ABA Midyear Meeting 2016: The Spirit of Excellence Awards

In this Special Report, Legal Talk Network producer Laurence Colletti sits down with The Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession Chair Will Gunn to discuss the Spirit of Excellence Awards and the 2016 recipients. The conversation opens with a brief history of The Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity and an exploration of its goal to eliminate bias and increase opportunities for all members of the profession. Will then gives some insight into the nomination process for the award and the criteria used to determine the finalists. He also takes a moment to introduce us to the four recipients: William Mitchell College of Law Professor of Law Sarah Deer, Illinois Department of Labor Director of Labor Hugo Chaviano, Temple University Beasley School of Law Dean and Professor of Law Joanne A. Epps, and The Marquez Law Group principal Victor M. Marquez. Laurence and Will then wrap up the conversation with a focus on the career-long struggles and achievements that made these candidates the 2016 Spirit of Excellence Award winners.

Will Gunn is the chair for The Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession. He is a consultant and practices law in Washington, D.C. Will is also a retired Air Force Judge Advocate General and formerly served as the general council for the United States Department of Veteran Affairs.