The Law Firm Antiracism Alliance is extremely disappointed in the US Supreme Court's rulings in the cases of Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. University of North Carolina. The Court’s decision that race can no longer be one of several considerations in admissions rolls back decades of important precedents and progress. Justice Brown Jackson’s dissent accurately states that “the race-blind admissions stance the Court mandates from this day forward is unmoored from critical real life circumstances.” The ruling ignores the continuing presence of racial inequality in our lives and will have far reaching implications for the pursuit of racial equality in higher education.

In her dissenting opinion, Justice Sotomayor rightfully recognized that “[t]rue equality of educational opportunity in racially diverse schools is an essential component of the fabric of our democratic society.” The LFAA agrees, and, as an organization formed by lawyers, emphasizes this is particularly true in law schools and the legal field. Lawyers have always wielded immense influence and power in the US government and nation as a whole. The LFAA is proud to have submitted an amicus brief in the SFFA case. In that brief, we highlighted the importance of a diverse legal system:

“Because of the crucial role lawyers play as public leaders and private legal advisors, continued racial-diversity efforts in universities, colleges, and law schools are imperative to continue the racial diversification of the legal profession. Only such racial diversification can ultimately achieve and ensure racial justice in the American legal system and in American society more broadly.”

In considering race, universities create learning environments that reflect the rich diversity of our society and cultivate leaders equipped to navigate our interconnected world. The LFAA’s amicus brief argues that “[r]ecruiting, promoting, and empowering more racially diverse lawyers. . . is essential to amplifying and empowering racially diverse voices in the institutions of power in America. To achieve those goals, law firms need a racially diverse “pipeline” of talent from colleges and universities.``

The LFAA firmly believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential pillars of a just society and strongly supports efforts to promote racial diversity in higher education and beyond. In light of the Court’s decision, we call on stakeholders, especially universities, law schools and law firms, to use this as an opportunity to renew their commitment to racial equity and diversity. The LFAA, and its Education Working Group, will continue its efforts towards achieving racial equity and diversity in higher education and beyond.

We encourage you to join our efforts.