Pending SCOTUS Cases on Race-Based Admissions in College Could Have Chilling Effect on Big Law Diversity Efforts
Sheppard Mullin Labor & Employment partner Kevin Cloutier was quoted in the Corporate Counsel article, “Looming SCOTUS Ruling May Have Chilling Effect on Big Law Diversity Efforts,” which looked at whether the expected decision overturning affirmative action in two race-based college admissions cases at the U.S. Supreme Court would have any impact diversity programs in legal departments and law firms.
“While these cases are limited to the relatively narrow scope of college admissions, the court’s decision may be instructive to private employers and will likely have implications beyond the classroom,” Cloutier told Corporate Counsel.
But Cloutier doubts law firms and other private employers who are committed to diversity would be deterred by any unfavorable DEI court decision. “Will private employers affirmatively stop DEI initiatives? I don’t think so,” he said. “They might reword some things, but the tide is really strong in favor of diversity programs.”
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