Diversity

Judge Melissa R. DuBose’s Historic Approval Paves the Way for Diversity on Rhode Island’s Federal Bench

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Providence, Rhode Island – The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary has given its approval to the nomination of District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to the federal bench. With a vote of 12-9, mainly along party lines, DuBose is now one step closer to taking the U.S. District Court seat relinquished by Judge William E. Smith. If the nomination is confirmed by the full Senate, DuBose will make history as Rhode Island’s first person of color and LGBTQ+ judge. DuBose’s nomination was put forward by President Joe Biden in January, following the recommendation of … Read more

Major Banks Slash Diversity and Inclusion Programs Amid Legal Disputes

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New York, NY – Major financial institutions Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase have reportedly reduced their efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) following threats of lawsuits. The move has sparked concerns about the commitment of these banks towards addressing systemic inequalities and creating inclusive workplaces. According to anonymous sources familiar with the matter, both Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase have scaled back their DEI initiatives in response to increasing legal risks. The threat of potential lawsuits alleging discrimination and preferential treatment has apparently led these banks to take a more cautious approach in … Read more

Bafta’s Jury System Under Scrutiny: Campaigners Speak Out on Nominations and Diversity in Awards

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LONDON – The 2022 Bafta Film Awards have once again sparked debate over the use of juries in key categories. This marks the fourth year that nominations have been influenced by the introduction of juries, as well as other reforms implemented by the UK’s film academy in response to the #BaftaSoWhite controversy in 2020. In an effort to gauge the response to this year’s nominations and the effectiveness of the jury system, Screen International spoke with UK-based awards campaigners who shared their thoughts on the matter. Contrary to what one might expect, many campaigners have … Read more

Judge Criticizes Lack of Diversity in Juul Settlements as $150 Million in Attorney Fees Move Forward

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge in California has granted approval for up to $150 million in attorney fees to move forward in settlements involving Juul Labs. The settlements include a $255 million class action settlement on behalf of consumers. U.S. District Judge William Orrick approved $76.5 million in fees in the class action and accepted the recommendation of a fee committee allocating common benefit funds. However, Orrick expressed concern over the lack of diversity among the lawyers involved in the Juul cases, noting that none of the 62 plaintiffs’ firms had a Black … Read more