Eighty people attended a breakfast earlier this month to begin ADL’s 2014 Summer Associates Research Project (SARP), during which law firms allow summer associates to research questions provided by ADL that relate to the agency’s mission.  

Houston City Attorney David Feldman gave the breakfast’s keynote speech.  He talked to the associates about the process of passing the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, and applauded ADL for working hard to support the ordinance.

Congressman Al Green stopped by the breakfast and spoke about the importance of citizens challenging hate and bigotry, and helping the ADL in its mission to fight hate.  ADL board member and former chair Mark Finkelstein gave participants an overview of ADL and what they would be doing, and ADL Civil Rights Committee Member Sarah Koller spoke about how the research the associates would be doing would help shape ADL policy and programs.

ADL Board Chair Judith Finkel closed the proceeding by thanking everyone, including the host law firm Vinson & Elkins.  SARP committee members included Finkel, Koller, Finkelstein, George Gibson, Karen Westall, Mark Trachtenberg and Ellyn Josef.

Participating law firms include Andrews Kurth, Gardere, Schlanger Silver Barg & Paine, Haynes and Boone, Nathan Sommers Jacobs, Norton Rose FulBright, Reed Smith, Jones Day, Vinson & Elkins, Beck Redden, Blank Rome, and Yetter Coleman.