College Columns December 2022 | Page 3

It has been wonderful to see the acceleration in College activity this year – adding many in-person events to those that we continue to find are actually better facilitated over video conference to bring more of our Fellows together with more frequency . In the area of education , most circuits have held some form of programming , much of it in-person , ranging from joint programs like the 5th and 10th Circuits ’ day of ethics in the mountains of Utah – complete with costumes and game shows – to the 6th Circuit ’ s Horses and Bourbon in Kentucky and many other Circuits ’ ongoing collaborations with law schools .
The College ’ s other committees have also been very active , and I will highlight our two new committees . First , the Freshman Fellows Committee , headed by Judge Lisa Beckerman , has created a four-installment virtual curriculum that should obviate the need for cramming all that information into the early one-hour breakfast the morning after induction that I know you all remember so fondly . The Freshman Fellows Committee also is rolling out its new Fellows mentorship program for Classes 31 , 32 and 33 . Second , the DEI Committee , co-chaired by Judge Erithe Smith and Paul Harner , is charged with implementing the Commission ’ s recommendations and is one of the hardest working and busiest in the College – they have participated in more than fifty ( 50 ) meetings since their formation in March , with subcommittees focusing on internal matters , external matters and communications .
I am also thrilled to report that not only the DEI Committee but every committee and part of the College has truly demonstrated the mindfulness about diversity , equity and inclusion that it is our goal to foster . For example , our Board of Regents just announced an impressive slate of new Fellows , with 20 of 39 candidates being diverse . The Bankruptcy History Committee has developed a long list of diverse Fellows whose oral histories are in the works ; our education committees are rethinking the ways that topics and speakers are selected for programs ; and the Foundation has changed its mission and bylaws to add pipeline and DEI initiatives to its fundraising and grant making . And these are but a few – the change is noticeable .
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In This Issue

President ’ s Message ....................... 4 From the Foundation ...................... 6 From the Pro Bono Committee ..... 7 ACBF Grantees .................................. 8
The College and DEI : Whither from Here ?..................................... 10
A Warm Welcome to Class 34 ...... 12 Doing the Splits .............................. 13 Consultant ’ s Corner ...................... 14 Bench Notes ................................... 16
DEI Committee Collaborates with Focus on Gender Equity : A Women Led Initiative ............... 18
2022 Dues ...................................... 29 2022 Patrons & Sponsors ........... 33 ACBF 2022 Donations .................. 39 Focus on Fellows ........................... 43 Upcoming Events .......................... 44
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