Community Days: Law in Context

Community Days 2021 is a two-day virtual program for the entire New York Law School community. The program will provide an opportunity to reflect on the evolution of the law and legal practice in our rapidly changing world through the context of racism and race. Together, we’ll consider how we have come to encounter the structural problems our nation continues to grapple with.

Friday, August 13, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday, August 16, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

DAY ONE

11:00 a.m.–11:10 a.m.
Introduction to Day 1 and Opening Remarks

Anthony W. Crowell, Dean and President, NYLS; Kirk D. Burkhalter ’04, Professor of Law; Director, 21st Century Policing Project; Co-Chair, Faculty Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, NYLS

11:10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion: The American Lawyer: Practicing Law in a Multicultural Society 

Moderator
Dean Anthony W. Crowell 

Panelists
Nsenga N. Jenkins ’13, Litigation Associate Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C.; Natoya McGhie ’11, Principal Court Attorney New York State Unified Court System, Immediate Past President, Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association; Katherine E. Smith ’07, Owner, The Law Office of Katherine E. Smith; Hon. Marc Whiten ’84, Judge (Ret.), New York City Criminal Court; Special Advisor to the Dean; Adjunct Professor of Law; Member, Board of Trustees, NYLS; Former President, NYLS Alumni Association 

12:30 p.m.–12:35 p.m.
Break 

12:35 p.m.– 1:35 p.m.
Breakout Rooms—Small Group Discussions

1:35 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Break

2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Structural Racism and American Law 

Moderator
Dean Anthony W. Crowell 

Panelists
Lenni B. Benson, Distinguished Chair in Immigration and Human Rights Law, NYLS; William P. LaPiana, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Engagement and Rita and Joseph Solomon Professor of Wills, Trusts, and Estates, NYLS; Edward A. Purcell, Jr., Joseph Solomon Distinguished Professor of Law, NYLS 

3:00 p.m.–3:05 p.m.
Break

3:05 p.m.–4:05 p.m.
Breakout Rooms 

DAY TWO

10:00 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
Introduction to Day 2
Professor Kirk D. Burkhalter ’04

10:15 a.m.–11:15 a.m.
The Private Sector Lawyers: What They Do and How They Make a Difference 

Moderator
Elizabeth Valentin, Visiting Associate Professor of Law, NYLS

Panelists
Meryl R. Lieberman ’81, Partner Emerita and Special Counsel, Traub Lieberman Straus & Shrewsberry LLP; Member, Board of Trustees, NYLS; Geraldine Ortiz ’99, Vice President, Tax Information Reporting Policy & Compliance, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; Anand K. Sharma ’97, Partner Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP; Victor Suthammanont ’05, Senior Trial Counsel, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; Errol B. Taylor ’87, Partner, Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP; Member, Board of Trustees, NYLS 

11:15 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Break 

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Keynote Conversation: The People’s Lawyer 
Keynote Speaker Lewis M. Steel ’63, author of The Butler’s Child; a conversation with Professor Penelope Andrews, Co-Director, Racial Justice Project

12:30 p.m.–12:45 p.m.
Break 

12:45 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Breakout Rooms 

2:00 p.m.–2:10 p.m.
Presentation on Suggested Films and Additional Reading
Professor Kirk D. Burkhalter ’04

2:10 p.m.–2:30 p.m. 
Closing Comments and Remarks
Dean Anthony W. Crowell and Arthur N. Abbey ’59, Chair, Board of Trustees, NYLS