Iowa Joins Multistate Effort to Challenge DEI Hiring Practices

Five Republican attorneys general, including Brenna Bird of Iowa, have sent a letter to the 100 largest law firms in the United States, warning them to end race-based hiring practices or face accountability. The attorneys general argue that a recent Supreme Court decision striking down affirmative action admissions policies extends to private employers. They raise concerns about diversity programs at law firms that require diverse candidates for leadership roles, set goals for underrepresented groups, or sponsor fellowship programs based on race. The attorneys general also criticize diversity training that assigns blame or bias to members of a race. DEI programs have faced backlash from Republican leaders and lawmakers, with several red states banning DEI offices from publicly funded universities.