From Promise to Practice:
The Role of Courts in Ensuring Equal Protections, Due Process,
and Access to Justice in the 21st Century
May 24th-26th, 2021
Equal protection and due process are the foundational principles of the U.S. system of justice. Courts play a pivotal role in translating these promised principles into meaningful practice through the daily administration of justice. The 2021 conference of the National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts will (1) discuss equal protection, due process, and access to justice in contemporary contexts from local, regional, and national perspectives; and (2) provide topic-specific roundtable discussions that highlight model court programs/initiatives, collaborative services, and best practices designed to ensure that equal protection, due process, and access to courts remain the foundations of justice for the breadth of diverse communities served by courts.
Download Agenda
Speaker Biographies
Monday, May 24, 2021
11 AM - 11:45 AM (EDT)
Morning Program and Opening Speaker
12:15 PM - 1:45 PM (EDT)
Model Practices Session #1: Criminal Justice
2:15 PM - 3:45 PM (EDT)
Model Practices Session #2: Children, Youth, and Families
4:15 PM - 5:45 PM (EDT)
Model Practices Session #3: Civil Justice
7:15 PM - 8 PM (EDT)
Virtual Social
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
11 AM - 11:45 AM (EDT)
Morning Program
Acknowledgement of the First Anniversary of the death of George Floyd
12:15 PM - 1:45 PM (EDT)
Model Practices Session #4: Access to the Courts
2:15 PM - 3:45 PM (EDT)
Model Practices Session #5: Supporting Diverse and Inclusive Juries
4:15 PM - 5:45 PM (EDT)
Model Practices Session #6: Community Outreach and Public Engagement
5:45 PM - 7:15 PM (EDT)
Law Student and Young Lawyers Forum - Past, Present and Future:
"The Role of Law Students and Lawyers in Realizing Social Justice"
**Separate registration is required. Link is on the attached flyer**
7:15 PM - 8 PM (EDT)
Networking Event(s)
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
11 AM - 11:45 AM (EDT)
Morning Program
12:15 PM - 1:45 PM (EDT)
Model Practices Session #7: Education, Training, and Professional Development
2:15 PM - 3:45 PM (EDT)
Model Practices Session #8: Collaborative Partnerships and Emerging Issues
4:15 PM - 5:45 PM (EDT)
Endnote and Closing Program
5:45 PM - 7:15 PM (EDT)
Virtual Closing Reception
State Reports
Detailed written reports continue to provide valuable resources and useful "how to" information to our membership and conference attendees. We invite you to submit a report summarizing your recent equity programs and initiatives that can be shared with conference attendees and posted on our website.
Arizona's Report
Indiana's Report
Massachusetts' Report
Minnesota's Report
Missouri's Report
New Jersey's Report
New York's Report
Ohio's Report
Pennsylvania's Report
Utah's Report
Submit State Reports
In Memoriam Tribute
The National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Court seeks to pay tribute to recently deceased judicial and legal leaders, who were committed to advancing the principles of fair and accessible courts and the elimination of bias in the administration of justice. These champions of justice will be recognized in a commemorative video during this year's virtual conference.