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Blog Post 01

Anti-DEI Lawsuits Threaten Nonprofits, Philanthropies

Hardly a day goes by without news coverage of the perils companies and organizations face in the implementation of DEI programs.  For instance, recently the Nonprofit Quarterly noted that “nonprofit and philanthropic sectors are at growing risk for lawsuits challenging DEI . . . measures, fellowship and intern practices, giving and grantmaking procedures, and even the provision of basic services.”  These threats stem from a “a new wave of litigation . . . seeking to challenge virtually any consideration of race in myriad institutional practices and decisions.”  Indeed, the article goes on to note that “experts say” that these various test cases “could be the tip of an anti-DEI legal iceberg for nonprofits and philanthropic institutions.”

The Nonprofit Quarterly article underscores the sorts of considerations that companies and nonprofits need to take in trying to foster respect for the dignity and equality of their workers and promote solidarity among their employees while adhering to the law.  Read more here.

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  • CONOR DUGAN

    Conor Dugan is a partner with SouthBank Legal in its Grand Rapids, Michigan office.  Conor has a national litigation and counseling practice.  Before entering private practice, he spent nearly seven years with the Department of Justice in its Civil Rights Division. Conor has led Title IX Investigations, advised on the applicability and ramifications of FERPA, Title IX, and federal and state discrimination law, and offered crisis counseling to educational institutions.

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ADVANTAGE DES - CONOR DUGAN

Conor Dugan is a partner with SouthBank Legal in its Grand Rapids, Michigan office.  Conor has a national litigation and counseling practice.  Before entering private practice, he spent nearly seven years with the Department of Justice in its Civil Rights Division. Conor has led Title IX Investigations, advised on the applicability and ramifications of FERPA, Title IX, and federal and state discrimination law, and offered crisis counseling to educational institutions.