I just returned from the 19th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon hosted by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area.  I’ve always found this to be an amazing event, and this year was no different.  I was particularly honored to be sitting with my friends at Sheppard Mullin and next to one of the recipients of the inaugural LCCR Living the Dream Partner Award, Robert Thompson.

Professor Lawrence D. Bobo, the Martin Luther King Jr. Centennial Professor at Stanford University, delievered the keynote address.  In his discussion of affirmative action, he emphasized that "excellence and equity, achievement and diversity are not in conflict."  With respect to college admissions, Bobo stated we need to rethink the definition of "merit."  Particularly in light of the recent deaths of Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King, Bobo’s message that there’s a lot more work to do really hit home.

Among the other award recipients:  Sandra L. Geiger (for her great work with the Legal Services for Entrepreneurs program) and Tanya Neiman, VLSP Director and Associate General Counsel of the Bar Association of San Francisco.