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A Look at Diversity Through the Modern Lens
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Distinguished Panel Members pictured left to right: Hon. Nathaniel C. Nichols; Samuel M. Lemon, Ed.D.; Tanner W. Rouse, Esq.; Hon. Nusrat Love; Kelly C. Hayes, Esq.; Tiffany T. Griffin, Esq.; Lorraine M. Ramunno, Esq., Chair, Solo Practitioner & Small Firm Committee of the DCBA ... The Solo Practitioner & Small Firm Committee’s purpose is to provide a forum for the exchange of information, ideas, and resources on issues uniquely impacting the practice of law.
Diversity: The understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual diversity and orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.
April, 2022. “Let’s talk about it”, so they did! … The Solo Practitioners and Small Firms Committee invited members and the surrounding legal community, family, friends and colleagues to join them for “A Look at Diversity Through the Modern Lens,” the Delaware County Bar Association’s first program on Diversity. Distinguished panelists discussed principles and practices that strive to make communities more diverse, inclusive, equitable, and ultimately, just.
HON. NATHANIEL C. NICHOLS, MODERATOR Hon. Nathaniel C. Nichols (retired), Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, PA. The man behind the title “A Look at Diversity Through
the Modern Lens” … On February, 17, 2022, Judge Nichols participated in the collaboration of the Delaware County Bar Association’s 150th Anniversary Committee and Delaware County Community College on a special program entitled “Learning from Our Past: Dockets of Trials of Enslaved People in Delaware County.” During the program, Judge Nichols, in guiding attendees in exploring the significance of this piece of history and what can be learned from it, referred to the “modern lens” and the expression, “Teach One, Reach One.” Judge Nichols again shared at the program entitled “A Look at Diversity Through the Modern Lens,” the meaning of each and how to weave diversity and inclusion thoughtfully and purposefully into our culture at every level and in the communities in which we live and serve.
DR. SAMUEL M. LEMON, Program Director, M.S. in Business and Organizational Leadership, Neumann University School of Business.
Dr. Lemon started with a story of his Great Grandfather, William Henry Ridley, Esq., a pioneer of the Delaware County Bar Association, who had a distinguished career as Delaware County’s first attorney of color for 54 years (1891-1945) with three law offices representing people of color and white people of all economic classes.
He discussed how people of color, those with learning disabilities, and those of varied socio-economic backgrounds often receive disproportionately harsher punishments and have limited financial resources to obtain the same caliber of legal representation that the more affluent people enjoy.
Dr. Lemon further discussed what we can do to have a better balance between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law … “better policing”; different ways to administer justice; better measuring and rehabilitating, training, guidance, employing a holistic approach. Wrongful convictions present not only a tragic human cost, but also great financial cost to society when states and municipalities must pay damages for those who were wrongly convicted and imprisoned.
And lastly, Dr. Lemon spoke of possibilities for more resources to be allocated in solving local cold cases for families who have waited decades for closure and justice.
TANNER ROUSE, First Assistant District Attorney, spoke on Diversity in the District Attorney’s Office here in Delaware County, the challenges to achieving it and the benefits thereof. He touched upon hiring practices, efforts to provide a more equitable justice system overall and the initiatives that the office looks forward to undertaking in the future.
HON. NUSRAT J. LOVE, Delaware County Court of
Common Pleas, PA. As the liaison of the Family Division, Judge Love sees diverse family members come before her in Court regarding a multitude of custody matters. Judge Love discussed the definition of the modern/non-traditional family vs. the modern family – including blended and same sex couples; how the external, modern family differs from that of the 1960s through the ‘80s; and the importance of grandparents raising grandchildren. Further, Judge Love discussed how families are shaped by society, with the biggest external factors of mental health, substance abuse and incarceration; and her approach “Maybe I would not choose to live like this,” but in settling cases how to be fair, void of inherent biases, and the 16-point custody factor … all “in the best interest of the child.”
KELLY C. HAYES, ESQUIRE, Attorney in the Trust and Estates Department at McAndrews, Mehalick, Connolly,
Hulse and Ryan P.C. (MLO). Kelly brought to the attention of attendees that many are not aware that diversity includes those with disabilities and they comprise the largest minority group in the world or approximately 20% of the population. Kelly discussed empathy, compassion and acceptability – that “not one size fits all.” Kelly, with her “view through the modern lens,” encouraged us to do our part in ensuring equality of opportunity, full participation, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities,” as like everyone else, persons with disabilities have gifts to bring to our communities. Their assets add to the variety of viewpoints needed to be successful and bring effective solutions to today’s challenges.
TIFFANY GRIFFIN, ESQUIRE, Partner, Griffin Law
Group, LLC, discussed the challenges of the solo practitioner, specifically those challenges faced when advocating for those of different backgrounds, “when all is at stake and the expressed feelings involve fighting for liberty and for family.” Further she explained the care required in navigating your case and how culture impacts justice and the law.
