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Since the SFFA decision, the threats of spite suits against organizations that dare have a diversity initiative have been on the rise. And while it sucks to know you’re courting a lawsuit, it is important to know that you are fighting the good fight. As expected, Perkins Coie is preparing its ranks to fight right-wing attack librarians that get in a tizzy over equity programs. Thankfully, they aren’t alone — they are joined by Morrison & Foerster. From Bloomberg Law:
Perkins Coie and Morrison & Foerster are building out their legal teams as the firms gear up to defend against the legal attacks by Edward Blum on their diversity fellowships.
Perkins Coie has hired attorneys from Jenner & Block and attorney Jared Eisenberg from Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann, a complex-litigation boutique based in Dallas.
Morrison & Foerster has retained representation from Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, which is teaming up with attorneys from Gelber Schachter & Greenberg, a Miami-founded boutique firm, according to a firm spokesperson.
Would you look at that! Maybe MoFo and Gibson Dunn didn’t back out as hard as previously thought! Does their change to less specific language on the diversity initiative still suck? Yes, but respect is due where it’s due. Teamwork makes the dream work, etc.
We look forward to following how the firm diversity initiatives change as the case develops. If you’d like to follow that on your own, the cases are American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Morrison & Foerster, S.D. Fla., No. 1:23-cv-23189, 8/22/23; and American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Perkins Coie, N.D. Tex., No. 3:23-cv-01877, 8/22/23; and American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Fearless Fund Management, LLC et al, No. 1:23-cv-03424 (N.D. Ga. 8/2/23.
Perkins Coie, Morrison & Foerster Lawyer Up for DEI Lawsuits [Bloomberg Law]
Earlier: Biglaw Caves: Morrison Foerster Changes Diversity Fellowship Criteria Following Lawsuit
Gibson Dunn Second Biglaw Firm To Cower From Threatened Affirmative Action Suit
Chris Williams became a social media manager and assistant editor for Above the Law in June 2021. Prior to joining the staff, he moonlighted as a minor Memelord™ in the Facebook group Law School Memes for Edgy T14s. He endured Missouri long enough to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. He is a former boatbuilder who cannot swim, a published author on critical race theory, philosophy, and humor, and has a love for cycling that occasionally annoys his peers. You can reach him by email at cwilliams@abovethelaw.com and by tweet at @WritesForRent.
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