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<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nOn May 25, 2020<\/strong>, our nation \u2014 and the
In what is now referred to as the “post-George Floyd”
The firm’s Racial Justice Initiative is innovative because
\n<\/ol>\n Most recently, and in keeping with our commitment to racial
Our Racial Justice Initiative will continue to evolve to address
Originally Published by Savoy<\/em><\/p>\n The content of this article is intended to provide a general
\nworld \u2014 bore witness to the murder of George Floyd. His
\nmurder made it impossible for our country to continue to
\nparticipate in a collective, deliberate “unknowing” of
\nthe ways racism permeates our society and leads to the devaluation
\nand destruction of Black lives. The protests that ensued created a
\nshift in our consciousness, an understanding of the structural
\nnature of racism and of the multifaceted and interconnected ways
\nthat Black people in the United States are impacted and
\ndisadvantaged from birth to death.<\/p>\n
\nera, companies and institutions nationwide continue to proclaim
\ntheir support for Black lives, for racial justice, for equity and
\nfor inclusion. For Kramer Levin, it was critically important to
\npair our words with action, our beliefs with practice. As a result,
\nin June 2020, Kramer Levin established the Racial Justice
\nInitiative in order to maximize the firm’s ability to address
\nracial and social justice issues. This important initiative, which
\nis led by the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, pursues pro bono
\nopportunities focused on racial injustice and inequality, including
\ncriminal justice reform, which has been a long-standing focus of
\nthe firm’s pro bono work. The two primary leaders of the
\ninitiative are partners Christopher S. Auguste and Steven S.
\nSparling. The initiative concentrates its efforts in four primary
\nareas: litigation, transactional\/corporate support, voting rights
\nand community outreach.<\/p>\n
\nof its size, scope and focus on work that has a definitive impact.
\nMore than 150 volunteers \u2014 staff and attorneys \u2014 are
\nengaged in this work. The programs include:<\/p>\n\n
\nCity Bar Justice Center and others, helps disabled veterans, mostly
\npeople of color, apply for medical benefits after they have been
\ndenied;<\/li>\n
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\npersecution in a lawsuit to block the prior administration’s
\ndestructive overhaul of the asylum system;<\/li>\n
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\nof NYC Business Solutions to help low- and lower-income
\nentrepreneurs as they restart, maintain and grow their
\nbusinesses;<\/li>\n
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\nbehalf of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund;<\/li>\n
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\nfiling complaints with the Civil Complaint Review Board,
\nparticularly regarding police violence or bad arrests;<\/li>\n
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\nof claimants at unemployment hearings;<\/li>\n
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\ncheck” workshop for social enterprises that serve Black and
\nLatinx communities;<\/li>\n
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\nrelated to the construction of museum space in the South Bronx,
\nwhich is anticipated to be completed in 2023 and open to the public
\nin 2025;<\/li>\n
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\nproceedings in New York State Court, pursuant to the Freedom of
\nInformation Act, related to the New York Police Department’s
\nGang Database, which is 98% Black or Latinx; and<\/li>\n
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\nMontana chapter in filing an amicus brief supporting a Native
\nAmerican woman’s respondent superior claims against the Bureau
\nof Indian Affairs for the rape committed by one of its
\nofficers.<\/li>\n
\njustice, diversity, equity and inclusion, Kramer Levin launched a
\nRacial Justice Initiative Scholars program for 1L law students at
\nselect New York City law schools. Kramer Levin’s RJI Scholars
\nparticipate in monthly, limited-scope RJI clinics focused on
\ncombating racial injustice and inequality. The RJI clinics help RJI
\nScholars jumpstart their legal careers by exposing them to the
\npractice of law in a real-world setting where they are supervised
\nand supported by practicing lawyers.<\/p>\n
\nan ever-changing world. Although the challenges are great and
\nlongstanding, we are prepared to meet them, steadfast as we are in
\nour values and our commitment to racial justice.<\/p>\n
\nguide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
\nabout your specific circumstances.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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