Graphic: Statue of eagle at Washburn Law.

Broadening the Bench: Diversity and Our Courts Panel Discussion

The Center for Law and Government and the Center for Excellence in Advocacy at Washburn University School of Law and the Washburn Law Clinic, in conjunction with law school's Diversity Committee, are pleased to host the panel discussion "Broadening the Bench: Diversity and Our Courts" on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 from 3:15-6:15 p.m. A reception will follow to provide a networking opportunity. The program will be held at Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center at SW 17th Street and SW Jewell Avenue on the Washburn University Campus (map). Free parking is available south and west of Bradbury.

About the Program

According to the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration, racial minorities constitute only 3 percent of the 287 judges at the district, appellate, and Supreme Court level – representation far below the 23 percent of the non-white population. The statistics for Missouri are similar. Moreover, a recent report by the U.S. Census Bureau noted that America will become a "majority-minority" nation by 2044, with no one racial group accounting for the majority of the population. As our region and our nation’s population becomes more diverse, our courts must evolve to reflect and represent a multiracial America.

This session will bring together a distinguished panel of Kansas and Missouri jurists from diverse backgrounds. The federal and state panel discussions will concentrate on why diversity matters to the courts and to the future of the legal system. The judges will give their views from the bench and will discuss the need for increased diversity in the legal community. The discussion will also address the recruitment and retention of diverse attorneys to the bench.

Schedule

3:15 p.m. – Federal Court Panel

Photograph: Brian Wimes. Photograph: Gwynne Birzer. Photograph: Jon Gray.

  • The Honorable Brian C. Wimes, U.S. District Court, Western and Eastern Districts of Missouri (Learn more)
  • The Honorable Gwynne E. Birzer, '92, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Kansas (Learn more)
  • Moderator: Jon R. Gray, (Retired Judge, Sixteenth Judicial Circuit of Missouri); Partner, Shook, Hardy & Bacon (Learn more)

4:40 – Break

4:45 – State Court Panel

Photograph: Henry Green Jr.. Photograph: Maritza Segarra. Photograph: Cheryl Rios Kingfisher. Photograph: Jon Gray.

  • The Honorable Henry W. Green, Jr., Kansas Court of Appeals (Learn more)
  • The Honorable Maritza Segarra, '88, 8th Judicial District of Kansas (Learn more)
  • The Honorable Cheryl A. Rios, '93, 3rd Judicial District of Kansas (Learn more)
  • Moderator: Jon R. Gray, (Retired Judge, Sixteenth Judicial Circuit of Missouri); Partner, Shook, Hardy & Bacon

6:10 p.m. – Reception

Short URL for this page:
http://washburnlaw.edu/judicialdiversity

Date / Location

Date:
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
3:15 p.m.: Panel Discussion
6:10 p.m.: Reception
6:45 p.m.: Adjourn

Location:
Washburn University
Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center
Parking: south and west of Bradbury.
Get Map

Assistance for Special Needs

Assistance for Special Needs:
If you require special services or auxiliary aids to assist you while attending the event, please call Donna Vilander at (785) 670-1105.

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