar Association and other events, as well as recent publications:

• January 21, 2025
  Dobbs, Doubts and Looming Disasters: LGBTQ Rights in 2025 and Beyond
  New Jersey State Bar Association, LGBTQ Rights Section
  
  The panel will focus on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization and its impact on the LGBTQ+ community with respect to bodily autonomy, access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare, privacy, marriage, and family building. Further, the panel will discuss the potential impact of a pending U.S. Supreme Court case, U.S. v. Skrmetti, which may have broad consequences for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people in New Jersey and nationally.
  
  Speakers include Alexander Shalom, Partner; Chair, Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest.
  
  
• January 22, 2025
  DEI: Legal, Political, and Business Considerations in 2025
  Lowenstein Sandler LLP
  
  This insightful webinar will summarize the current legal, political, and business landscape for DEI in 2025. The speakers will:
• • Summarize existing case law and pending legal efforts to limit DEI initiatives
  • Discuss how various businesses have scaled back and are expected to modify their DEI initiatives in 2025
  • Offer recommendations and strategies for businesses to maintain programs in a legally compliant manner

Lowenstein speakers include Julie Levinson Werner, Partner; Vice Chair, Employment; Amy Komoroski Wiwi, partner; Amy C. Schwind, counsel; and Sandra Halbing, associate.

• January 28, 2025
  New Jersey State Bar Association Diversity Summit
  The New Jersey State Bar Association's popular annual event focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession returns on January 28 with a day filled with in-depth, practical conversations, inspiration and collegiality. With much of the recent national conversation focused on how DEI is disappearing in America, the 2025 NJSBA Diversity Summit goes back to basics: putting the moment in historic context, examining the challenges ahead, and remembering the outcomes that DEI policies, practices and procedures are aiming to achieve.

Partner Craig Dashiell and counsel Rasmeet K. Chahil will share insights on overcoming barriers to recruiting underrepresented talent; and partner Jean Nicolas "Nick" Samedi Jr., will discuss the impact of Employee Resource Groups and "Belonging" initiatives.

*This event is open to the public but requires a registration fee. For more information and to register click here.

Carr and many of the firm's attorneys are frequently sought out by top tier media outlets to comment on developments in the area of corporate diversity and inclusion efforts. Recent examples include:

• Carr told CNN that although many Fortune 500 companies are making changes to their DEI programs in response to online pressure, most are still committed to promoting inclusivity. "The modifications that these companies have incorporated were not major overhauls of the work, and the commitment to focusing on the core components of DEI work remained intact. " Her comments were also featured on News 7 Boston's story on McDonalds' recent policy changes. Carr will also be featured on PBS - North Texas discussing these issues on January 29, 2025.
• Freda L. Wolfson and Wayne Fang recently published "Promoting Diversity In The Selection Of ADR Neutrals," an article in Law360 discussing the lack of diversity among alternative dispute resolution neutrals, and offering practical tips on how to select neutrals from diverse backgrounds.
• Werner spoke to CFO about changing perceptions and applications of DEI policies and potential legal repercussions in 2025.