Prof. Levitt Delivers Constitution Day Talk: 'The Work of Democracy'
Fritz B. Burns Dean Brietta Clark debuted a new academic year of her Dean's Den conversation series with a special Constitution Day talk, "The Work of Democracy," by Professor Justin Levitt, Gerald T. McLaughlin Fellow. In his remarks, Levitt articulated the power of a living, breathing governing document that requires constant tending. "We have a republic, but it's on us to keep it. Democracy is an action verb," he said to a rapt full house of students and faculty members. "Thank you all so much for putting in the work. You hold more power than you know."
Facing unprecedented tests on the eve of the nation's 250th anniversary, the Constitution is attracting more attention than ever. That is no surprise. "Democracy is the infrastructure of infrastructure," said Levitt. "Most people only notice when something goes wrong."
Law in Focus
The Law in Focus video series is a forum for LLS faculty to discuss their research on legal topics making headlines. In the first installment, Professor Stephanie Bornstein shares five things to know about DEI and the law following President Trump's executive orders against DEI in the public and private sectors. Learn more at The Legal DEI Project, an educational initiative co-founded by Bornstein and Associate Dean for Research Tristin Green at lls.edu/legaldeiproject/, which says in part:
DEI is not illegal. Discrimination is.
With all the attention on so-called “illegal DEI,” employers may wonder about what’s missing: straightforward discussion of what nondiscrimination laws permit and require. As legal scholars and educators with expertise in employment discrimination law, our aim is to provide that guidance.
Executive orders issued by President Trump and recent positions taken by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) make employer “DEI” initiatives seem risky. But many practices that fall under that label are both lawful and helpful in promoting fair, nondiscriminatory workplaces. Employers who respond to the current Administration by suspending efforts to promote diverse and inclusive workplaces may ultimately increase, rather than decrease, their risk of legal liability for discrimination.
LLS Faculty are Top Scholars Impacting Policy and Law
Across a wide range of fields, LLS Faculty publish in top journals and take their research to the world. See below for just some of what’s been going on around scholarship and impact at LLS: