Diversity and Eliminating Racial and Systemic Bias in the Courtroom

Over the course of history, intentional and implicit racial and social systemic bias have infiltrated our justice system in a manner which has directly impacted the attorneys litigating cases in our trial courts, jurors, the parties at issue, judicial verdicts and public perception of and trust of the system as a whole. This program discusses the history of systemic racism and social bias in the courtroom and landmark cases, such as Batson v. Kentucky, and its progeny which address such issues. Key topics include due process and fair trial, jury selection, disparate judicial outcomes, and racial, ethnic, national heritage, language and American Disabilities Act (ADA) specific issues. Please join our elite panelists as they highlight ongoing injustice in the courtroom associated with systemic racial and social bias and concrete strategies to remedy such. 

Speakers

Program Chair: Mishka Woodley, Esq., Farrell Fritz, P.C.

Moderator: Betty Lugo, Esq., Pacheco & Lugo, PLLC

Mark Moretti, Esq., Phillips Lytle LLP

Mirna Santiago, Esq., Girls Rule the Law

Prof. Christian Brook Sundquist, Albany Law School

Hon. Christina Ryba, Albany County Supreme Court