Edward Blum, the activist known for his involvement in affirmative action cases in the United States, has initiated lawsuits against prominent legal firms. These legal actions are related to allegations of limiting eligibility for paid fellowships aimed at supporting the recruitment of individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, including people of color.
Blum, who is white, stated that excluding students from these prestigious fellowships based on their race is unjust, divisive, and against the law.
Perkins Coie, headquartered in Seattle, offers “diversity fellowships” that grant stipends ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 along with paid positions as summer associates. These positions can often lead to high-paying, full-time roles at major law firms. The fellowships are aimed at historically underrepresented groups in the legal profession, such as students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities.
Morrison & Foerster, a global corporate law firm with over 1,000 lawyers worldwide, also has a similar program targeted at Black, Hispanic, Native American, and LGBT applicants. This program includes a paid summer-associate position and a stipend of $50,000.
The lawsuits argue that the fellowships’ eligibility criteria, based on race, are in violation of Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. This federal law, enacted after the American Civil War, prohibits racial discrimination in private contracts.
These legal actions come in the midst of a surge in challenges to corporate diversity initiatives following a Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action. Companies like Activision Blizzard, Kellogg, and Gannett are currently facing similar complaints.
Blum’s American Alliance for Equal Rights, based in Texas, has also recently filed a lawsuit against Fearless Fund, a venture capital fund in Atlanta. The lawsuit alleges that the fund’s grant competition unlawfully restricted eligibility to only Black women, violating the same contracting law.