Diversity Speaker Series

As part of Kramer Levin’s ongoing Diversity Speaker Series, the firm hosted a number of events.

Leadership and the Law. The Diversity Committee hosted a Dec. 6 luncheon and discussion with New York University Law Professor Anthony C. Thompson to hear about his book Dangerous Leaders: How and Why Lawyers Must Be Taught to Lead (Stanford University Press, 2018). Professor Thompson teaches courses in criminal law and civil litigation, race, and leadership, and his scholarship has focused on race, offender re-entry, criminal justice issues and leadership, which he addresses in depth in his first book, Releasing Prisoners, Redeeming Communities (NYU Press, 2008). His most recent work examines leadership and the law, and he teaches a seminar examining the intersection of legal education and leadership in an increasingly globalized society, which exposes students to some fundamental leadership theory and skill development. Part of the Duke Corporate Education Global Learning Research Network, Professor Thompson has also provided executive education focused on leadership and strategy execution to a number of global companies. He has received a number of recognitions for his work, including the 2007 Podell Distinguished Teaching Award by NYU School of Law, the 2010 Martin Luther King Jr. Faculty Award and the 2010 New York University Distinguished Teaching Award. El Diario recognized him with its 2011 “The EL” award as one of the “outstanding Latinos in the tri-state area” for his community service. Professor Thompson earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School and his B.S.Ed. from Northwestern University.

 _{Anthony C. Thompson}                    

An Immigrant’s Experience. To spotlight the experiences of undocumented immigrants and their journeys to citizenship, the Diversity Committee hosted a discussion with Julissa Arce, author of My (Underground) American Dream (Center Street, 2016), on Oct. 12. Julissa, who has also spoken at TEDx, the White House Latino Policy Summit and the Forbes Reinventing America Summit, discussed her commitment to social justice, immigrant rights and education equality.

After immigrating to the United States from Mexico at age 11, Julissa was undocumented for nearly 15 years after her visa expired. The passage of the Texas DREAM Act enabled her to earn a college degree and a Wall Street internship. Julissa became a senior manager at Goldman Sachs, and is one of the few Hispanic women at that level. She is the co-creator and chair of the board of the Ascend Educational Fund, a college scholarship and mentorship program for immigrant students in New York City. 

All Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel participants received a copy of her best-selling book.

  
_{Julissa Arce}

Philly Justice. On Sept. 6, Dana Bazelon, senior policy counsel to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, talked about the city’s sweeping criminal justice reform initiatives. Dana addressed issues that included ending cash bail for minor offenses, over-supervision of individuals on probation and parole, and juvenile justice.

Dana drafts and implements policies to promote the DA’s criminal justice reform agenda, which is focused on reversing Philadelphia’s troubling status as the city with the highest number of juvenile lifers in the country and the third-largest number, per capita, of people on probation or parole. Among the initiatives Dana helped shape is the ending of cash bail for minor offenses and the removal of barriers for individuals seeking expungement.

_{Dana Bazelon}

Diversity on Corporate Boards. The Diversity Committee hosted a Jan. 30 luncheon and discussion with Professor Aaron Dhir, a Florence Rogatz visiting professor of law and Oscar M. Ruebhausen distinguished senior fellow at Yale Law School, as well as an associate professor, with tenure, at Osgoode Hall Law School. Professor Dhir spoke about his book Challenging Boardroom Homogeneity: Corporate Law, Governance, and Diversity. Professor Dhir’s scholarly interests center on corporate law, governance, theory and accountability. 

_{Professor Aaron Dhir}