Bar Communities
Seeking Equal Justice and Addressing Racism and Racial Bias Committee
The purpose of the Seeking Equal Justice and Addressing Racism and Racial Bias Committee is to consider, analyze, strategize, and recommend to the Executive Committee and the Board of Governors how best to:
- Engage, listen and learn from all who are willing to share their experiences with bigotry and racism;
- Identify, address and eradicate bigotry, racism, and racial bias in the administration of justice in this state;
- Encourage, partner with and assist local Bar associations and other law-related organizations, entities and agencies to accomplish these goals state wide; and
- Otherwise ensure an equal system of justice for all. In addition, this committee shall assist the Executive Committee and the Board of Governors in the execution and implementation of the above enumerated actions.
Tell Your Story
The Seeking Equal Justice Committee presents Tell Your Story, an interview series highlighting the individual experiences of lawyers and judges as they relate to equal justice and racism and racial bias.
In the second installment of the series, Committee Member Nyonnohweah Seekie interviews former Supreme Court of Georgia Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears, partner, Smith, Gambrell & Russell LLP. Justice Sears shares her experiences with diversity as a child in Germany and the United States and provides background about her family of origin. She also discusses expectations of her as a Black woman and recounts her journey to become the first African American female state Supreme Court Chief Justice in the United States.
Previous "Tell Your Story" Interviews
Hon. Lawton E. Stephens interview video
Conversations
This series encourages dialogue on the sensitive topics surrounding race and ultimately create a better understanding of the differing views surrounding this issue.
The first conversation highlighted CK Hoffler of The CK Hoffler Firm and president of the National Bar Association, and Jonathan Ringel, managing editor of the Daily Report, moderated by Anita Wallace Thomas of Nelson Mullins. Hoffler and Ringel, along with representatives from the Daily Report's parent company, discussed a racially insensitive headline that ran in an issue of the Daily Report.
The second conversation, Black Lives Matter vs. Blue Lives Matter, was held on Jan. 25, and the discussion was led by Thomas F. Cuffie, Cuffie Law Firm, former law officer and detective, Atlanta City Council member; Tasha Mosley, district attorney, Clayton County; and Tiffany W. Roberts, community engagement, movement-building counsel.
Committee member Miguel Dominguez leads a conversation that highlights Latinos in law.
Get Involved!
If you would like to get involved with the committee or have ideas you'd like to share, please contact Committee Chair Anita Wallace Thomas or another committee member.
A Message from the State Bar of Georgia
2020-21 State Bar President Dawn M. Jones said, "... we are steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding equal justice and the rule of law."