ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice 100d ago

This session is part 1 of 8, on the first day of CRSJ's Civil Rights Boot Camp. Contact CRSJ@americanbar.org for details & how to get involved! -- This opening session brings together civil rights practitioners from diverse practice settings—solo practitioners, large firm attorneys, and nonprofit advocates—to have an honest conversation about what it means to do this work right now. Our panelists will share how they are meaningfully participating in civil rights cases despite resource constraints and political headwinds, and how they build coalitions with other attorneys and organizations even when everything seems to be on fire. For attorneys who want to take on civil rights matters but do not know where to start, this session will demystify the process. Panelists will discuss how cases come to them, how they evaluate whether to take a matter, and what resources exist for practitioners who may lack institutional backing. The discussion will also address how generative AI tools can be used ethically to accelerate learning, improve legal research, and help attorneys punch above their weight, while maintaining the professional responsibility obligations that define our profession. Tiffani S. Collins – Attorney, Collins Legal Group, LLC Howard S. Suskin – Partner, Jenner & Block LLP Christine Forsythe – Attorney, The Forsythe Law Firm LLC Jordan D. Howlette (Moderator) – Founder & Managing Attorney, JD Howlette Law -- CRSJ's Civil Rights Boot Camp is a two-day, virtual summit that serves as a comprehensive resource for young lawyers, law students, public service attorneys, and advocates of all backgrounds. This initiative, led by the Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, aims to provide the essential tools and training needed to practice civil rights law effectively.