It seems every profession and industry face challenges in working to promote their employees’ and society’s concerns about dignity and equality while following the law.  This includes those advising companies on how to follow the law.  A good example of this comes from an article discussing the dismissal of a lawsuit against the white-shoe law firm Perkins Coie.  Perkins Coie announced a diversity fellowship program that was limited to students of color, those who identified as LGBTQ+, or those with disabilities.  The American Alliance for Equal Rights (the “Alliance”) brought suit against Perkins Coie.  After the lawsuit was filed, Perkins Coie announced that the fellowship would be open to all law students regardless of race and the Alliance dropped its lawsuit.

The legal dispute highlights the hazards in the DEI-space.  Despite good intentions, a company or law firm might walk itself into illegality.