The past year has laid bare, in shockingly explicit detail, the racial inequities of the justice system. Now, LexisNexis and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Law School Consortium have partnered to launch a fellowship initiative for 12 law students to spend nine months working to end this systemic racism and further the rule of law. 

On this episode of LawNext, we discuss this initiative with two of the fellows who are participating in it, as well as with the president of the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation, which is providing $120,000 to support each fellow with a $10,000 stipend. LexisNexis is also providing each fellow with dedicated mentorship and recurring professional development sessions to enhance their skills in technology, data analytics, and leadership.

Joining me are: 

  • Ian McDougall, executive vice president and general counsel of LexisNexis and president of the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation. 
  • Oscar Draughn, a fellow from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University College of Law, who received a fellowship to create a database of pro se litigant resources in Florida via a digital app with step-by-step tutorials. 
  • Kailyn Kennedy, a fellow from North Carolina Central University School of Law, who received a fellowship to create webinar programs that offer a space for communication, questions, knowledge, and solutions to be shared about the racial discrepancies in legal employment. 

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Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.