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Pictured above: Audience members looking as Hon. Rebecca Love Kourlis speaks at "Does the Kansas Judiciary Reflect the Diversity of Our State? If Not, Why Not?"

100 Turn Out to Help Launch Quest for a More Diverse Judiciary

Safeguarding U.S. Democracy: Quest for a More Diverse Judiciary launched its campaign Saturday, October 17, 2009, in Topeka, Kansas, with keynote speaker the Honorable Rebecca Love Kourlis, Executive Director of the Institute for the Advancement of the Legal System.  There were 100 attendees – including Kansas Supreme Court Justice Marla Luckert, several Supreme Court Nominating Commissioners and Kansas State Representatives - who showed up to discuss and learn about the need for a more diverse judiciary in Kansas. A pre-conference reception occured the night before at the Brown vs. Board of Education Historical Site.  To see all the pictures, please visit our Safeguarding U.S. Democracy homepage and view our Flickr slideshow.

The reception crowd starts to gather at the Brown vs. Board of Education Historical Site. 

The Hon. Rebecca Love Kourlis started the forum with her address "Judicial Selection: Reform on the Move"

"Why Does a Diverse Judiciary Matter? How Can It Promote Confidence and Impartiality in the System?" (from right to left) Hon. Marla Luckert, Kansas Supreme Court Justice, Hon. Nancy Parrish, Chief Judge, 3rd Judicial District, Hon. Wayne Lampson, Chief Judge, 29th Judicial District, Patty Riley, Practicing Attorney.

 
"Does the Bench Look LIke America Yet? If Not, Why Not?" (From left to right) Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, Counsel, Brennan Center for Justice and Malia Reddick, Staff Liason, Program Staff, American Judicature Society.

"Why Does a Diverse Judiciary Matter? How Can We Achieve It?" (From right to left) Dale Cushinberry, non-attorney member, Supreme Court Nominating Commission, Kelly Anders, Associate Dean, Washburn University School of Law, Dr. Roy Braum, non-attorney member, 1st Judicial District Nominating Commission, Karen Hester, Director of Career Services and Diversity, University of Kansas Law School.