New Resource: Investing in Racial Equity Through Charitable Grants And Services | Key legal insights & strategies for grantmakers & nonprofits in an evolving landscape.
The Fight Continues: We sent a letter to 150+ colleges, universities, and school superintendents urging them to reject flawed federal guidance and continue lawful efforts to foster diversity, equity and inclusion on campus.
The Fight for Affirmative Action
On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court issued rulings in SFFA v. Harvard and SFFA v. UNC that significantly limit the use of race-conscious admissions. While affirmative action was not explicitly banned, the decisions weaken longstanding precedent and create new barriers for colleges and universities seeking to consider race as one of many factors in their admissions processes. Learn more
AI Civil Rights Act
The AI Civil Rights Act, championed by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, ensures that innovation strengthens, not undermines, civil rights. It creates real transparency, strong safeguards, and accountability, so technology serves justice, not bias. Learn more
January 6th Insurrection
On January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol Police officers risked their lives to protect our democracy. They faced a violent, mass attack on the Capitol driven by intentional misinformation aimed at overturning the legitimate results of an election in which record numbers of Black voters made their voices heard. The violent attack was designed to threaten and intimidate those involved in conducting and protecting the election certification process. It was not just an attack on people or property, but an attack on democracy itself.
The national, nonpartisan Election Protection coalition works year-round to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have that vote counted. Made up of more than 300 local, state, and national partners, Election Protection provides Americans from coast to coast with comprehensive information and assistance at all stages of voting— from registration, to absentee and early voting, to casting a ballot at the polls, to ensuring that election results are certified. Our core work includes direct voter assistance and education, advocacy, communication with election officials, and litigation. Throughout the election cycle, we’re here to help.
Blog, Press Releases & Newsclips
Lawyers’ Committee Statement on Birthright Citizenship Ruling from Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down President Trump’s order denying birthright citizenship to children born on U.S. soil, affirming that the Fourteenth Amendment means what it has always meant. The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law,...
Supreme Court Rules States Can Count Ballots Mailed by Election Day
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right for states to decide whether to count ballots postmarked before or on Election Day but received after Election Day. Robert Weiner, the Voting Rights Project director of the Lawyers’ Committee for...
Federal Court Delivers Major Victory for Anti-Trafficking Organizations Nationwide Committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Washington — Today, three anti-trafficking organizations, represented by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law and Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, secured a stay against the Department of Justice (DOJ), temporarily...
Lawyers’ Committee For Civil Rights Under Law Marks Founders Day with Conversation On Democracy And Civil Rights
The conversation featured President and Executive Director Damon Hewitt and Rep. Jamie Raskin. MS NOW political analyst and The 19th’s Editor in Chief Errin Haines served as moderator. WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law...
Lawyers’ Committee, NAACP, LDF, and Memphis Urban League Expand Challenge to Tennessee Congressional Map
Amended complaint adds plaintiffs and new evidence as civil rights groups seek preliminary injunction against racially discriminatory redistricting plan WASHINGTON — Today, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the National Association for the...
Statement from Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law on Court Order Permitting Discovery to Continue in Smith v. Trump
This court rejected efforts to freeze the case and allowed discovery to move forward on the January 6 insurrection. WASHINGTON — The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, issued a statement following a ruling in Smith v. Trump that rejected...
