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Yvette McGee Brown ’85 receives Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award

News Type Alumni
News Topic
McGee Brown

Yvette McGee Brown ’85 has recently received the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award, which honors a graduate or friend of the College who has advocated on behalf of marginalized communities, furthered the goals of diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice, or as an alum of a diverse population, has trailblazed a path for those diverse professionals who will follow by making a difference through their legal education.

Yvette McGee Brown was the first African American woman to serve as a Justice on the Ohio Supreme Court and the first African American woman elected to the Franklin County Common Pleas Court. She is currently the Partner-in-Charge of Diversity, Inclusion and Advancement at Jones Day.  In this role, she leads the diversity strategy for the firm and works with her partners on recruiting, retention, and advancement of diverse and women lawyers; advises and partners with clients on diversity initiatives; and supports efforts to increase diversity in the legal profession while maintaining an active litigation and appellate practice.

She serves on the College’s National Council and its Time and Change campaign committee.  She has been an active board member for the Law and Leadership Institute, a collaborative program among Ohio's legal community and eight law schools that gives underserved youth an opportunity to explore the law and develop stronger academic skills. She is also a frequent speaker and panelist for the College’s law students. She was the founding president of the Center for Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and is the past recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from The Ohio State University; the William Oxley Thompson Alumni Award for Distinguished Achievement from The Ohio State University Alumni Association; and the Moritz College of Law’s Public Service Award.  She is an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association and has served as a director for two public companies and as the board chair for The Ohio State University Alumni Association. She currently serves on the board of directors for Encova Mutual Insurance Group, The Jeffrey Company, and KIPP Columbus. In 2018, she created a current use scholarship at Moritz supporting law students from diverse backgrounds. Yvette received her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Public Relations from Ohio University; her Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law; an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Ohio Dominican University; and honorary Doctorates from Wilberforce University and Central State University.

News Type Alumni
News Topic