Page 28 - Briefcase V36 Number 1
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SEPTEMBER












        DIVERSITY MAGAZINE RECOGNIZES UH LAW CENTER                UHLC was selected for its numerous diversity initiatives, including the
        FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW                                   Pre-Law Pipeline Program. The program, which recently completed its
                                                                   third year, was designed to prepare undergraduate students who are first
                                          The University of Houston   generation, low income or members of groups underrepresented in the legal
                                          Law Center is among five   profession for a career in law.
                                          law schools nationwide
                                          recognized for outstanding   “Many thanks to INSIGHT Into Diversity for recognizing the UHLC
                                          commitment to diversity and   and its efforts,” said Program Manager Kristen Guiseppi. “It is such
                                          inclusion by INSIGHT Into   an honor for us to receive this prestigious award for a second time.
                                          Diversity magazine. It marks   Diversity is such an important topic, and I am happy that we are able
                                          the second straight year that   to continue furthering the discussion, and fostering a culture where
                                          the Law Center has received   diversity is recognized and celebrated.”
                                          this recognition.
        The Law Center and the University of Houston were among 85 recipients   TEXAS SUPREME COURT CONDUCTS ORAL ARGUMENTS
        of the 2017 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award — the only   AT UH LAW CENTER
        national award honoring institutions for their efforts on behalf of diversity.   The Supreme Court of Texas convened at the University of Houston Law
        INSIGHT Into Diversity is the oldest and largest diversity-focused   Center’s Krost Hall to hear oral arguments in two cases involving parental
        publication in higher education.                           rights and mandatory arbitration.
        “It is a humbling experience for the Law Center to be recognized two years   “It was a special day for the Law Center, and we were delighted to have the
        in a row,” said Dean Leonard M. Baynes. “It shows that the Law Center’s   Texas Supreme Court here,” said Dean Leonard M. Baynes. “It gave our
        considerable efforts at diversity and inclusion are garnering notice. But   students a chance to see great lawyering and well-prepared and thoughtful
        most importantly, it is satisfying that our programs are having an impact in   judges. It was a tonic after Hurricane Harvey for so many of us that we’re
        everyday people’s lives.”                                  moving forward.”
        Institutions were selected for the HEED Award based on their initiatives   In the 19th century, when Texas first entered the Union, the state Supreme
        that embrace all aspects of diversity, including gender, race, ethnicity,   Court was required to sit only in the city of Austin. Occasionally, the
        veterans, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community.   Constitution would change to allow the court to sit elsewhere in Texas, but
        Award recipients for 2017 include community colleges, public and private   it wasn’t until the 1990s that an amendment passed in the legislature that
        schools, baccalaureate-granting institutions, graduate schools, and one   allowed the court to sit anywhere in the state anytime it chooses. It marked the
        school system.                                             first time in more than a decade that the court convened at the Law Center.
        “The HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous   “The court was pleased to hear oral arguments at the University of
        application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and   Houston Law Center,” said Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht. “We’ve had
        retention of students and employees — and best practices for both —   Law Center alums over the years serve on the court, like my good friend
        continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus   Raul Gonzalez who is now retired, and Justice Jeff Brown now. Justice
        diversity and inclusion,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT   Eva Guzman is a University of Houston graduate and honorary Law
        Into Diversity magazine.                                   Center alum, and former Blakely Advocacy Institute adjunct professor. We






















                                                   Texas Supreme Court with UH Law Center students
        28                                                                                                        Briefcase 2018
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