The definitions in our glossary are primarily sourced from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary and Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute. We have made slight modifications where needed for brevity and to better tailor the definitions to the specific needs of users of this website. For more detailed explanations of the terms, users are encouraged to review the definitions on these websites or conduct their own independent research.
About the Project
The Advancing DEI Initiative is a project of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at NYU School of Law. The initiative aims to collaborate with diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) leaders and supporters to ensure that the field of DEI remains integral to the evolution of organizations and institutions, benefiting all, and particularly marginalized groups.
Since the Supreme Court’s decision in June 2023 to effectively end race-conscious admissions in higher education, we have observed a significant increase in lawsuits aimed at ending similar efforts to foster just and equitable workplaces. To help leaders navigate the legal landscape, our website offers tools including:
The DEI litigation tracker, which allows users to stay informed about cases challenging DEI and how federal courts are addressing DEI issues; and
A Resources section with articles and other commentary related to DEI and the law.
We cater to both lawyers and non-lawyers, and strive to make our tools accessible to anyone who supports the values of DEI.
While the primary goal of the Advancing DEI Initiative is to provide legal insights, we aspire to build a pro-DEI movement that not only responds to the social, political, and legal challenges to DEI, but also inspires ongoing progress in addressing both visible and hidden injustices across all societal institutions. Despite the current legal landscape, we remain firm in our belief that DEI efforts will endure, and we invite you to join us in our mission to ensure its advancement.
You can learn more about the law of diversity, equity, and inclusion or read about the methodology for further information about the litigation tracker. You can also read articles on the law of DEI published by Meltzer Center personnel as well as media hits on the law of DEI that cite the Meltzer Center.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the following organizations for their generous support of the Advancing DEI Initiative:
Charter Communications
Deloitte
Goldman Sachs
Google
Morgan Stanley
Publicis Groupe
Scotiabank
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
TJX
We also wish to thank the following NYU Law students who have contributed to the Initiative: Youssef Aziz, Tyra Beck, Zoe Chang, Suchait Kahlon, Zachary Kasdin, Veronica McLean, Yasmeen Metellus, Paulina Pages, Jasmine Perez, Briana Thomas, Sunil Tohan, Olivia Turk, Austin Upshaw, and Shawn Young.
Team
Kenji Yoshino
Kenji Yoshino is the Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law at NYU School of Law and faculty director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. A graduate of Harvard, Oxford, and Yale, he is the author of four books, including his latest coauthored book, Say the Right Thing: How to Talk About Identity, Diversity, and Justice. He has won numerous awards for his teaching and scholarship, including the American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel Award, the Peck medal in jurisprudence, and NYU’s Distinguished Teaching Award.
David Glasgow
David Glasgow is the executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, an adjunct professor at NYU School of Law, and coauthor of the book Say the Right Thing: How to Talk About Identity, Diversity, and Justice. He has a BA in philosophy and an LLB from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a Master of Laws (LLM) from NYU School of Law. Prior to his role at the Meltzer Center, he practiced employment, labor relations, and antidiscrimination law at King & Wood Mallesons.
Christina Joseph
Christina Joseph is the Project Director of the Advancing DEI Initiative, committed to advancing DEI in the current legal landscape. Prior to this role, she worked at The Bronx Defenders for over six years, a holistic public defender non-profit, where she played an integral role in executing initiatives and policies geared towards fostering an inclusive, anti-oppressive environment. Christina is a graduate of Howard University (BBA in Marketing, summa cum laude) and Harvard Law School JD.
Contact Christina at christina.joseph@nyu.edu.