Deplorable:
Brenna Bird of Iowa is among five Republican attorneys general
to sign off on a nine-page letter to the 100 largest law firms in the United States,
known as the "Am Law 100." The letter warns executives of the firms that they must "refrain from discriminating on the basis of race, whether under the label of 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' or otherwise."
"Differential treatment based on race is not only divisive but illegal … We expect our attorneys to follow the law like everyone else," Bird wrote in a Tuesday social media post.
The letter cites a
June U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down affirmative action admissions policies used by Harvard College and the University of North Carolina.
Led by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Bird and attorneys general from Arkansas, Kansas and Kentucky argue that the decision extends to private employers.
Their letter raises concerns with diversity programs at law firms, such as requiring diverse candidates when hiring for leadership roles, setting goals for the percentage of employees from underrepresented groups, or sponsoring fellowship programs based on race.
They also criticize diversity training that assigns "fault, blame or bias" to members of a race, or that discusses implicit racism or bias because of race.
POLITICS
Iowa's Brenna Bird among 5 attorneys general warning law firms to end race-based hiring
Katie Akin
Des Moines Register
Iowa has joined four other red states in sending a warning to America's largest law firms: Stop using race-based hiring for employees and contractors or "you will be held accountable."
Brenna Bird of Iowa is among five Republican attorneys general
to sign off on a nine-page letter to the 100 largest law firms in the United States,
known as the "Am Law 100." The letter warns executives of the firms that they must "refrain from discriminating on the basis of race, whether under the label of 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' or otherwise."
"Differential treatment based on race is not only divisive but illegal … We expect our attorneys to follow the law like everyone else," Bird wrote in a Tuesday social media post.
The letter cites a
June U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down affirmative action admissions policies used by Harvard College and the University of North Carolina.
Led by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Bird and attorneys general from Arkansas, Kansas and Kentucky argue that the decision extends to private employers.
Their letter raises concerns with diversity programs at law firms, such as requiring diverse candidates when hiring for leadership roles, setting goals for the percentage of employees from underrepresented groups, or sponsoring fellowship programs based on race.
They also criticize diversity training that assigns "fault, blame or bias" to members of a race, or that discusses implicit racism or bias because of race.
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who is in a heated race for governor against incumbent Democrat Andy Beshear, dismissed race-based hiring practices as "identity politics" and
said at a Wednesday campaign stop, “Kentucky should be a place where everyone can succeed, not just those who were born on third base to check a DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) box.”
Federal law
prohibits employers from considering race and other protected characteristics in employment decisions.
However, employers may use diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to
make their workforces less homogeneous and their workplaces more inclusive by casting a wide net for qualified workers from different backgrounds, according to Andrew Turnbull, a labor and employment partner at law firm Morrison & Foerster.
The letter criticizes diversity initiatives at major law firms, like requiring diverse candidates, or offering fellowships for certain demographics.
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