LexisNexis Launches New Fellowship Program Aimed at Eliminating Systemic Racism in Legal Systems

LexisNexis Legal & Professional, a leading global provider of information and analytics, launched a new Fellowship initiative from its African Ancestry Network (AAN) and LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation (LNROLF) as a part of its commitment to eliminate systemic racism in legal systems and build a culture of inclusion and diversity at the company. The program was created in partnership with the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Law School Consortium (HBCULSC), including Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University College of Law, Howard University School of Law, North Carolina Central University School of Law, Southern University Law Center, Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, and the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law.

The LexisNexis Fellowship consists of twelve law school students from the six law schools that make up the HBCULSC in its inaugural cohort, selected from a large, competitive applicant pool. The Fellows that have been selected for the 2021 Fellowship Cohort are Charles Graham, Jr. of Thurgood Marshall School of Law of Texas Southern University, Darnell-Terri Andrews of Southern University Law Center, Ebony Cormier of Southern University Law Center, Emony Robertson of Howard University School of Law, Feven Yohannes of Howard University School of Law, Herb Brown of North Carolina Central University School of Law, Jamal Bailey of the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, Kailyn Kennedy of North Carolina Central University School of Law, Oscar Draughn of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University College of Law, Paris Maulet of Thurgood Marshall School of Law of Texas Southern University, Pearl Mansu of the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, and Shayla McIntyre of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University College of Law.

“Our Fellows have demonstrated deep passion for the purpose of social justice and are willing to work to reveal and address the ugly truths of racism, poverty and inequality. One can’t help but feel an immense sense of hope, courage and achievement working with this group. Like many leaders who have gone before, the Fellows will work to build their own legacy of leadership in advancing the rule of law,” said Ronda Moore, Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer at LexisNexis Legal & Professional.

Each Fellow will be awarded $10,000 and will spend nine months engaging in a unique experience that will accelerate their career, develop their leadership skills, and create opportunities to make a real difference. LexisNexis employees will work with Fellows on projects with the shared goal of eliminating systemic racism in our legal system and implementing solutions while advancing the four key elements of the rule of law – equality under the law, transparency of law, independent judiciary, and accessible legal remedy. The Fellowship began with a  Fellowship Virtual Orientation held on March 8, 2021.  LexisNexis will invest in the Fellows’ development by providing dedicated mentorship and recurring professional development sessions that will enhance Fellows’ technology, data analytics, and leadership skills.

“The core mission of advancing the rule of law which underpins LexisNexis and its foundation has never been more important than it is today. We applaud the work being undertaken by the Fellows to expose elements of systemic racism in the legal system and address these challenges through a rule of law-framework,” said Ian McDougall, President of LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation.

Virtual programming that showcases the work of the Fellows will be shared through various initiatives internally for LexisNexis employees and externally with the HBCUs and key partners. At the culmination of the Fellowship, Fellows will present the results of their individual projects to the LexisNexis Legal & Professional CEO Mike Walsh, the Executive Team, and the HBCULSC Deans.

About LexisNexis Legal & Professional

LexisNexis Legal & Professional^® is a leading global provider of legal, regulatory and business information and analytics that helps customers increase productivity, improve decision-making and outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis^® and Nexis^® services. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 160 countries with 10,400 employees worldwide, is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.

The African Ancestry Network (AAN) is organized as an official network for employees of African descent at RELX. AAN embraces RELX corporate diversity initiatives aimed at improving the company’s competitiveness by increasing the representation, development, promotion, and retention of black employees.

About LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation

LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which has the mission to advance the rule of law around the world. The foundation efforts focus on the four key elements of the rule of law: transparency of the law, accessible legal remedy, equal treatment under the law, and independent judiciaries.