Newton, MA--On March 12, 2012, Boston College Law School held its fourth annual Diversity Bar cocktail event at the school, inviting representatives from state affinity and mainstream bar associations to come, mingle with the students, and discuss life after law school with their respective groups.

The Bar Review event was the opening celebration of Diversity Month at BC Law, which runs through the end of March. It is the first attended by BC Law's new Dean, Vincent D. Rougeau, who came to the school in July 2011. In attendance were members from the Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts, Boston Bar Association, Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys, Massachusetts Bar Association, Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association, Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association, and Women's Bar Association.

"The event was a wonderful joint effort by all of the organizations involved," said Alumni Board Member for Affinity Groups Ingrid Schroffner ('95), who helped coordinate the bar review. "I'd like to thank everyone who helped put this together."

Approximately 200 students and faculty mingled with alumni at the event. The bar review was once again sponsored by Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, as part of its sponsorship of Diversity Month. Diversity Month is an annual tradition at BC Law, where the LSA partners with other student groups and alumni to sponsor various activities, including speakers, panels, film screenings, and receptions related to diversity.

Other events this year include:

Thursday, March 15
A Night at the MFA
5-7 pm, the Museum of Fine Art, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston
Join NALSA on a free guided tour through the Art of the Americas Wing, with a particular focus on the MFA’s Native American art. Dinner will follow, at a restaurant TBD. You must RSVP for this event - for more information, please email Meagan Durigan at durigan@bc.edu.

Monday, March 19
Domestic Violence in the South Asian Community: A Panel Discussion
12-1 pm, Stuart 411
Enjoy a delicious lunch of Indian food with stimulating conversation with community experts, lawyers, and professors on domestic violence in the South Asian community. Why is this issue not talked about? What are the unique issues faced by immigrants who suffer domestic violence? Co-sponsored by SALSA and the Gender Violence Awareness Coalition.

Defense of Marriage Act panel discussion
5-6:30 pm, location TBD
Join LAMBDA and the Federalist Society for a panel discussion on the Defense of Marriage Act. The moderator will be Prof. Kent Greenfield and the panel will be comprised of Jon Miller from the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, Vickie Henry from GLAD and Dale Schowegerdt from Alliance Defense Fund. Dinner will be served with refreshments to follow.  

Wednesday, March 21
Village of Versailles movie viewing
12 p.m. - 1 p.m., location TBD
Watch Village of Versailles, a documentary that follows the tight-knit Vietnamese community that settled in New Orleans 30 years before Katrina and their struggles to rebuild and protect their neighborhood from environmental threats, including plans for a toxic landfill. There will also be delicious Vietnamese sandwiches served. Sponsored by APALSA.

Which Way Home movie viewing
3:00 PM EW 115A
LALSA is screening "Which Way Home," a documentary which follows several unaccompanied child migrants as they journey though Mexico en route to the U.S. on a freight train they call "The Beast." These are stories of hope and courage, disappointment and sorrow. The documentary presents an insightful perspective on immigration. Please stop by for a quick study break and also enjoy empanadas from Camino Real!

Thursday, March 22
Make Your Own Sundaes: A fundraiser to benefit Rosie’s Place
3:30-4:30 pm, Barat House, Minimum donation of $2
Enjoy ice cream and sundae toppings from Lizzie’s Ice Cream with all proceeds going to benefit Rosie’s Place, a shelter for poor and homeless women that provides emergency and long-term assistance. Sponsored by the Women’s Law Center.

Inter-ALSA Alumni Career Panel: Diversity in the Workplace
5-7 pm, EW 200  
Enjoy dinner and the perspectives of alumni from each of the ALSAs as they discuss what diversity has meant to them in their practice and in their workplace, among other discussion topics. Co-sponsored by LAMBDA, Black Law Students Association, Latin American Law Students Association, South Asian Law Students Association, and Asian Pacific American Law Students Association.

Wednesday, March 28
Bend It Like Beckham movie viewing
3 pm, location Stuart 408
Take a study break, enjoy samosas galore and watch the hilarious and touching movie Bend It Like Beckham. The movie is about a Sikh young woman who just wants to play football like her idol, David Beckham, but has several cultural obstacles thrown in her path. Sponsored by SALSA.

Thursday, March 29
Taste of Diversity, 1-3:30 pm, Barat House
Enjoy tons of free food from different student organizations that celebrates the taste of diversity within the BC Law community. Gag Order, the law school’s a capella group, will also perform.