Message From the Chair
On behalf of the more than 600 professional and more than 200 student members of the Civil Rights Law Section, welcome!
In his retirement remarks, Justice Steven Breyer discussed the importance of the constitution, the rule of law, and the obligation of all people to ensure its protection and continuation (edited for space):
This is a complicated country. it’s every race, it’s every religion, and it’s every point of view possible. It’s a kind of miracle: People that are so different in what they think, and yet they’ve decided to help solve their major differences under law. Go look at what happens in countries that don’t do that. People have come to accept this constitution and come to accept the importance of the rule of law. Of course people don’t agree, but we have a country that’s based on human rights and democracy. But it’s an experiment that’s still going on. You know who will see if that experiment works? It’s us, but it’s you, the next generation. I’m an optimist, and I’m pretty sure it will.
This section’s members advance Justice Breyer’s challenge to continue the experiment and preserve it for the next generation, respect the rule of law, and honor our county’s promises of freedom and equality.
“Civil rights” conjures up vivid pictures in many minds—a Black woman sitting in the front of a bus; a police officer with a knee on a suspect’s neck; a football coach wanting to pray after a game. And our membership is active in cases like those, striving for justice on both sides of the “v”. But civil rights transcends just the litigation of constitutional rights. It includes issues of fair housing, disability discrimination, education, immigration, Indian law, LGBTQIA+ rights, employment, public access, and many more.
We invite everyone, whether you practice in any of those areas, in any civil rights “adjacent” areas, or just have an interest in civil rights law, to join us. Consistent with the Federal Bar Association’s Strategic Plan and its D&I goals, I extend a special welcome and invitation to lawyers and law students from nontraditional backgrounds, with nontraditional practice areas, or with disabilities. You are welcome and valued here. You are always welcome to attend our regular Section Board meetings on the Third Wednesday of the month, conducted via Zoom (as our membership believes it’s the most accessible online meeting platform.) If you are an individual with a disability who needs accommodation to access our programming or meetings, please contact me or our FBA staff liaison through sections@fedbar.org to request accommodations. We are also looking for strategic partners to ensure that Civil Rights Law Section content and leadership opportunities are available to all, including those from nontraditional backgrounds or persons with disabilities. If you wish to help involve the Section get more individuals from all sorts of backgrounds involved in the Section, contact us and the Section’s D&I Coordinator, Morgan Drake.
The Section offers huge value for its members. We have once again been honored with the FBA’s Section and Division Recognition Award, which is a testament to our strength and focus on continuing legal education programs, our exceptional newsletter, and other professional development programs and opportunities.
The Section’s continuing education opportunities are as diverse as our membership. In the past few years, we have sponsored or co-sponsored numerous on-line and in-person panels about § 1983 practice, fair housing law, qualified immunity, COVID responses, implicit bias, disability inclusion, Supreme Court and civil rights, and other topics. We organized a day-and-a-half CLE in New Orleans last February offering a boot camp on § 1983 practice and highly specialized civil rights topics called the Civil Rights Etoufee. For 2024, we’re taking the Etoufee “On the Road” for in-person events throughout the country! Check your emails for specifics, follow us on social media, and check out our website dedicated to our in-person programming at https://www.Etouffeelaw.com!
Our newsletter is also can’t-miss. Our newsletter will now focus on case updates in various practice areas as well as longer articles on topics of interest to civil rights practitioners and updates on the Section’s activities. Check out the current and back issues at https://www.fedbar.org/civil-rights-law-section/civilrights/civil-rights-insider/
The section offers other programs and benefits to members, too. Our amicus committee is active, providing insightful briefs in cases of national importance to our members. Out topical subcommittees offer specific resources for practitioners.
And, coming this year—social and mentorship events for our members to make connections, to spitball ideas, and to just have some fun! This will include a nationwide civil rights book club, with an on-line national speaker and local chapter socialization.
Our successes past and future depend on our past leaders and current bench strength, and that continues with the 2023-24 term. Our officers from last year continue for the second of their two-year terms, and include:
- Kyle Kaiser, Chair
- Eric Foley, Chair-Elect
- Kate Simpson, Secretary-Treasurer
And the section owes everything to its past chairs, including Immediate Past Chair Robin Wagner and past chairs Stephen Haedicke and Wylie Stecklow.
Our section cannot function without its Designated Board Members:
- Newsletter Chair, Jacob Hansen
- Membership Coordinator, Blake Hamilton
- Social Media Coordinator, Benjamin de Seingalt
- Programming, Wylie Stecklow
- D&I Coordinator, Morgan Drake
And its committees:
- Amicus
- Defense of Government Entities
- Disability Rights and Public Accommodations
- Education
- Employment and Housing Rights
Please join us! email sections@fedbar.org for information on joining or how to get in touch to become involved. And feel free to join our monthly section calls on third Wednesdays of the month, which are open to all members of the section.
Kyle J. Kaiser
If you are interested in learning more about this section, its programs, or publications please contact sections@fedbar.org