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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
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