American Justice on Trial – Diversity Programs

"American Justice on Trial honors Huey Newton’s trial and defense team as critical and groundbreaking in the battle against racism embedded in the American legal system. Law professors, law students, lawyers, and historians will benefit from this well-executed, timely film."
–Thomas D. Russell, J.D., Ph.D., legal historian and law professor, University of Denver

"The film brilliantly depicts how the Newton case challenged a jury system which routinely excluded qualified Blacks from jury duty in criminal trials and revolutionized the way juries are now selected."
–Hon. Thelton Henderson, Retired Federal Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

FILM SCREENING

This Oscar-shortlisted and multi award-winning documentary is an excellent tool for exploring historical and contemporary issues around diversity and inclusion within the judicial system. The legal profession, including law firms, legal associations, and diversity programs, can benefit from screening AMERICAN JUSTICE ON TRIAL: PEOPLE V. NEWTON. The compact 40-minute film tells the behind-the-scenes story of the ground-breaking seating in 1968 of a mostly female and minority panel as a “jury of one’s peers” that galvanized the diversification of the American criminal jury across the country. The film focuses on the nation’s first African-American foreman of a major murder trial, a black banker who led a diverse jury of mostly women and minorities to consensus in the potentially explosive murder trial of Black Panther co-founder Huey Newton for the death of a white policeman. Legal experts, including Barry Scheck and Bryan Stevenson, highlight the power of diverse juries to reach more defensible results and how, in this instance, the surprising verdict likely prevented national riots.

At his trial, Newton and his maverick defense team led by Charles Garry and his then rare female co-counsel Fay Stender insisted Newton had only acted in self-defense. Their unprecedented challenges to alleged structural racism in the jury selection process were risky. If the Newton jury came back with the widely expected first degree murder verdict against the black militant, Newton would have faced the death penalty. But Newton’s defense team created a model for jury selection that still reverberates today. The film illustrates why efforts to make the justice system more inclusive will likely improve its credibility among communities at large.

PRESENTATION – MCLE CREDIT AVAILABLE

"The MCLE presentation was superb! We all learned a lot from the film, the skit and the presentation."
– Gay Grunfeld, Managing Partner, Rosen, Bien, Galvan & Grunfeld, LLP

Law firms may be interested in simply hosting a film screening for staff or clerks, or at a firm-wide event promoting diversity in the justice system. But in addition to the film, law firms can also seek to obtain an hour of MCLE credit for Elimination of Bias. Judge Lise Pearlman, film producer and author of two books on the Newton trial, is now offering MCLE credit to law firms. For many years, Pearlman has given highly acclaimed MCLE talks sponsored by the California State Bar, local bars and law firms. This newly-minted presentation includes a screening of AMERICAN JUSTICE ON TRIAL, a reenactment of an excerpt from the ground-breaking Newton trial voir dire and written materials prepared by Pearlman, including key Supreme Court cases and recently enacted California statutes limiting peremptory challenges of potential jurors.   

Judge Pearlman’s past programs have been approved for one hour of general credit for elimination of bias for California lawyers and should enable firms in other states requiring elimination of bias courses to qualify the program for their attorneys as well. Read Judge Pearlman's bio.

The presentation can take place virtually or in person (with payment of all travel expenses) and lasts about 1.5–2 hours, including film and film discussion.

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Email us to schedule presentation, for multi-office streaming, or for further information.