wow, that is bad. real bad. like, a giant WTF? bad.

Maybe it is a trap to weed out prospects based on who shows up?

1) It's Star Jones REYNOLDS

2) That ANY BigLaw shop takes this woman seriously, much less Weil... there are no words.

I've seen the View a couple of times, and I'm shocked that she was good at her job as Sr. ADA of Brooklyn - unless she won her cases by annoying the defense into submission.

She is super ugly and her makeup makes her look like a whore.

I don't suppose starting every sentence with "[w]ell, I'm a lawyer, and I can tell you" will play as well with that crowd.

Amazing: "See, we're into diversity -- it's a black woman -- live and in person!"

Also, 6:58: when you're a prosecutor, you don't exactly have to Matlock to win all the time.

Let's not be hasty. She is a former prosecutor and a media personality. I am sure she would be an interesting person to talk to.

Maybe it's to remind all the women and minority and married associates that there are career paths outside of biglaw.

BALSA at my law school paid to fly Omarosa in during black history month.

It's not a big deal.

Weil isn't that great a firm.

Star Jones isn't that great a D-list celebrity.

Inviting a minority attorney to speak to minority law students. Is it such a crazy idea?

...and the thinly veiled racist comments come a-rollin' in.

richard delgado, where are you?

I fail to see how this is a big deal. Somebody help me out?

Why is this a big deal? Well let's see... Maybe if you were going to organize an event to tout your commitment to diversity, you'd bring an outside speaker who brings something to the table on diversity issues, other than her gender and skin color. It's a big deal, because Weil should have gotten someone of substance. Star would have been a good speaker if the topic was "Telling bold-faced lies about having plastic surgery" or if it was a support group for people who actually look like their caricatures.

Luce Forward is giving Buick Invitational tickets (Torrey Pines) to USD Law Students . . . way better than meeting Star Jones.

Wow. It's a big deal because diversity and diverse law students deserve to be taken seriously, and Ms. Jones Reynolds lost all credibility as a lawyer a long time ago.

I hope the thousands of other diverse, accomplished attorneys who are more noteworthy than she is were busy that day.

I think she's the kind of speaker you book for a high school or middle school career day - not for students already in law school and who might considering legitimate legal careers. Not former prosecutors who routinely exploit their wedding and professional disputes in the national media. I mean, she's worse than Nancy Grace, and that's saying something.

Lat hating on yet another black attorney? Shocking!

hating on a joke....

Nancy Grace is out there in her capacity as an attorney, as she hosts a legal shows and trades on her former role as a prosecutor.

Star Jones' idiosyncracies are personal, not professional -- or, to the extent professional, not related to her role as an attorney, but as an entertainment personality. Plenty of attorneys have odd personal lives -- it's suspect that she's being judged as an attorney on what she does outside of the law.

Lat hating on yet another female attorney? Shocking!

I think it shows verve. She is a "featured speaker" at a first-year reception. The idea is to generate some buzz. While annoying to some (incl. me), she is news.

By the way, doesn't your publicizing this event make 10X more first year associates aware of the event than would otherwise be?

What if she was booked as a kitschy, wink-wink-type speaker, not a serious diversity speaker? If so, that's kinda shrewd. I, for one, would totally go check this out.

8:09-

You're another "diversity" bigot. The way you use the term seems to imply that only some law students are diverse. Its detestable people like you who create these color by number farces.

Stick a fifteen cent stamp on your law degree if you think you're supposed to be taken seriously because you are "diverse."

What if she was booked as a kitschy, wink-wink-type speaker, not a serious diversity speaker? If so, that's kinda shrewd. I, for one, would totally go check this out.

They should have invited her husband as well and covered the gay angle (allegedly).

Viva Monster Rain!

with Shirley Q. Liquor as moderator?

I'M A LAWYER

Star Jones graduated from my law school--University of Houston. Weil hires many UH law grads. Weil likes T2 stuff.

I just tried to update my iphone with the 1.1.3 software and I got a message "can't update . . . (1602)". anyone know what's going on?

Only a TTT like Weil would hire Star Jones for their diversity reception.

Everyone - why so serious? Relax a bit, this is 2007 - it's OKAY to laugh, to be controversial, and to put on obvious publicity stunts. I mean, if you were a 1L, what would you rather do, listen to some boring lecture on diversity after you've suffered through torts and civil procedure, or party with Star Jones?

10:49 - It's 2008... you must have not seen daylight since 2007. Now go back to work.

Sincerley,

10:49 to self.

Weil is TTT?

Dude, Weil is V-10.

I mean, who really cares? This clearly wouldn't affect the work and the position on diversity over at the 1200 attorney law firm. . . Besides, how is this any more kitschy than bonsai trees? (especially given the obvious reference to Karate Kid III -- which, I might add, is a terrible film).

KK1 and KK2, on the other hand. . . That's good watchin' - Maybe some law firm should bring Martin "Kreese" Kove in for a recruiting event. At least he'd kick some ass.

In Okinawa, man with belt no need rope to hold up pants!!!

Ha ha ha ha

11:12 - no no no.... chuck norris, my friend, chuck norris.

Every firm should have the same code as Kobra Kai Karate (hereafter "KKK"): "Strike first, strike hard, no mercy!"

EVERYONE'S A WINNER AT WEIL GOTSHAL & MANGES!

When Chuck Norris goes to court, judges must remove their robes out of respect for Chuck. If they fail to do so, they will be held in contempt of Chucknoristan, and receive a roundhouse kick to the face.

The Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Association (LeGaL), the Gay Asian and
Pacific Islander Men of New York (GAPIMNY) and the Lambda Legal Defense
and Education Fund Present...
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Asian American Attorneys Meeting and
Reception
New York, NY

WHEN: Tuesday, January 22, 2008, 7:00 PM
WHERE: Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
One World Financial Center
New York, NY 10281
212 504 6000
COST: No cover, light refreshments served
RSVP: Requested, but not required.
If you are not already a member of your school's LGBT alumni
association, please fill out our RSVP Form at
http://alumni.princeton.edu/~ffr-gala/FFR_RSVP.asp

An evening to:
- network with LGBT Asian American attorneys in other firms, practice areas, and sectors (corporate, small/solo, government, public interest)
- learn more about The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance
- discuss CLE opportunities for LGBT Asian Americans
Join us in advancing the interests of LGBT Asian Americans in the bar!

You can pick on Star Jones (and it's hard not to), but the fact remains she's probably richer than any partner at Weil.

Diversity ???? Is this the BEST they could come up with. This is worse than marching Alan Keyes before the public as a presidential candidate. WTF...I'm insulted!!!

I'd hit it!

This shows what a giant farce this whole diversity schtick that the firms are putting up is. Star F-ing Jones? She's a bloody joke. Might as well get Big Gay Al to speak at the CWT event. Diversity brings out the worst in humanity.

This board is a KKK cover--diversity is the life-blood and future of America. Diversity is critical to maintaining a critical edge in education, business and public sector. Diversity is what makes us part of the great cycle of life. Racists cannot see the value of diversity -- like they are wearing their Klan hood backwards (no eye holes). If you are not for us (diversity) you are against us!

I support a diversity of opinions on this issue, with the obvious exception of anti-diversity opinions which, of course, will not be tolerated.

Lat hating on yet another black attorney? Shocking!

Lat hating on yet another female attorney? Shocking!

I come to ATL, and what do I see above and below this Star Jones post? Lat hating on not 1, but 2 white male judges! Shocking!!

It's a gossip blog, idiot.

It's about time to abolish the phrase "hating on" from the lexicon.

She's made and will continue to make a lot more money than any of you friggin' haters.
.
Yes, that's right a black, female attorney makes more than you.

Wasn't Weil flaunting their commitment to "diversity" in the New York Times last year?

I named myself Star, therefore I am one, despite having no discernable talent of any kind. Oh, also, I was a fat pig until modern medicine finally created a substitute for the will power I so sorely lacked.

10:18 - thank you for introducing some levity into an otherwise asinine discussion

10:08 - thank you for introducing some levity into an otherwise asinine discussion

I don't see the problem. It's a diversity _reception_, not a symposium on diversity. No one is going to take Star seriously, but it should be a fun time. Diverse people are allowed to have fun too. We don't always have to be lectured about how diverse we are.

I don't see the problem. It's a diversity _reception_, not a symposium on diversity. No one is going to take Star seriously, but it should be a fun time. Diverse people are allowed to have fun too. We don't always have to be lectured about how diverse we are.

I don't see the problem. It's a diversity _reception_, not a symposium on diversity. No one is going to take Star seriously, but it should be a fun time. Diverse people are allowed to have fun too. We don't always have to be lectured about how diverse we are.

forget this useless stuff. A buddy of mine has been laid-off from Latham in LA. He told me he was let go b/c his performance was not upto par - we all know what that means. He said some of his co-workers have also met a similar fate. Anyone hearing anything about Latham's other offices??? I know for a fact that work has been very, very slow in Latham's LA office...Looks like the big west coast firms are really struggling...

me and star are good friends. you should be her friend too. don't worry, her tummy is too small for her to eat you now.

10:12- intelligent comments will not be tolerated in the diversity forum.
Keep yourself confined to meaningless platitudes!

10:10 -- Kent is "hated on" for sexually harassing a subordinate and being an alcoholic. The other judge humiliated a cancer patient from the bench.

Star Jones is being hated on for being Star Jones and being invited to speak at a diversity forum. There's a huge difference.

Oh, and the comments about "tolerance" being farcical for not including "intolerance" were clever five years ago.

Lawyers are so stiff. This seems like fun and I wish I got an invite.

star jones is a nappy headed ho.

Lat, you can't "bump a story up." That's ridiculous. Find new news.

Why does "The View" always get such a prominent place in the media. I mean, isn't it on during the day, when people are working, so that viewership is limited to housewives? Every time anything happens on The View, it is all over the papers. I don't see that kind of daily cover of, say, Maury Povich's show.

This is what you get when you go down the 'diversity' path. You focus on people for their race rather than their accomplishments.

That being said, this is almost definitely meant as a fun little liquor em up event for 1L's to get the firm's name out, not as a serious discussion on the topic (if you want to argue one can have such a discussion).

Now get me some real info on who is being axed.

[Study] "documented that the extent to which black Americans perceive their lives to be affected by racism correlates with symptoms of general paranoia disconnected from racial issues"

Black people are scared of every comment that can POSSIBLY be construed of racism, they turn the 3 of clubs into the ACE of "victim card"... pathetic. What are the real threats to blacks? Black-on-black violence, culture that promotes violence drugs and ignorance, get-rich-quick (or die trying) mentality. AIDS. Single parents. Oh, wait these are actually problems the "white man" foisted on the black community.

Go on with your bad selves and "diversify".

Who cares. Where's the bonus news for CA firms announcing after the New Year?! Lat?

View is prominent, becuase like Oprah, a large portion of "decision makers" and "voters" -- i.e. women (and unemployed men), watch it. Women tend to believe whatever crap they hear without anything resembling "critical thinking" so it is alarming to their male protectors (and thought controllers) that they are being propagandists on View. (see "Mad Men" for dynamics of relationship)

Elisabeth Hasselbeck is hot

11:24: There's a big difference between being "intolerant" and recognizing the uselessness and pretentiousness of "diversity initiatives."

well look at all the comments about law firm diversity star jones has managed to provoke. maybe this wasn't such a bad choice.

Someone actually attending the event should take cell video of it. I am sure her voice could be dubbed over to hilarious effect. It would make a good youtube post.

Thank you 11:54 for injecting some seriousness into this conversation!

Elizabeth Hasselbeck is extremely hot - I would love to give her a peal neacklace!

Weil sucks.

I don't get the whole diversity thing- Why the hell is that so important in a law firm where the business is law. Who gives a rats ass about diversity as long as the lawyering is good. P.S. Star Jones is a loudmouthed ignorant bafoon- why the fuck would anyone have her as a rep.?

"I don't get the whole diversity thing- Why the hell is that so important in a law firm where the business is law. Who gives a rats ass about diversity as long as the lawyering is good."

You could make that argument with respect to every industry. Part of me agrees with you, but if I buy your argument, don't I have to accept it across the board?

As a victim of the sex trade I think I should be included in diversity. Sex trade is a mega-billion industry that preys on young adults. I traded sex in prison just to stay alive. But I am not sure how to get this on my resume, to show my diversity.

I hear there will be watermelon and fried chicken served....

I imagine Weil's pitch to Star Jones' agent to appear at this event was somewhat more dignified that this prank call with her agent where they agreed that she would participate in an eating contest. Hilarity ensues!

http://tvfilter.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!DB9D137CC0F754C9!1581.entry

I imagine Weil's pitch to Star Jones' agent to appear at this event was somewhat more dignified that this prank call with her agent where they agreed that she would participate in an eating contest. Hilarity ensues!

http://tvfilter.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!DB9D137CC0F754C9!1581.entry

1:50 --

I assume you're joking. If so, that's really messed up. If not, my sympathies go out to you.

11:33 AM :

Have you taken your medication. Lawyers think because they read a "study" said study must be valid and scientific. Have you taken a science course in your life? Have you done any substantial research? I can cite studies that say any of the following: 1) Jews are intellectually inferior; 2) Jews are intellectually superior; 3) Catholics are intellectually inferior; 4) Irishmen are born with a wayward drunkeness gene.

Point: Just because you cite a "study," you have not provided greater legitimacy for your racist comments.

Instead of coating your remarks with racist undertones, embrace the fact that you don't like black people. Just say what you have to say instead of citing to BS "studies" to rationalize your racist feelings.

11:33 AM :

Have you taken your medication. Lawyers think because they read a "study" said study must be valid and scientific. Have you taken a science course in your life? Have you done any substantial research? I can cite studies that say any of the following: 1) Jews are intellectually inferior; 2) Jews are intellectually superior; 3) Catholics are intellectually inferior; 4) Irishmen are born with a wayward drunkeness gene.

Point: Just because you cite a "study," you have not provided greater legitimacy for your racist comments.

Instead of coating your remarks with racist undertones, embrace the fact that you don't like black people. Just say what you have to say instead of citing to BS "studies" to rationalize your racist feelings.

2:25: The "study" was from the Journal of Black Psychology -- done by Black psychologists and cited in the WSJ journal today. Hilarious that you admit it is racist... only way anything critical of blacks can be cited is if blacks point it out.

2:25: The "study" was from the Journal of Black Psychology -- done by Black psychologists and cited in the WSJ journal today. Hilarious that you admit it is racist... only way anything critical of blacks can be cited is if blacks point it out.

2:25: The "study" was from the Journal of Black Psychology -- done by Black psychologists and cited in the WSJ journal today. Hilarious that you admit it is racist... only way anything critical of blacks can be cited is if blacks point it out.

No. You being racist has nothing to do with the study. This is why I said that you should acknowledge that you are a racist:

"Black people are scared of every comment that can POSSIBLY be construed of racism, they turn the 3 of clubs into the ACE of "victim card"... pathetic. What are the real threats to blacks? Black-on-black violence, culture that promotes violence drugs and ignorance, get-rich-quick (or die trying) mentality. AIDS. Single parents. Oh, wait these are actually problems the "white man" foisted on the black community."

It's great when racists use the "Black people xyz" as if there is a universal black perspective and voice. The issues that you choose to focus on are also quite telling. There is mention of educational access since integration, disparities in treatment of blacks in the criminal justice system, etc. Moreover, the resentment and anger in your statement led me to believe that you were a little too passionate about your feeling about blacks. Hence, I think (and am probably right) that you are racist. You can acknowledge it or not--doesn't change much.

Thanks for the info about the study. I will read it in its entirety and determine for myself if the sentence that you selected from it is not misleading.

No. You being racist has nothing to do with the study. This is why I said that you should acknowledge that you are a racist:

"Black people are scared of every comment that can POSSIBLY be construed of racism, they turn the 3 of clubs into the ACE of "victim card"... pathetic. What are the real threats to blacks? Black-on-black violence, culture that promotes violence drugs and ignorance, get-rich-quick (or die trying) mentality. AIDS. Single parents. Oh, wait these are actually problems the "white man" foisted on the black community."

It's great when racists use the "Black people xyz" as if there is a universal black perspective and voice. The issues that you choose to focus on are also quite telling. There is mention of educational access since integration, disparities in treatment of blacks in the criminal justice system, etc. Moreover, the resentment and anger in your statement led me to believe that you were a little too passionate about your feeling about blacks. Hence, I think (and am probably right) that you are racist. You can acknowledge it or not--doesn't change much.

Thanks for the info about the study. I will read it in its entirety and determine for myself if the sentence that you selected from it is not misleading.

Light-skinned blacks are smarter than dark-skinned blacks.

http://snltranscripts.jt.org/76/76rblackperspective.phtml

Mulattos are the smartest, but no one cares (not white and not black).

We are all racist--especially black people. Race is EVERYTHING to black people -- the last thing they would ever give up is their "black-ness" or, arguably, our identity. If white people celebrated "whiteness" with poems, songs, culture, t-shirts...they would be KKK. But "black is beautiful"...

I am black, and while there is not a common identity, there is a core to the "blackness" which most identify with, and some reject -- but that anti-black attitude is just as centered on race (just in the opposite fashion). There is a real paranoia in the black community -- but it is certainly justified: AIDS (white man started, spread), Crack (CIA invention), even rap music is produced by white producers (until recently). Slum lords are white. Most cops are white--and all the bad cops are!

2:47- you sir are incorrect: African and former British possession Caribbean (excluding Jamaica) blacks are generally smarter than American blacks. Mainly this is due to not growing up in a self-destructive culture, but that is beyond the scope of this post.
The aforementioned groups of blacks are generally much darker than their American counterparts.
Culture PWNS Race

eminem is white... that proves white people are better (he is best rapper)

MLK is lucky ... he would not be happy to see civil rights "movement" of today. Would MLK approve of his former compatriots Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton? If he was still hanging out with them, we sure as hell wouldn't have MLK day (notwithstanding he would still be alive).

CARIBBEAN BLACK ARE GORGEOUS... i love you akon!

What you hate is that they're going to be sitting there scratching their heads and trying to figure out why the 2008 summer class is all white and male.

Oh my Christ. Soapbox moment: diversity initiatives aren't about going out and hiring any woman/minority you can find standing around in the street with their thumb up their asses. It's about going out of your way to find bright and talented ones who aren't in the places you usually look -- maybe they go to different schools than the ones where you normally focus your recruiting efforts, so you look at different schools, or you look at different states, or whatever. Weil's bringing in Star Jones is a metaphor for their misguided diversity program, because Star Jones is the quintessential random black chick with her thumb up her ass. If Weil thinks that Star Jones represents the best of black women in the law, they're as ignorant and bigoted as she is, and I'm offended as shit. If they're bringing her in for entertainment purposes, well, a Venn diagram of intelligent people of any gender and color vs. people who think that Jones is witty, charming, or has anything of substance to say consists of two closed circles on opposite sides of the universe.

And when I say bringing her in undermines the diversity program concept, 11:32 a.m. is exactly what I'm talking about -- people who don't really understand what a real diversity initiative use this kind of crap as fuel for their arguments against "diversity" as they understand it, i.e., bringing in any female or colored face you can find, regardless of qualification.

Diversity as a factor is good.

Lowering LSAT scores 15-25 points to create a "diverse" student body - priceless.

Of course, people are free to challenge the admission facts. However, regarding tier 1 schools, I happen to know, so take what you will.

12:57, I assume that you're talking about the legacy admissions program; it's amazing how low your scores can be if you have a relative who already made it through, and how much lower they can be if said relative (or any relative) then chucked a bunch of ducats back at the school.

Did any of you go to the event? My boyfriend said she was an excellent speaker and her legal credentials were better than any partner at that firm, plus according to him "she is fine." That annoyed me, but what the hell...

I was at the event my self and must say that Mrs. Jones was an excellent choice. Her speech was beyond interesting, even inspiring. Mrs. Jones should not be chastised simply because she is a celebrity, instead view her as an attorney first and as a celebrity second, then you will realize what she truly has to offer. I think those who originally bashed this choice need to step back and look at Mrs. Jones’s achievements as an attorney, before jumping to conclusions on Weil's choice.