A prominent U.S. law firm, Morrison & Foerster, has revised the eligibility criteria for its diversity fellowship program, which aims to promote diversity within the legal profession. This change comes after a conservative activist, known for his successful U.S. Supreme Court challenge against race-based considerations in college admissions, accused the firm of discriminating against white applicants.
The San Francisco-based firm has removed language from its program flyer that previously restricted the fellowship to only Black, Hispanic, Native American, or LGBT applicants. The updated criteria now emphasize the importance of applicants bringing a diverse perspective to the firm based on adaptability, cultural fluency, resilience, and life experiences.
The modification was made evident in a PDF flyer created on August 30, approximately a week after a legal group led by Edward Blum, known for his opposition to affirmative action, filed lawsuits against Morrison & Foerster and another major law firm. Blum’s group alleged that these diversity fellowships unlawfully excluded individuals based on their race.
The fellowship, known as the Keith Wetmore 1L Fellowship for Excellence, Diversity, and Inclusion, has been in place since 2012 and includes a paid summer-associate position, often leading to well-compensated full-time jobs in law firms upon graduation, along with a $50,000 stipend. The firm, with over 1,000 lawyers worldwide, has historically aimed to support the recruitment of individuals from historically underrepresented groups in the legal industry.
Edward Blum’s American Alliance for Equal Rights is awaiting a formal response from Morrison & Foerster regarding its motion for a preliminary injunction in district court. The law firm has not yet commented on the matter.
This legal challenge is part of a broader trend of increased scrutiny and legal action against corporate diversity programs following the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling. Blum’s previous lawsuits against Harvard and the University of North Carolina also played a role in shaping the legal landscape in this area. Another law firm, Perkins Coie, has been targeted by Blum’s group for a similar fellowship program and has expressed its intent to defend its commitment to diversity.