New York-based law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (Paul, Weiss) has launched a new civil rights and racial equity audit practice, possibly the nation’s first dedicated legal team focused on conducting racial equity and other civil rights audits.
“We are living in an era of increased stakeholder scrutiny and accountability, with companies assessing their programs and policies to identify gaps and disparate impacts,” Paul, Weiss Chairman Brad S. Karp said in a news release. “With the launch of this practice, we are bringing our deep expertise in internal investigations — as well as our storied history litigating civil rights cases — to help companies address potential deficiencies and ensure continued support from their key stakeholders.”
The new practice group, composed of some of the firm’s most experienced counsel, has successfully managed numerous sensitive and expedited civil rights audits and internal investigations, including DE&I-focused and human rights audits, helping boards and management be informed, act effectively and respond appropriately to internal stakeholders and the public. Former U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch is leading the efforts of the firm’s racial equity audits practice, along with a core team that consists of former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh C. Johnson; Karen L. Dunn, a nationally recognized crisis management adviser; former federal prosecutor Jeannie S. Rhee; and litigation partners Elizabeth M. Sacksteder and Liza M. Velazquez.
