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Bowie: In general, my role on the task force is to Celebrating more diverse holidays, such as June-
represent Crawford and to communicate its posi- teenth, can make Black attorneys feel more welcome.
tion. On a personal level, I bring to the task force However, the celebration must be genuine.
the perspective of a Black male who has grown up in Further, I encourage firms to double down and
one of Connecticut’s largest cities, has developed his take additional steps to create a more welcoming
own views and perspective on policing reform based and comfortable environment for attorneys from di-
on that experience, and I happen to be a lawyer. verse backgrounds.
The task force is comprised of a diverse group
of individuals—attorneys, law enforcement and What’s one area in which the Crawford Black
community members—who bring with them a di- Bar Association can or needs to improve and be
verse set of experiences and are motivated to create specific?
change. Bowie: I would like to see Crawford continue
to engage with the other Connecticut affinity bar
Many large law firms across the country have associations and the Connecticut and local bar as-
announced in recent weeks their plans to com- sociations.
memorate Juneteenth, and make that day a holiday In the wake of the murder of George Floyd,
for employees. What would you advise law firms Crawford has worked closely with the affinity and
in Connecticut and how should they mark that Connecticut bar associations to address police
brutality. In my position, I have observed these re-
day beginning in 2021?
Bowie: I would advise Connecticut law firms that lationships are powerful and can lead to change and
celebrating Juneteenth can be a very positive step meaningful conversations with our various partners.
for diversity, equity and inclusion, but the decision I would like to see Crawford build on this synergy in
must be made in earnest. other areas.
There is great power in being more inclusive in the ¦

holidays we choose to celebrate. One common issue Robert Storace covers legal trends, lawsuits and
with increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in law analysis for the Connecticut Law Tribune. Follow
firms is that attorneys from diverse backgrounds of- him on Twitter @RobertSCTLaw or reach him at
ten do not feel welcome. 203-437-5950.

Roberts Is Key Vote, as US Supreme Court
Blocks Louisiana Abortion Clinic Law

By Marcia Coyle

Adivided U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled facts in a Texas case that the justices found in 2016
that Louisiana’s abortion clinic restrictions, also burdened a woman’s right to abortion.
which threatened to leave only one abortion “The result in this case is controlled by our de-
clinic operating in the state, unconstitutionally bur- cision four years ago invalidating a nearly identical
den a woman’s right to an abortion. Texas law,” wrote Roberts in his concurrence in the
Justice Stephen Breyer led the 5-4 majority, joined judgment. “The Louisiana law burdens women seek-
by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor ing previability abortions to the same extent as the
and Elena Kagan, Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. was Texas law, according to factual findings that are not
the key vote; he concurred in the outcome, writing clearly erroneous.”
that the facts in the Louisiana case mirrored the
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