09-03-2020
Launched in July, following George Floyd’s death, approximately 260 law firms have joined together to create the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA). Representing every U.S. state, the alliance asserts that it will combine the resources of the private bar with legal services organizations to “amplify the voices of communities and individuals oppressed by racism, to better use the law as a vehicle for change that benefits communities of color and to promote racial equity in the law.” Housed on the Skadden Arps’ website, there is a PDF outlining the goals including working on “large-scale, coordinated pro bono” projects. The LFAA law firms state that they are also committed to “examining internal policies and practices that may perpetuate racial inequities within law firms structures.”
The Alliance’s first summit was held in July. The new non-profit will have its own board and leadership team to direct national efforts. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is responsible for setting up the nonprofit. These efforts are intended to go beyond the already in place pro bono efforts by these law firms in housing matters and criminal cases to larger impact issues. Organizers acknowledge that to be meaningful it will need to be staffed at some point in the future, with the current plan to rely on volunteers. All funding will come from the law firms participating in the Alliance.