26TH ANNUAL
Diversity in Law Fundraiser 7:00-8:30 PM Thursday, March 4, 2021 law.ku.edu/diversity
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DIVERSITY IN LAW SCHOLARSHIP This year’s class of first-year law students is the most diverse in KU Law’s history, with 28% of the Class of 2023 self-identifying as students of color. Donor support directly impacts opportunities for diverse students from all backgrounds seeking to contribute to KU Law and the legal profession. The Diversity in Law Scholarship is used to attract qualified, diverse students to KU Law and to expand opportunities in the legal profession for students from all backgrounds. The Diversity in Law Banquet is the law school’s annual fundraiser for the Diversity in Law Scholarship. This year’s virtual event is open to all KU Law students, alumni and guests, free of charge. We hope that through celebrating community and belonging, attendees will be inspired to give to the law school’s Diversity Scholarship Fund. We encourage you to join us in supporting these deserving students and enhancing the strength of this fund. Donations are encouraged to the Diversity in Law Scholarship through the Launch KU platform. Make a donation: launchku.org/lawdiversity. Donations will be accepted on the LaunchKU platform through March 12, 2021.
Diversity Advisory Council Now in its eleventh year, the Diversity Advisory Council counts among its members culturally diverse and accomplished KU Law alumni who share their wisdom and experience. They serve as a resource to Dean Stephen Mazza in the recruitment and retention of students from groups that are underrepresented in law school classrooms, among the practicing Bar and on the Bench. The 2020-2021 members are: Mayra Aguirre, L’07 Cynthia Bryant, L’95 Laura Clark Fey, L’92 Amy Fowler, L’00 Rico Kolster, L’00 Pat Konopka, L’94
Jehan Kamil Moore, L’05 Demetrius Peterson, L’09 Melissa Plunkett, L’11 Dru Sampson, L’96 Kelley Sears, L’74 Henry Thomas, L’13
Jabari Wamble, L’06 Issaku Yamaashi, L’00 Alyse Zadalis, L’15 Holly Zane, L’86 Gabe Zorogastua, L’07
PROGRAM WELCOME Leah Terranova Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Affairs
REMARKS Stephen W. Mazza Dean & Professor of Law Harry Herington, L’93 CEO and Chairman of the Board at NIC, Inc.
COMEDY PERFORMANCE Liz Glazer Comedian, former law professor
LIVE WITH MAYOR LUCAS Quinton Lucas Kansas City Mayor and KU Law Lecturer Stephen W. Mazza Dean & Professor of Law Leah Terranova Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Affairs
CLOSING REMARKS NETWORKING Mini-reunion breakout rooms
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS TITLE SPONSOR
For the third consecutive year, NIC, Inc. is the title sponsor for the Diversity in Law Banquet. NIC, Inc. is the nation’s leading digital government solutions and payments company, partnering with more than 7,000 federal, state and local agencies. Since its start in Kansas in 1992, NIC has developed 17,000+ digital solutions, spanning the areas of payments, licensing, outdoor recreation, health care and enterprise technology services. Learn more at www.egov.com. Harry Herington, L’93, serves as the company’s chief executive officer and chairman of the board.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS GOLD SPONSORS
With over 1,400 lawyers in 30 offices across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP is a fully integrated global law firm that provides clients with connected legal advice.
Husch Blackwell delivers legal insight and business leadership that helps their clients identify smart solutions, advance their goals and move forward.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS GOLD SPONSORS
Leverage Law Group LLC represents clients in connection with structured finance transactions, and particularly those involving New Markets Tax Credits and Renewable Energy Tax Credits.
Stueve Siegel Hanson is a national litigation firm that has recovered billions of dollars for businesses and individual plaintiffs nationwide.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS BRONZE SPONSORS Association for Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City Cerner Corporation Garmin International, Inc. Rasmussen Dickey Moore Rebein Brothers Trial Lawyers Seyferth, Blumenthal & Harris LLC Spencer Fane LLP The Judge Hugh Means American Inn of Court
ALLY SPONSORS Fey LLC HF Law Firm LLC Hite, Fanning & Honeyman L.L.P. Jackson County Bar Association Kansas City Lesbian, Gay and Allied Lawyers (KC LEGAL) Levy Craig Law Firm Sloan Law Firm Topeka Bar Association Wichita Bar Association Women Attorneys Association of Topeka
Produced by the Office of Communications at the University of Kansas School of Law The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity & Access, IOA@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Ave., Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.