Section Newsletters

Articles on racial & ethnic minorities

Are We There Yet? Black Women Judges as a Benchmark for Illinois’ Progress Towards the Promise of a Fair and Impartial Judiciary By Judge Sherri Hale Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, May 2026 A tribute to the black women judges who have been trailblazers in Illinois' judicial history. 
Beyond Admissions: Why the Practicing Bar Must Lead on Legal Diversity in a Post-SFFA Era By Nicky Boothe Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, May 2026 In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard declared that race-based affirmative action in college admissions violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The ruling sent shockwaves through higher education, raising immediate concerns about the future of diversity in institutions—including law schools.
Letter From the Editor By Khara Coleman Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, May 2026 A letter from the Editor of The Challenge, highlighting the essence of REM, and the important role of advocacy, justice, and inclusion. 
More than Mindfulness: Judicial Wellness, Access to Justice, and Mitigating Impact on Vulnerable Groups By Judge Sherri Hale Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, May 2026 Courts are in a unique position of influence in our communities to lead change. A well-functioning judiciary exemplifies core values linked to integrity and public confidence in our system of justice under law. While the Illinois Supreme Court has taken the lead to champion well-being as a priority for the legal community, each circuit court should feel empowered to promote a culture that prioritizes balancing productivity, court management, and overall individual employee well-being. 
Cook County Hospital: A Lesson in the History and Diversity of Chicago By Hon. Geraldine D’Souza Diversity Leadership Council, June 2024 The Cook County Hospital Building was brought back to life as a hotel and includes an on-site museum that serves as a history lesson on medical care for the county's poor and disenfranchised.
Cook County Hospital: A Lesson in the History and Diversity of Chicago By Hon. Geraldine D’Souza Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, April 2024 The Cook County Hospital Building was brought back to life as a hotel and includes an on-site museum that serves as a history lesson on medical care for the county's poor and disenfranchised.
Appropriate Discomfort About ‘Comfort Women’ By Sharon L. Eiseman Diversity Leadership Council, June 2023 Reflections from a KAN-WIN event in August 2022 that educated the public about the forced servitude of "comfort women" during World War II.
Celebrating Women’s History Month By Juan R. Thomas Diversity Leadership Council, June 2023 A look at the economic disparities that still exist for women in the U.S. and around the world.
Reflections on the Life of Vernon Jordan: 1935-2021 By Sharon Eiseman Diversity Leadership Council, June 2023 A look at Vernon Jordan's life and work.
Sikh Americans Banned From Serving in the Marines Get a Reprieve By Hon. Geraldine D’Souza Diversity Leadership Council, June 2023 It took a recent federal court ruling to stop the U.S. Marine Corps practice of denying entry to Sikhs.
Sikh Americans Banned From Serving in the Marines Get a Reprieve By Hon. Geraldine D’Souza Human and Civil Rights, May 2023 It took a recent federal court ruling to stop the U.S. Marine Corps practice of denying entry to Sikhs.
Appropriate Discomfort About ‘Comfort Women’ By Sharon L. Eiseman Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, April 2023 Reflections from a KAN-WIN event in August 2022 that educated the public about the forced servitude of "comfort women" during World War II.
Celebrating Women’s History Month By Juan R. Thomas Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, April 2023 A look at the economic disparities that still exist for women in the U.S. and around the world.
Sikh Americans Banned From Serving in the Marines Get a Reprieve By Hon. Geraldine D’Souza Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, April 2023 It took a recent federal court ruling to stop the U.S. Marine Corps practice of denying entry to Sikhs.
Reflections on the Life of Vernon Jordan: 1935-2021 By Sharon Eiseman Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, October 2022 A look at Vernon Jordan's life and work.
Rule 8.4(g) Case Update: Eliminating Bias v. the First Amendment By Athena T. Taite Diversity Leadership Council, June 2022 The Supreme Court of Colorado issued an opinion on June 7, 2021, responding to an argument that its ethics rule, intended to address bias in the legal system, improperly limits free speech.
Spotlight on Hon. Brenda Claudio: The First Hispanic Judge in Kankakee County By Geraldine D’Souza Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, May 2022 In 2021, Judge Brenda Claudio became Kankakee County's first Hispanic judge.
An ‘Aha!’ Moment Leads to a Personal Crossroads: Deconstructing the Meaning of ‘Belonging’ and ‘Be Longing’ By Sharon Eiseman Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, September 2021 Reflections on what it means to belong.
Rule 8.4(g) Case Update: Eliminating Bias v. the First Amendment By Athena T. Taite Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, September 2021 The Supreme Court of Colorado issued an opinion on June 7, 2021, responding to an argument that its ethics rule, intended to address bias in the legal system, improperly limits free speech.
Recognizing the Past and Present Challenges Faced by Asian/Pacific Americans This Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month By Maryam Arfeen & Sharon Eiseman Law-Related Education for the Public, November 2020 A look at the historical legal challenges faced by Asian/Pacific Americans and the steep increase in discriminatory conduct and harassment against members of this community during the coronavirus pandemic. 
Recognizing the Past and Present Challenges Faced by Asian/Pacific Americans This Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month By Maryam Arfeen & Sharon Eiseman Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, September 2020 A look at the historical legal challenges faced by Asian/Pacific Americans and the steep increase in discriminatory conduct and harassment against members of this community during the coronavirus pandemic. 
Why Estate Planning Is Relevant to Minority Communities By Ebony R. Huddleston Elder Law, July 2020 By thinking of estate planning on a larger scale, minority communities can position themselves to retain more control over life and legacy.
Recognizing the Past and Present Challenges Faced by Asian/Pacific Americans This Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month By Maryam Arfeen & Sharon Eiseman Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, June 2020 A look at the historical legal challenges faced by Asian/Pacific Americans and the steep increase in discriminatory conduct and harassment against members of this community during the coronavirus pandemic. 
Why Estate Planning Is Relevant to Minority Communities By Ebony R. Huddleston Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, June 2020 By thinking of estate planning on a larger scale, minority communities can position themselves to retain more control over life and legacy.
Implicit Bias: How Far Are We Really? By Bianca B. Brown Young Lawyers Division, March 2020 Strides in diversity efforts have not sufficiently addressed implicit bias.
Do All Americans Deserve Birthright Citizenship? By Hon. Geraldine D’Souza Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, February 2020 A look at the history and future of birthright citizenship in the United States.
Implicit Bias: How Far Are We Really? By Bianca B. Brown Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, February 2020 Strides in diversity efforts have not sufficiently addressed implicit bias.
Why So Insecure? An Internal Reflection on the Gender-Racial Gap & Lower Self-Confidence By Sonni Choi Williams Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, February 2020 A look at the confidence gap between minority female attorneys and their white male counterparts.
Civil affairs By Darlene Strickland & Eugena A. Whitson-Owen Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, November 2002 "The opposing the opinions, and rectifying the mistakes of others, is what truth and charity sometimes require of us, and civility does not oppose, if it be done with due caution and care of circumstances."
Profiles: Justice Rita B. Garman Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, November 2002 Justice Garman started her path to distinction early on, graduating as class valedictorian from Oswego High School.

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