For Black History Month, we honor our hero and Founding Director,
Julius Levonne Chambers, by weekly features of one of his many civil
rights arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Chambers graduated
from UNC Law School in 1962 and went on to shape the contours of of
civil rights law in North Carolina and nationwide. Learn more about
Chambers on our History page and on an annotated bibliography of his
works. Today, Shaw v. Hunt, 517 U.S. 899 (1996), a landmark congressional redistricting case.
"We now
for the first time have gotten to a point where black people will have a voice,
or an opportunity to have a voice in the election of Congresspeople . . .What we're talking about ensuring at once, at least for once, a chance now to have a chance to have a voice in the election of your representatives." - Julius Chambers, arguing Shaw v. Hunt.
Read More... (The Chambers series: Shaw v. Hunt (1996))
Posted by Mark Dorosin on Thu. February 7, 2013 5:30 PM
Categories: Race and the Law Series, Race Discrimination, Voting Rights
In a recent "Race and the Law" series, Center staff and UNC Law School professors reenacted excerpts from the oral arguments in the Fisher v. University of Texas. The case was heard at the US Supreme Court on October 10, 2012. UNC School of Law Dean Jack Boger. CCR Attorneys Mark Dorosin and Elizabeth Haddix, and the UNC Office of University Counsel filed an an amicus brief on behalf of the University of North Carolina in this case.
Center Deputy Director Charles Daye played the role of Chief Justice Roberts. Center attorneys Mark Dorosin and Elizabeth Haddix and UNC Law professors Eric Muller, Erika Wilson, Al Brophy, and Catherine Kim played other Justices. Community Inclusion Fellow Bethan Eynon read the position of Petitioner Fisher, Education Fellow Taiyyaba Qureshi took the part of Respondent University of Texas, and Equal Justice Works Fellow Peter Gilbert acted as US Solicitor General.
Watch the video below:
Read More... (CCR Staff, UNC Law Professors perform Fisher vs. TX arguments)
Posted by Taiyyaba A. Qureshi on Mon. January 14, 2013 12:01 AM
Categories: Amicus Curiae, Education, Race and the Law Series, Race Discrimination
Alvin Corum (L) and John Gresham (R)
Dr. Alvis Corum was a longtime
tenured faculty member and the Dean of Learning Resources at Appalachian State
University when he learned of a plan to relocate and split up the Appalachian
Collection, a seminal collection of books, reports, music, and artifacts of the
historic culture of the Southern Appalachian Region. When he protested, Dr. Corum was removed from his deanship
and stripped of his administrative duties. Dr. Corum and his attorney John Gresham brought a successful free speech claim that resulted in a landmark civil rights ruling recognizing the right to bring claims directly under the North Carolina constitution.
The Center hosted Dr. Corum and Mr. Gresham for a "Race and the Law" event, where the spoke about the history of the case. Continue reading for a video of the talk.
Read More... (Al Corum, John Gresham speak on historic Free Speech claim against Appalachian State)
Posted by Mark Dorosin on Fri. January 4, 2013 9:59 AM
Categories: Community Leaders, First Amendment, Race and the Law Series
CCR attorneys Mark Dorosin and
Elizabeth Haddix, and UNC School of Law Dean Jack Boger, together with
the Office of University Counsel filed an amicus curiae brief on behalf of the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (“UNC”) in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin. The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case on October 10, and a ruling is expected next spring.
On Constitution Day, September 17, Center attorneys Dorosin and Haddix, Center Deputy Director Charles Daye, and Dean Boger joined Steve Farmer, UNC Vice Provost for Admissions, on a panel at UNC Law School to discuss Fisher v. Texas and the continuing need for race-conscious and diversity-promoting higher education admission policies. Steve Farmer also wrote an op-ed that was published in The Hill on October 8, entitled Fisher v. Texas: It's wrong to curb diversity.
Watch the video of the panel:
Fisher v. University of Texas, Constitution Day 2012 Discussion from UNC School of Law on Vimeo.
Read More... (Fisher Amici speak on Constitution Day Panel at UNC Law School)
Posted by Taiyyaba A. Qureshi on Wed. October 17, 2012 2:45 PM
Categories: Amicus Curiae, Education, Race and the Law Series
Center Interns with Attorney Dhamian Blue at the Center's 2012 Summer Speakers Series
During the Center's annual Summer Speaker Series, local social justice attorneys talk about their work and career paths with Center for Civil Rights interns. These weekly roundtable discussions are an important part of the Center's mission to encourage and train the next generation of civil rights lawyers. This summer, eight outstanding public and private attorneys who have dedicated their careers to different aspects of the struggle for civil rights shared their stories.
Summer Intern Kelly Anderson (2L, UNC Law) commented on the Summer Speaker Series:
"I found it inspiring to listen to the stories of so many lawyers who have developed innovative ways of doing civil rights work and dedicated large portions of their careers to serving the public. This gives me great hope for the future of civil rights law and reinforces my desire to continue incorporating civil rights work into my legal career."
Read More... (“The Future of Civil Rights Law” - Local Social Justice Lawyers encourage Center interns in 2012 Summer Speaker Series)
Posted by Mark Dorosin on Mon. August 20, 2012 10:00 AM
Categories: Law Students, Professional Development, Race and the Law Series