Analyzing Legal Strategies in Cases Involving Racism, Firearms, and the Impact of Social Media on Hate Crimes
In our second installment of Diversity seminars focused on litigating hate, you’ll hear from three attorneys involved in a major case of national importance, with racism at the core of the subject matter. Litigating against an abstract idea that has been integrated into America’s social, political, and economic infrastructure is complex.
Attendees will leave with a renewed sense of how to litigate against racism and refute the insidious idea that there is a causal link between inherited physical traits and traits of personality, intellect, morality, and other cultural and behavioral features.
The NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers is the largest statewide trial bar in the US with 5,700+ lawyer and judge members. We are committed to protecting, preserving and enhancing the civil justice system. Our highly acclaimed CLE programming features extraordinary presenters covering the most timely and important topics.
Partner at John V, Elmore, P.C.
Kristen Elmore Garcia is a litigation attorney and a partner at the law office of John V. Elmore, P.C., where she represents personal injury clients. She is a graduate of SUNY Brockport and the University of Missouri School of Law. In addition to her professional achievements, Kristen is committed to serving her local community and beyond. She is a former prosecutor, having served as an Erie County Assistant District Attorney. She currently resides in Buffalo, New York with her husband, Rafael. She is also a member of the Bar Association of Erie County, the Minority Bar Association of Western New York, and serves on the Board of Directors for the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
Attorney at GIFFORDS Law Center
Kelly Percival joined GIFFORDS Law Center as a litigation attorney in 2023. She develops affirmative litigation strategies to effectuate common-sense gun safety laws and hold the gun industry accountable for the nation's gun violence epidemic. Before joining GIFFORDS, Kelly was senior counsel with the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice. Kelly received her JD from Georgetown University Law Center, where she was a public interest fellow and a dean's merit scholar, and holds a BA from Stanford University.
Attorney at GIFFORDS Law Center
Leigh Rome joined GIFFORDS Law Center in 2022, where she is part of the litigation team and manages pro bono partnerships. Leigh acts as a liaison between GIFFORDS Law Center's legal team and pro bono partners who generously volunteer their assistance. She also supports the Firearms Accountability Counsel Taskforce (FACT), a joint effort of leading gun violence prevention organizations working with the nation's preeminent law firms to reduce gun violence. Prior to joining GIFFORDS Law Center, Leigh was a senior litigation associate at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, residing in the New York office. Leigh earned her BA from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University and her JD from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
