Feb. 2, 2013

Civil rights symposium features leading voices in Los Angeles

Nearly 100 attorneys and members of the Los Angeles civil rights community joined together on Jan. 25 for the Anti-Defamation League Centennial Civil Rights Symposium in partnership with Bet Tzedek at the Skirball Cultural Center. The program kicked off with a session on ethics called "Working with Challenging Clients: Ethics & Practical Solutions for Pro Bono Attorneys," presented by Grant Specht, directing attorney at Bet Tzedek Legal Services. A panel discussion on Civil Rights Topics Facing Minority Communities followed. Using ADL's centennial theme, "Imagine a World Without Hate," as a springboard, the panelists addressed key civil rights issues affecting their particular communities. As the final session of the program, Irvine School of Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky, spoke on "The Federal Courts and Civil Rights Today." Participants were invited to join a docent-led tour of "Creating the United States," a special Skirball exhibit organized by the Library of Congress at the conclusion of the day.