FIRM HOSTS 17TH ANNUAL DIVERSITY DINNER During the firm’s 17th Annual Diversity Dinner, Keynote Speaker Tina Tchen shared her favorite quote from a woman who received legal representation through Tina’s legal defense fund. “I feel brave…now that I have a lawyer, I feel brave,” the woman said in a Washington Post profile on her case.

“That is the thing we have uniquely as lawyers,” Tina told the audience of more than 200 Jenner & Block lawyers, summer associates, diversity scholars and guests. “We are given, as part of the franchise, a unique position to do in ways that no other profession in our community has and that is the ability to give that [bravery] to a person.”

The former chief of staff to First Lady Michelle Obama and leader of the Times Up Legal Defense Fund, an organization that addresses sexual assault, harassment and inequality in the workplace, Tina sat down for an interview moderated by Partner Reid Schar at the firm’s annual event.

She discussed growing up in Cleveland as a first-generation immigrant of Chinese refugees: “My father was deliberate in choosing an area that had very few Chinese because of the stories of discrimination and hostility that his Chinese friends and family who lived in the concentrated areas of the coasts were experiencing.”

She also spoke about working for the Obama Administration, the benefits of working with diverse teams and structural barriers that keep women and minorities from advancing in their careers. While at the White House, Tina worked on the Summit on Working Families, a series of initiatives the administration developed to promote diversity in the workplace.

“In order to stay economically competitive as a country, the United States has to get better at the issues…We are one of two countries in the world without a paid maternity leave policy,” she said, further explaining how the absence of a

maternity leave policy and the lack of affordable childcare are not sustainable for our workforce.

Tina also talked about helping to form the Times Up Legal Defense Fund last Fall. At the time, she was working in Los Angeles with women in Hollywood, planning for The United State of Women Summit, an initiative of the White House Council for Women and Girls. “They told me about an informal group of actresses coming together immediately in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein story to try to support one another, but also how they could use that moment to make sustainable change in their workplaces as well as for lower-income women who were speaking out.” Tina recalled reading letters women received from the lawyers of rich and powerful men, and those women being subjected

to “legal bullying” for speaking out on their assaults. “The only way to cut off the legal direct bullying is to get the women lawyers,” she said.

Tina went on to explain how vital it is to be consistently intentional to create change: “This isn’t a ‘diversity month initiative.’ This isn’t an ‘every other year we’re going to do sexual harassment training and forget about it in-between’.”

Asked to give advice to the summer associates and law students, Tina responded: “As lawyers, we have the unique ability to enrich what we do with pro bono work not just because it’s good to do. You also get to exercise and flex different muscles, use different skills and be engaged with clients and see immediate results.”

EQUAL TIMEF O C U S O N D I V E R S I T Y 2 0 1 8

Partner Reid Schar (left) interviews keynote speaker Tina Tchen at the 17th Annual Diversity Dinner

DIVERSITY SCHOLARS

During the Diversity Dinner, the firm introduced its 2018 Diversity Scholarship recipients. The scholars chosen are first-year law students who have demonstrated strong academic achievement and a commitment to community service. This year’s Diversity Scholars include: Alexis Grinstead, University of Chicago Law School; Emily Huang, University of Michigan Law School; Anisha Kingra, University of Illinois College of Law; Sobeida Peralta, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law; Eric Rodriguez, Stanford Law School; and the 2018 Grant Folland Scholar, University of Chicago law student André Washington.

JENNER & BLOCK WELCOMES FIVE PRE-LAW FELLOWS AS PART OF THE SPONSORS FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, the firm participates in Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, a diversity pipeline program that pairs diverse incoming law school students with top law firms for a 10-week fellowship the summer before they begin their first year of law school. This year, the firm welcomes five students to our Chicago, New York and Washington, DC offices.

Miguel Suarez Medina earned his B.A. in economics and history from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He completed his fellowship in our Chicago office and will be attending the University of Michigan Law School this fall.

Emely Luna earned her B.A. in sociology from Loyola Marymount University. She completed her fellowship in our New York office and will be attending Columbia Law School this fall.

Channing Gatewood earned her B.A. in music and public relations from American University. She completed her fellowship in our New York office and will be attending the University of Virginia School of Law this fall.

Erica Brackett earned her B.A. in psychology from George Washington University. She completed her fellowship in our Washington, DC office and will be attending Duke University School of Law this fall.

Raymond Simmons earned his B.A. in public policy from George Washington University. He completed his fellowship in our Washington, DC office and will be attending Harvard Law School this fall.

JENNER & BLOCK PILOTS THE ONTRACK SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

Jenner & Block is one of 10 law firms participating in the OnTrack Sponsorship Program as part of Diversity Lab’s 2016 Women in Law Hackathon hosted by Stanford Law School and sponsored by Bloomberg Law. OnTrack pairs partners with a core team made up of a practice group sponsor, a management level sponsor, an external coach and a client contact. This core team works with the participants on their own personalized leadership goals throughout the year. This year, five diverse partners across the firm’s global offices will join in the sponsorship program, with plans to scale up the program in the future. Firm partners participating include Kali N. Bracey, Chris C. Chiou, Elizabeth A. Edmondson, Kelly Hagedorn and Precious S. Jacobs.

CARISSA COZE NAMED A “TRUSTED ADVISER” BY THE RECORDER

Partner Carissa Coze was recognized by The Recorder as one of 13 California “Trusted Advisers”—noted as “individual lawyers who get the first call from clients contemplating

transformational transactions”—as part of its 2017 “Corporate Departments of the Year” list. Carissa received recognition on this prestigious list “for work on innovative sports and broadcasting technology deals.” A member of the highly acclaimed Content Media and Entertainment Practice, Carissa is an experienced dealmaker who focuses on M&A, joint ventures and strategic partnerships, and investments for media and technology companies.

FIRM TEAM ACHIEVES VICTORY IN VOTING RIGHTS CASE

Jenner & Block won a significant victory when a federal judge rejected the efforts of the American Civil Rights Union (ACRU)—a conservative organization devoted, in part, to rooting out “voter

fraud” in counties with large populations of racial minorities and Democratic-leaning swing state counties—to purge voters from Broward County’s rolls. In American Civil Rights Union v. Brenda Snipes, the ACRU alleged that Broward County’s supervisor of elections, Dr. Brenda Snipes, failed to maintain accurate voter rolls and violated Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act; the group sought a court order requiring Dr. Snipes to purge voters. In 2016, the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East union intervened in support of Dr. Snipes and Broward County voters. The firm represented United Healthcare on a pro bono basis.

After a five-day trial in July 2017, the court found every piece of evidence offered by ACRU unconvincing, concluded that its accusations were thoroughly unfounded and held that Broward County’s voter list maintenance program was fully compliant with federal law. On March 30, 2018, Judge Beth Bloom ruled in Dr. Snipes’ and SEUI’s favor. In doing so, the judge wrote that Dr. Snipes “implemented a general program that makes a reasonable effort to remove the names of ineligible voters from the official lists of eligible voters by reason of death or change of address.” The judge also held that the ACRU failed to prove a violation of Section 8 of the NVRA. The Jenner & Block team includes Partner Kali N. Bracey and Associate Tassity S. Johnson.

BRIJ PATNAIK HONORED WITH PUBLIC INTEREST LAW INITIATIVE FELLOW ALUMNI AWARD

Associate Brij B. Patnaik was selected for the 2017 Distinguished Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) Fellow Alumni Award for his

outstanding contributions of public interest and/or pro bono work. In his profile, Brij is celebrated for his commitment to service, specifically highlighting his pro bono work with firm client Adam Gray, who was sentenced to life in prison at the age of 14 for purportedly setting a fire in a Chicago apartment building that killed two people. Twenty years later, Brij obtained records of chemistry testing not disclosed at trial that proved the central elements of Mr. Gray’s confession could not be true, leading the Illinois Appellate Court to overturn Adam’s conviction and grant him his freedom in 2017.

ELEVATED PARTNER

Devi M. Rao was elevated to partner in a diverse 2018 class of lawyers. Sixty-four percent of the 14 newly elevated partners identify as ethnically diverse, LGBT and/or women. Devi is a member of the Appellate and Supreme Court Practice.

JOLENE NEGRE DISCUSSES CRYPTOCURRENCIES

Partner Jolene E. Negre presented as a panelist at the Hispanic National Bar Association’s Corporate Counsel Conference. In her session on bitcoins, blockchains and cryptotechs, Jolene discussed the current state of cryptocurrency and distributed ledger technology, where the technology is headed, forecasts regarding statutory and

regulatory developments, and the recent statements by the SEC staff, chairman and commissioners regarding initial coin offerings (ICOs) and related issues. In addition to being a partner in the Corporate Department, Ms. Negre is also part of the firm’s new FinTech Industry Group. The group focuses on advising FinTech companies and businesses that rely on financial technology to navigate challenges in this increasingly complex area of commerce. They counsel clients on an array of sophisticated issues relating to cryptocurrencies, ICOs and blockchain and distributed ledger technology. The group also represents peer-to-peer payment companies, online and marketplace lenders and others. Among the group’s 27 members are Partners Ishan K. Bhabha, Kali N. Bracey, Jolene E. Negre, Edward L. Prokop and Damon Y. Smith and Associate Jessica A. Martinez.

LARUE ROBINSON: MAKING AN IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY

Associate LaRue L. Robinson is making his mark in the Chicago community. In April 2018, LaRue was honored as one of Chicago’s top “35 under 35” young professionals leading the civic, corporate, nonprofit and tech industries. The award was presented to LaRue by

Chicago Scholars, an organization dedicated to helping first generation college students to and through college. He is a member of the organization’s associate board. In addition, LaRue was recently elected to serve a three-year term on the Grant Park Orchestral Association board, which oversees the association’s programs and services. Among the association’s programs is the Grant Park Music Festival, the nation’s only free, summer-long, outdoor classical music series of its kind.

Earlier this year, LaRue was featured on an episode of “Beyond the Uniform,” a podcast that highlights veterans who have successfully transitioned to civilian career and life. LaRue detailed his experience transitioning from active duty in the Army JAG Corps to private practice and Jenner & Block. He also discussed how being a veteran has helped him in his career, common questions he’s asked by other transitioning military members and what a typical day looks like for him. “The good thing about the transition was the ability to focus on one specific area of law,” LaRue said. “I’ve also appreciated the ability to settle in one place and build connections in that area.”

JONATHAN DIAZ JOINS FIRM TEAM IN REPRESENTING THE NAACP AND PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND

Associate Jonathan M. Diaz is part of a firm team representing the NAACP and Prince

George’s County, Maryland in a lawsuit against the federal government over unconstitutionally deficient preparations for the 2020 Census. Filed on March 28, 2018 in the US District Court for the District of Maryland, the lawsuit aims to combat the impending threat that the Census Bureau’s preparations for the 2020 Census are unconstitutionally deficient and will lead to an unprecedented undercount of minority communities and other historically hard-to-count populations. Such an undercount would lead to inequalities in political representation and federal funding. Together with the Rule of Law Clinic at Yale Law School, the firm is representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which, in addition to the NAACP and Prince George’s County, also includes the NAACP Prince George’s County Branch and two county residents.

Census results determine the number of congressional seats each state receives, the redrawing of legislative district lines and the enfrocement of voting rights. The federal government also uses Census data to distribute federal funding. The lawsuit seeks to compel the Bureau of the Census, an agency within the Department of Commerce, to prepare for and conduct, a full and fair 2020 Census, as the Constitution requires.

PRECIOUS JACOBS NAMED A 2018 LEADERSHIP COUNCIL ON LEGAL DIVERSITY FELLOW

Partner Precious S. Jacobs has been selected for the 2018 Fellows Program of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity

(LCLD), a national organization comprises corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who are committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive legal profession. Precious joins a class of more than 290 lawyers. The LCLD Fellows Program has trained more than a thousand mid-career lawyers since its launch in 2011. According to LCLD President Robert J. Grey, Jr., the Fellows Program offers participants “a year-long, in-depth program devoted to relationship-building, in-person training, peer-group projects and extensive contact with LCLD’s top leadership and the best teachers in the business.” Past members of the LCLD Fellows Program include Partner Jolene E. Negre. Precious is a member of the firm’s Bankruptcy Litigation, Class Action and Complex Commercial Litigation Practices. She also serves as a member of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

EQUAL TIME FOCUS ON DIVERSIT Y 2018

Miguel Suarez Medina Channing GatewoodEmely Luna Erica Brackett Raymond Simmons

Carissa Coze

Brij Patnaik

Devi Rao Jolene Negre

Leonard Powell

LaRue Robinson

Jonathan Diaz

Kali Bracey Tassity Johnson

Precious Jacobs

LEONARD POWELL TALKS TRIBAL NATION’S RIGHTS

Associate Leonard R. Powell presented at the Federal Bar Association’s 43rd Annual Indian Law Conference. He participated in a plenary discussion titled “I Have Too Many Bosses – The Ethics of Representing Tribes.” A member and former elected official of the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians, Leonard shared insight on how best to protect and secure

the rights of tribal nations and evaluate effective practices for establishing a secure future for Indian Law and tribal sovereignty.

Leonard is also a member of the firm’s newly formed Indian Law Practice. In March this year, he joined a team of lawyers who represented the National Congress of American Indians and Indian Tribes in South Dakota, filing an amicus brief for the US Supreme Court in South Dakota v. Wayfair that highlighted the case’s implications for tax policy in Indian country, South Dakota and nationwide—helping to safeguard tribes’ taxing power and immunity from state sales taxes in the process.

JENNER & BLOCK WELCOMES FIVE PRE-LAW FELLOWS AS PART OF THE SPONSORS FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, the firm participates in Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, a diversity pipeline program that pairs diverse incoming law school students with top law firms for a 10-week fellowship the summer before they begin their first year of law school. This year, the firm welcomes five students to our Chicago, New York and Washington, DC offices.

Miguel Suarez Medina earned his B.A. in economics and history from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He completed his fellowship in our Chicago office and will be attending the University of Michigan Law School this fall.

Emely Luna earned her B.A. in sociology from Loyola Marymount University. She completed her fellowship in our New York office and will be attending Columbia Law School this fall.

Channing Gatewood earned her B.A. in music and public relations from American University. She completed her fellowship in our New York office and will be attending the University of Virginia School of Law this fall.

Erica Brackett earned her B.A. in psychology from George Washington University. She completed her fellowship in our Washington, DC office and will be attending Duke University School of Law this fall.

Raymond Simmons earned his B.A. in public policy from George Washington University. He completed his fellowship in our Washington, DC office and will be attending Harvard Law School this fall.

JENNER & BLOCK PILOTS THE ONTRACK SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

Jenner & Block is one of 10 law firms participating in the OnTrack Sponsorship Program as part of Diversity Lab’s 2016 Women in Law Hackathon hosted by Stanford Law School and sponsored by Bloomberg Law. OnTrack pairs partners with a core team made up of a practice group sponsor, a management level sponsor, an external coach and a client contact. This core team works with the participants on their own personalized leadership goals throughout the year. This year, five diverse partners across the firm’s global offices will join in the sponsorship program, with plans to scale up the program in the future. Firm partners participating include Kali N. Bracey, Chris C. Chiou, Elizabeth A. Edmondson, Kelly Hagedorn and Precious S. Jacobs.

CARISSA COZE NAMED A “TRUSTED ADVISER” BY THE RECORDER

Partner Carissa Coze was recognized by The Recorder as one of 13 California “Trusted Advisers”—noted as “individual lawyers who get the first call from clients contemplating

transformational transactions”—as part of its 2017 “Corporate Departments of the Year” list. Carissa received recognition on this prestigious list “for work on innovative sports and broadcasting technology deals.” A member of the highly acclaimed Content Media and Entertainment Practice, Carissa is an experienced dealmaker who focuses on M&A, joint ventures and strategic partnerships, and investments for media and technology companies.

FIRM TEAM ACHIEVES VICTORY IN VOTING RIGHTS CASE

Jenner & Block won a significant victory when a federal judge rejected the efforts of the American Civil Rights Union (ACRU)—a conservative organization devoted, in part, to rooting out “voter

fraud” in counties with large populations of racial minorities and Democratic-leaning swing state counties—to purge voters from Broward County’s rolls. In American Civil Rights Union v. Brenda Snipes, the ACRU alleged that Broward County’s supervisor of elections, Dr. Brenda Snipes, failed to maintain accurate voter rolls and violated Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act; the group sought a court order requiring Dr. Snipes to purge voters. In 2016, the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East union intervened in support of Dr. Snipes and Broward County voters. The firm represented United Healthcare on a pro bono basis.

After a five-day trial in July 2017, the court found every piece of evidence offered by ACRU unconvincing, concluded that its accusations were thoroughly unfounded and held that Broward County’s voter list maintenance program was fully compliant with federal law. On March 30, 2018, Judge Beth Bloom ruled in Dr. Snipes’ and SEUI’s favor. In doing so, the judge wrote that Dr. Snipes “implemented a general program that makes a reasonable effort to remove the names of ineligible voters from the official lists of eligible voters by reason of death or change of address.” The judge also held that the ACRU failed to prove a violation of Section 8 of the NVRA. The Jenner & Block team includes Partner Kali N. Bracey and Associate Tassity S. Johnson.

BRIJ PATNAIK HONORED WITH PUBLIC INTEREST LAW INITIATIVE FELLOW ALUMNI AWARD

Associate Brij B. Patnaik was selected for the 2017 Distinguished Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) Fellow Alumni Award for his

outstanding contributions of public interest and/or pro bono work. In his profile, Brij is celebrated for his commitment to service, specifically highlighting his pro bono work with firm client Adam Gray, who was sentenced to life in prison at the age of 14 for purportedly setting a fire in a Chicago apartment building that killed two people. Twenty years later, Brij obtained records of chemistry testing not disclosed at trial that proved the central elements of Mr. Gray’s confession could not be true, leading the Illinois Appellate Court to overturn Adam’s conviction and grant him his freedom in 2017.

ELEVATED PARTNER

Devi M. Rao was elevated to partner in a diverse 2018 class of lawyers. Sixty-four percent of the 14 newly elevated partners identify as ethnically diverse, LGBT and/or women. Devi is a member of the Appellate and Supreme Court Practice.

JOLENE NEGRE DISCUSSES CRYPTOCURRENCIES

Partner Jolene E. Negre presented as a panelist at the Hispanic National Bar Association’s Corporate Counsel Conference. In her session on bitcoins, blockchains and cryptotechs, Jolene discussed the current state of cryptocurrency and distributed ledger technology, where the technology is headed, forecasts regarding statutory and

regulatory developments, and the recent statements by the SEC staff, chairman and commissioners regarding initial coin offerings (ICOs) and related issues. In addition to being a partner in the Corporate Department, Ms. Negre is also part of the firm’s new FinTech Industry Group. The group focuses on advising FinTech companies and businesses that rely on financial technology to navigate challenges in this increasingly complex area of commerce. They counsel clients on an array of sophisticated issues relating to cryptocurrencies, ICOs and blockchain and distributed ledger technology. The group also represents peer-to-peer payment companies, online and marketplace lenders and others. Among the group’s 27 members are Partners Ishan K. Bhabha, Kali N. Bracey, Jolene E. Negre, Edward L. Prokop and Damon Y. Smith and Associate Jessica A. Martinez.

LARUE ROBINSON: MAKING AN IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY

Associate LaRue L. Robinson is making his mark in the Chicago community. In April 2018, LaRue was honored as one of Chicago’s top “35 under 35” young professionals leading the civic, corporate, nonprofit and tech industries. The award was presented to LaRue by

Chicago Scholars, an organization dedicated to helping first generation college students to and through college. He is a member of the organization’s associate board. In addition, LaRue was recently elected to serve a three-year term on the Grant Park Orchestral Association board, which oversees the association’s programs and services. Among the association’s programs is the Grant Park Music Festival, the nation’s only free, summer-long, outdoor classical music series of its kind.

Earlier this year, LaRue was featured on an episode of “Beyond the Uniform,” a podcast that highlights veterans who have successfully transitioned to civilian career and life. LaRue detailed his experience transitioning from active duty in the Army JAG Corps to private practice and Jenner & Block. He also discussed how being a veteran has helped him in his career, common questions he’s asked by other transitioning military members and what a typical day looks like for him. “The good thing about the transition was the ability to focus on one specific area of law,” LaRue said. “I’ve also appreciated the ability to settle in one place and build connections in that area.”

JONATHAN DIAZ JOINS FIRM TEAM IN REPRESENTING THE NAACP AND PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND

Associate Jonathan M. Diaz is part of a firm team representing the NAACP and Prince

George’s County, Maryland in a lawsuit against the federal government over unconstitutionally deficient preparations for the 2020 Census. Filed on March 28, 2018 in the US District Court for the District of Maryland, the lawsuit aims to combat the impending threat that the Census Bureau’s preparations for the 2020 Census are unconstitutionally deficient and will lead to an unprecedented undercount of minority communities and other historically hard-to-count populations. Such an undercount would lead to inequalities in political representation and federal funding. Together with the Rule of Law Clinic at Yale Law School, the firm is representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which, in addition to the NAACP and Prince George’s County, also includes the NAACP Prince George’s County Branch and two county residents.

Census results determine the number of congressional seats each state receives, the redrawing of legislative district lines and the enfrocement of voting rights. The federal government also uses Census data to distribute federal funding. The lawsuit seeks to compel the Bureau of the Census, an agency within the Department of Commerce, to prepare for and conduct, a full and fair 2020 Census, as the Constitution requires.

PRECIOUS JACOBS NAMED A 2018 LEADERSHIP COUNCIL ON LEGAL DIVERSITY FELLOW

Partner Precious S. Jacobs has been selected for the 2018 Fellows Program of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity

(LCLD), a national organization comprises corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who are committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive legal profession. Precious joins a class of more than 290 lawyers. The LCLD Fellows Program has trained more than a thousand mid-career lawyers since its launch in 2011. According to LCLD President Robert J. Grey, Jr., the Fellows Program offers participants “a year-long, in-depth program devoted to relationship-building, in-person training, peer-group projects and extensive contact with LCLD’s top leadership and the best teachers in the business.” Past members of the LCLD Fellows Program include Partner Jolene E. Negre. Precious is a member of the firm’s Bankruptcy Litigation, Class Action and Complex Commercial Litigation Practices. She also serves as a member of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

EQUAL TIME FOCUS ON DIVERSIT Y 2018

Miguel Suarez Medina Channing GatewoodEmely Luna Erica Brackett Raymond Simmons

Carissa Coze

Brij Patnaik

Devi Rao Jolene Negre

Leonard Powell

LaRue Robinson

Jonathan Diaz

Kali Bracey Tassity Johnson

Precious Jacobs

LEONARD POWELL TALKS TRIBAL NATION’S RIGHTS

Associate Leonard R. Powell presented at the Federal Bar Association’s 43rd Annual Indian Law Conference. He participated in a plenary discussion titled “I Have Too Many Bosses – The Ethics of Representing Tribes.” A member and former elected official of the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians, Leonard shared insight on how best to protect and secure

the rights of tribal nations and evaluate effective practices for establishing a secure future for Indian Law and tribal sovereignty.

Leonard is also a member of the firm’s newly formed Indian Law Practice. In March this year, he joined a team of lawyers who represented the National Congress of American Indians and Indian Tribes in South Dakota, filing an amicus brief for the US Supreme Court in South Dakota v. Wayfair that highlighted the case’s implications for tax policy in Indian country, South Dakota and nationwide—helping to safeguard tribes’ taxing power and immunity from state sales taxes in the process.

RECOGNITIONS2018 Illinois Super LawyersReginald J. Hill, Intellectual Property Litigation Gabriel A. Fuentes, Criminal Defense: White Collar

Chambers USAMichael P. McNamara

Leading LawyersGabriel A. Fuentes

Legal 500Raymond D. Sinnappan

© 2018 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication. The attorney responsible for this publication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

2018 DIVERSITY SPEAKER SERIES EVENTS

On May 21, guest speaker Sam Mihara visited Chicago to headline the firm’s first installment of the 2018 Diversity Speaker Series.

In 1942, Sam and his family were among more than 120,000 Japanese-Americans who were loaded on to trains and sent to internment camps across the United States. They would spend the next three years in Heart Mountain, Wyoming, where they shared a single bedroom in one of the 450-plus barracks in the camp.

Today, Sam is a national speaker whose talks focus on his family’s imprisonment, the conditions for prisoners and their eventual release and return home, current detainment camps for Central American refugees and the possibility of a similar civil rights abuse in contemporary times. He discussed the dehumanizing conditions of the internment camp, from open-stall bathrooms and poor food quality to designated prisoner numbers.

“When the police or the military police come and remove you from your home, you have lost liberty. You are being detained. And when they do that without any justice, not even a hearing, they are in violation of the most important aspect of your constitutional right,” Sam said as he gestured to photos of Japanese families and children on their way to internment camps.

Following Sam’s presentation, Yale Law Professor James Forman, Jr. visited the firm’s New York office on June 4 for the second installment of the Diversity Speaker Series. James discussed his 2018 Pulitzer Prize-winning book Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America. He started his presentation by sharing his motivation for writing the book, which chronicles the war on crime that began in the 1970s and why it was supported by many African American elected officials in the nation’s urban centers.

“I wanted to write a book that captured the diversity and complexity of perspectives within the black community,” he said.

During his presentation, James discussed mass incarceration of African American men and women; the constraints on the first substantial cohort of African American mayors, judges and police chiefs amid the surge in crime and drug addiction; and shared stories from his book about the cases he worked on as a former public defender in Washington, DC.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Firm Lawyers Weigh In on Judicial ClerkshipsPartner Ishan Bhabha and Associate Ravi Ramanathan recently spoke on judicial clerkships during various panel discussion events. Ravi Ramanathan joined Harvard Law School’s Asian Pacific American Law Student Association for an information session on judicial clerkships. He shared insight on how he made his decision to clerk, where he decided to clerk, benefits gained from clerking, and how to navigate diversity and identity issues during the clerkship process. Ishan presented on the topic at a panel discussion during the South Asian Bar Association’s 15th annual convention in New York. He shared insight on diversity among law clerks and why diversity matters in clerkship hiring matters.

Ramon Villalpando Presents at the ABA Judicial Intern Opportunity Program OrientationAssociate Ramon Villalpando moderated a panel discussion at the ABA’s Chicago orientation for the Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP). He discussed law firm interview tips and also presented as a panelist to share insights on JIOP alumni mentoring and professional development.

Blake Sercye Shares Insight on Succeeding in Corporate Firm Environments Associate Blake P. Sercye participated in a “1L Diversity Practice Group” panel for the University of Chicago’s Latino Law Student Association. He shared advice on how diverse students can thrive in large corporate law firms and tips on deciding where to work.

Firm Lawyers Team Up to Discuss Potential Legal Issues Entreprenuers Should KnowAssociates Ren-How H. Harn and Gina B. Lawrence co-presented a workshop, with Partner Justin C. Steffen, to 1871, a community of entrepreneurs on their path to building high-growth, sustainable businesses that serve as platforms for economic development and civic leadership in Chicago. They discussed legal issues about which new and emerging tech entrepreneurs should be aware. Specifically, the workshop addressed three areas: (1) intellectual property issues and protection; (2) incorporations and protecting your business; and (3) regulatory issue-spotting.

Sam Mihara (left) and Professor James Forman, Jr. (right) present at the firm’s 2018 Diversity Speaker Series