Michele Roberts is the first female executive director of the National Basketball Players Association. She has a background as a public defender and trial lawyer. Roberts traded her career in private practice to become the union chief for the NBA players. As the union director, she negotiates collective bargaining agreements with the NBA and advocates for the interests of over 400 professional basketball players. Roberts draws on her litigation skills to effectively represent the players and navigate interactions with various stakeholders in the NBA.
MCBA Annual Installation of the 119th President.
Nearly 350 attorneys, judges, colleagues and friends gathered to installation the 119th President of the MCBA.
Jason Grill is an attorney and founder of Grill Law Firm, LLC in Kansas City, Missouri. He received his JD from the University of Missouri and has worked at several prestigious law firms. After graduating from college, Jason also served as a special assistant to Vice President Al Gore's senior advisor. He currently teaches at Park University and serves on various nonprofit boards.
This document summarizes an event called "Healing & Hope 2012" that celebrates children serving life without parole sentences. It includes quotes from various individuals in prison since they were juveniles, describing the hopelessness and struggle of their situations. It also lists honorary guests and thanking sponsors and partners who supported the event. The purpose seems to be raising awareness of the issue of juveniles receiving life without parole sentences and advocating for changing these types of sentencing policies.
This article summarizes a Baltimore Sun investigation that found Baltimore has paid over $600,000 to settle lawsuits against one police officer, Michael McSpadden, alleging excessive force and brutality. It also found a few other officers have faced multiple lawsuits. However, the city has not properly tracked these cases or identified problem officers. This led the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation. While city officials say they are working to improve tracking systems, some say not enough has been done to increase transparency around police misconduct.
The document provides information about the Law Offices of Kevin J. Roach, LLC, a criminal defense law firm based in Chesterfield, Missouri. It lists the company's contact information, including phone number, address, and website. It also provides a brief description of the types of criminal cases they handle, such as DWI charges, drug crimes, theft charges, assault, and domestic assault.
WZAQ FM 92.3 is a contemporary Christian radio station located in Louisa, Kentucky that serves the communities of Cattletsburg, Prestonsburg, Olive Hill, Grayson, Inez, and South Williamson. The station is the only Christian FM station in the area. Lisa Mollett is the sales manager and contact for advertising opportunities. Contemporary Christian music radio is growing rapidly and listeners tend to be loyal to advertisers on these stations. The city of Louisa has experienced significant growth and new business development in recent years.
This document discusses officer wellness and how the design of police facilities can support it. It notes that officer work involves high stress physically and emotionally. Good design principles for facilities include dedicated staff entry areas, access to natural light and good air quality, and technologies to monitor indoor conditions. The "patrol triangle" of locker rooms, briefing areas, and vehicle access is important to optimize officers' efficiency. Wellness components discussed include exercise facilities, nutrition, sleep, and mental resilience. Overall the goal is for facilities to provide safe, secure environments that holistically support officer health and wellbeing.
MCBA Annual Installation of the 119th President.
Nearly 350 attorneys, judges, colleagues and friends gathered to installation the 119th President of the MCBA.
Jason Grill is an attorney and founder of Grill Law Firm, LLC in Kansas City, Missouri. He received his JD from the University of Missouri and has worked at several prestigious law firms. After graduating from college, Jason also served as a special assistant to Vice President Al Gore's senior advisor. He currently teaches at Park University and serves on various nonprofit boards.
This document summarizes an event called "Healing & Hope 2012" that celebrates children serving life without parole sentences. It includes quotes from various individuals in prison since they were juveniles, describing the hopelessness and struggle of their situations. It also lists honorary guests and thanking sponsors and partners who supported the event. The purpose seems to be raising awareness of the issue of juveniles receiving life without parole sentences and advocating for changing these types of sentencing policies.
This article summarizes a Baltimore Sun investigation that found Baltimore has paid over $600,000 to settle lawsuits against one police officer, Michael McSpadden, alleging excessive force and brutality. It also found a few other officers have faced multiple lawsuits. However, the city has not properly tracked these cases or identified problem officers. This led the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation. While city officials say they are working to improve tracking systems, some say not enough has been done to increase transparency around police misconduct.
The document provides information about the Law Offices of Kevin J. Roach, LLC, a criminal defense law firm based in Chesterfield, Missouri. It lists the company's contact information, including phone number, address, and website. It also provides a brief description of the types of criminal cases they handle, such as DWI charges, drug crimes, theft charges, assault, and domestic assault.
WZAQ FM 92.3 is a contemporary Christian radio station located in Louisa, Kentucky that serves the communities of Cattletsburg, Prestonsburg, Olive Hill, Grayson, Inez, and South Williamson. The station is the only Christian FM station in the area. Lisa Mollett is the sales manager and contact for advertising opportunities. Contemporary Christian music radio is growing rapidly and listeners tend to be loyal to advertisers on these stations. The city of Louisa has experienced significant growth and new business development in recent years.
This document discusses officer wellness and how the design of police facilities can support it. It notes that officer work involves high stress physically and emotionally. Good design principles for facilities include dedicated staff entry areas, access to natural light and good air quality, and technologies to monitor indoor conditions. The "patrol triangle" of locker rooms, briefing areas, and vehicle access is important to optimize officers' efficiency. Wellness components discussed include exercise facilities, nutrition, sleep, and mental resilience. Overall the goal is for facilities to provide safe, secure environments that holistically support officer health and wellbeing.
This document contains a final project by Katlyn Kniceley for an APPD course. It includes 14 sections analyzing elements of design - color, line, shape, value, texture, illusions of motion, balance, emphasis, proportion/scale, and rhythm. Each section contains 1-2 examples with images and captions explaining how the examples demonstrate that design element. The document also includes citations for the images used.
EMI, Sony BMG, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group are four major music institutions. EMI was founded in 1897 and merged with Columbia in 1930. Sony BMG was formed through mergers and acquisitions starting in 1929. Universal Music Group originated as part of Universal Pictures in the 1930s and was renamed in 1996 after acquisitions. Warner Music Group was founded in 1958 as Warner Bros. Records and went through ownership changes over the decades. Copyright law requires permission to use other artists' music and credits them to avoid legal issues.
This document describes an elementary math addition activity created using the Frolyc platform. The activity involves basic addition facts, applying those facts, and different mental processes. It uses Depth of Knowledge levels to describe the cognitive demand, from recall to applying skills. Bloom's taxonomy is also aligned, from remembering to applying concepts. The activity has 6 pages and aligns with Common Core standards for grades 1 and 2. Frolyc allows teachers to author and publish interactive iPad activities that present math concepts in various ways to engage students.
Richard Dyer's star theory proposes that celebrities are constructed for financial and institutional reasons. The theory includes three categories: constructed stars who gain popularity through media promotion rather than real personality; commodity stars whose public image is crafted to sell merchandise; and ideologists who act as role models through their behavior and charitable causes. Justin Bieber exemplifies all three categories as his early social media promotion constructed his stardom, his merchandise sales make him a commodity star, and his charity work positions him as an ideologist.
Prince Kumar Srivastava is seeking a challenging career to utilize his skills towards organizational growth. He has over 5 years of experience in installation, commissioning, integration and maintenance of telecom network equipment for various clients like Vodafone, Nokia Siemens, Huawei, Ericsson, and Reliance Jio. His technical skills include GSM, 3G, 4G network deployment along with transmission links. He holds a B.Tech degree in Electronics and Communication and has completed various training programs to enhance his technical abilities.
The document provides instructions for creating an account and submitting a paper writing request on the HelpWriting.net website. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Create an account with an email and password. 2) Complete a 10-minute order form providing instructions, sources, and deadline. 3) Review bids from writers and choose one. 4) Review the completed paper and authorize payment. 5) Request revisions to ensure satisfaction, with the option of a full refund for plagiarized work.
Prepared Remarks for City Attorney Dennis Herrera: La Raza Lawyers of Sacramento 2005 Swearing-In Ceremony & Lunch Banquet, Radisson Hotel, Sacramento, California (June 22, 2005)
The document introduces SameSexSunday, a weekly political roundtable that will discuss LGBT issues. It will feature influential LGBT leaders and thinkers from across the political spectrum. Issues to be discussed include employment discrimination, relationship recognition, youth health, and creating a more inclusive society. The roundtable will include figures such as Phil Attey, Bruce Carroll, Michael Crawford, Chris Geidner, Cathy Renna, Andy Szekeres, Dr. Jillian Weiss, and others. In addition to the roundtable, the show will feature interviews, debates, and panels on current LGBT news. Listeners are encouraged to engage online and subscribe via Facebook and iTunes.
The document introduces SameSexSunday, a weekly political roundtable that will discuss LGBT issues. It will feature influential LGBT leaders and thinkers from across the political spectrum. Issues to be discussed include employment discrimination, relationship recognition, youth health, and creating a more inclusive society. The roundtable hopes to bring new perspectives to push these important issues forward.
Retired judge Michele F. Lowrance will receive the 2015 Samuel S. Berger Award on April 25th for her excellence in family law. The award ceremony will be held at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago and recognizes attorneys and judges who exemplify the highest standards of integrity, courtesy, knowledge of family law, and the ability to solve human problems. Lowrance currently serves as a mediator and has never lost a case. She has been a domestic relations judge for 20 years and authored several books on divorce.
The film "42" tells the story of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. It shows how his manager Branch Rickey served as a mentor who believed in Robinson and guided him on overcoming the racism he faced. The film provides important lessons on civil rights, character, and the role of mentors. It highlights how Robinson's accomplishments were a pivotal moment in U.S. history and paved the way for the civil rights movement. The article argues the film should be required viewing for students to learn about institutional racism and gain inspiration from Robinson and Rickey's example.
The document is a questionnaire completed by Lucy Noble Inman, a candidate for the Court of Appeals. It provides biographical information about Inman, including where she was born and lived, as well as her responses to questions about her political and religious views and affiliations with organizations. Inman describes growing up in Raleigh and living in various places while attending school and working as a reporter and lawyer. She explains that her views are complex and not one-dimensional, and that she will uphold the constitution as a judge without imposing personal moral views or religious faith.
The life and career of richie roberts practicing criminal defense attorney an...LawCrossing
Richard Roberts Or Richie Is Real Life Hero. He Is A Crime-Fighting Police Detective And Gone On High-Risk Stakeouts, Brushed Shoulders And Locked Eyes With The Bad Guys. For All These Reasons He Is Known As American Hero.
Cons Of Death Penalty Essay. Advantages of Death PenaltySusan Neal
The Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty: A Free Essay Example. Death Penalty Persuasive Essay | Essay on Death Penalty Persuasive for .... Wonderful Death Penalty Essay Against Argumentative ~ Thatsnotus. Argumentative Essay About Death Penalty – Telegraph. Pro death penalty essay - College Homework Help and Online Tutoring.. Top Introduction To Death Penalty Essay ~ Thatsnotus. Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty (400 Words) - PHDessay.com. DEATH PENALTY Argumentative Essay | Capital Punishment | Murder. Calaméo - Death Penalty essay. Essay on death penalty | Capital Punishment | Deterrence (Legal). 005 Introduction To Death Penalty Essay Essays On Capital Punishment L .... Pros and Cons of Death Penalty - GRIN. ANTI Death Penalty Argumentative Essay - ANTI-DEATH PENALTY .... The death penalty cons - winmons.web.fc2.com. Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty Essay Example | Topics and Well .... Argument Against Death Penalty Essay. 011 Death Penalty Essay Outline On ~ Thatsnotus. Pro death penalty essay | Order Custom Essays at littlechums.com.. Expository essay: Death penalty argumentative essay. Admission essay: Argumentative essay on the death penalty. Quotes About Death Penalty Cons. QuotesGram. Debate the pro' and cons of death penalty Essay. Advantages of Death Penalty. 007 Death Penalty Essay Pro Outline Cons Articles Pros And .... Death Penalty Outline | Capital Punishment In The United States ....
The document discusses women-to-women (lesbian) relationships. It defines lesbians as women who are sexually attracted to other women. Historically, lesbian relationships were illegal and socially unacceptable. Over time, the lesbian rights movement has advocated for greater legal protections and recognition of lesbian relationships and families. While same-sex marriage is now legal in some places, lesbian couples still face challenges in gaining full equal rights and social acceptance compared to heterosexual couples. The document also discusses various aspects of building and maintaining healthy lesbian relationships, such as communication, commitment, and creating a supportive community.
This research paper discusses common habits that can accelerate the aging process and ways to reverse them. Drinking water instead of sugary drinks and losing excess weight are recommended, as studies have found this can lead to more weight loss. Getting enough quality sleep is also important, as lack of sleep has been linked to premature aging. Eating a diet high in antioxidants from fruits and vegetables can help protect against cellular damage. Regular exercise is also highlighted, as physical activity helps reduce stress and promotes circulation.
This document outlines the 5 steps to get writing assistance from HelpWriting.net:
1. Create an account with a password and email.
2. Complete a 10-minute order form providing instructions, sources, deadline, and attaching a sample for style imitation.
3. Review bids from writers and choose one based on qualifications, history, and feedback, then pay a deposit.
4. Review the completed paper and authorize full payment if satisfied, or request free revisions.
5. Request multiple revisions to ensure satisfaction, and HelpWriting.net guarantees original, high-quality work with refunds for plagiarism.
This document contains a final project by Katlyn Kniceley for an APPD course. It includes 14 sections analyzing elements of design - color, line, shape, value, texture, illusions of motion, balance, emphasis, proportion/scale, and rhythm. Each section contains 1-2 examples with images and captions explaining how the examples demonstrate that design element. The document also includes citations for the images used.
EMI, Sony BMG, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group are four major music institutions. EMI was founded in 1897 and merged with Columbia in 1930. Sony BMG was formed through mergers and acquisitions starting in 1929. Universal Music Group originated as part of Universal Pictures in the 1930s and was renamed in 1996 after acquisitions. Warner Music Group was founded in 1958 as Warner Bros. Records and went through ownership changes over the decades. Copyright law requires permission to use other artists' music and credits them to avoid legal issues.
This document describes an elementary math addition activity created using the Frolyc platform. The activity involves basic addition facts, applying those facts, and different mental processes. It uses Depth of Knowledge levels to describe the cognitive demand, from recall to applying skills. Bloom's taxonomy is also aligned, from remembering to applying concepts. The activity has 6 pages and aligns with Common Core standards for grades 1 and 2. Frolyc allows teachers to author and publish interactive iPad activities that present math concepts in various ways to engage students.
Richard Dyer's star theory proposes that celebrities are constructed for financial and institutional reasons. The theory includes three categories: constructed stars who gain popularity through media promotion rather than real personality; commodity stars whose public image is crafted to sell merchandise; and ideologists who act as role models through their behavior and charitable causes. Justin Bieber exemplifies all three categories as his early social media promotion constructed his stardom, his merchandise sales make him a commodity star, and his charity work positions him as an ideologist.
Prince Kumar Srivastava is seeking a challenging career to utilize his skills towards organizational growth. He has over 5 years of experience in installation, commissioning, integration and maintenance of telecom network equipment for various clients like Vodafone, Nokia Siemens, Huawei, Ericsson, and Reliance Jio. His technical skills include GSM, 3G, 4G network deployment along with transmission links. He holds a B.Tech degree in Electronics and Communication and has completed various training programs to enhance his technical abilities.
The document provides instructions for creating an account and submitting a paper writing request on the HelpWriting.net website. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Create an account with an email and password. 2) Complete a 10-minute order form providing instructions, sources, and deadline. 3) Review bids from writers and choose one. 4) Review the completed paper and authorize payment. 5) Request revisions to ensure satisfaction, with the option of a full refund for plagiarized work.
Prepared Remarks for City Attorney Dennis Herrera: La Raza Lawyers of Sacramento 2005 Swearing-In Ceremony & Lunch Banquet, Radisson Hotel, Sacramento, California (June 22, 2005)
The document introduces SameSexSunday, a weekly political roundtable that will discuss LGBT issues. It will feature influential LGBT leaders and thinkers from across the political spectrum. Issues to be discussed include employment discrimination, relationship recognition, youth health, and creating a more inclusive society. The roundtable will include figures such as Phil Attey, Bruce Carroll, Michael Crawford, Chris Geidner, Cathy Renna, Andy Szekeres, Dr. Jillian Weiss, and others. In addition to the roundtable, the show will feature interviews, debates, and panels on current LGBT news. Listeners are encouraged to engage online and subscribe via Facebook and iTunes.
The document introduces SameSexSunday, a weekly political roundtable that will discuss LGBT issues. It will feature influential LGBT leaders and thinkers from across the political spectrum. Issues to be discussed include employment discrimination, relationship recognition, youth health, and creating a more inclusive society. The roundtable hopes to bring new perspectives to push these important issues forward.
Retired judge Michele F. Lowrance will receive the 2015 Samuel S. Berger Award on April 25th for her excellence in family law. The award ceremony will be held at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago and recognizes attorneys and judges who exemplify the highest standards of integrity, courtesy, knowledge of family law, and the ability to solve human problems. Lowrance currently serves as a mediator and has never lost a case. She has been a domestic relations judge for 20 years and authored several books on divorce.
The film "42" tells the story of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. It shows how his manager Branch Rickey served as a mentor who believed in Robinson and guided him on overcoming the racism he faced. The film provides important lessons on civil rights, character, and the role of mentors. It highlights how Robinson's accomplishments were a pivotal moment in U.S. history and paved the way for the civil rights movement. The article argues the film should be required viewing for students to learn about institutional racism and gain inspiration from Robinson and Rickey's example.
The document is a questionnaire completed by Lucy Noble Inman, a candidate for the Court of Appeals. It provides biographical information about Inman, including where she was born and lived, as well as her responses to questions about her political and religious views and affiliations with organizations. Inman describes growing up in Raleigh and living in various places while attending school and working as a reporter and lawyer. She explains that her views are complex and not one-dimensional, and that she will uphold the constitution as a judge without imposing personal moral views or religious faith.
The life and career of richie roberts practicing criminal defense attorney an...LawCrossing
Richard Roberts Or Richie Is Real Life Hero. He Is A Crime-Fighting Police Detective And Gone On High-Risk Stakeouts, Brushed Shoulders And Locked Eyes With The Bad Guys. For All These Reasons He Is Known As American Hero.
Cons Of Death Penalty Essay. Advantages of Death PenaltySusan Neal
The Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty: A Free Essay Example. Death Penalty Persuasive Essay | Essay on Death Penalty Persuasive for .... Wonderful Death Penalty Essay Against Argumentative ~ Thatsnotus. Argumentative Essay About Death Penalty – Telegraph. Pro death penalty essay - College Homework Help and Online Tutoring.. Top Introduction To Death Penalty Essay ~ Thatsnotus. Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty (400 Words) - PHDessay.com. DEATH PENALTY Argumentative Essay | Capital Punishment | Murder. Calaméo - Death Penalty essay. Essay on death penalty | Capital Punishment | Deterrence (Legal). 005 Introduction To Death Penalty Essay Essays On Capital Punishment L .... Pros and Cons of Death Penalty - GRIN. ANTI Death Penalty Argumentative Essay - ANTI-DEATH PENALTY .... The death penalty cons - winmons.web.fc2.com. Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty Essay Example | Topics and Well .... Argument Against Death Penalty Essay. 011 Death Penalty Essay Outline On ~ Thatsnotus. Pro death penalty essay | Order Custom Essays at littlechums.com.. Expository essay: Death penalty argumentative essay. Admission essay: Argumentative essay on the death penalty. Quotes About Death Penalty Cons. QuotesGram. Debate the pro' and cons of death penalty Essay. Advantages of Death Penalty. 007 Death Penalty Essay Pro Outline Cons Articles Pros And .... Death Penalty Outline | Capital Punishment In The United States ....
The document discusses women-to-women (lesbian) relationships. It defines lesbians as women who are sexually attracted to other women. Historically, lesbian relationships were illegal and socially unacceptable. Over time, the lesbian rights movement has advocated for greater legal protections and recognition of lesbian relationships and families. While same-sex marriage is now legal in some places, lesbian couples still face challenges in gaining full equal rights and social acceptance compared to heterosexual couples. The document also discusses various aspects of building and maintaining healthy lesbian relationships, such as communication, commitment, and creating a supportive community.
This research paper discusses common habits that can accelerate the aging process and ways to reverse them. Drinking water instead of sugary drinks and losing excess weight are recommended, as studies have found this can lead to more weight loss. Getting enough quality sleep is also important, as lack of sleep has been linked to premature aging. Eating a diet high in antioxidants from fruits and vegetables can help protect against cellular damage. Regular exercise is also highlighted, as physical activity helps reduce stress and promotes circulation.
This document outlines the 5 steps to get writing assistance from HelpWriting.net:
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Lesbian relationships have faced challenges due to societal and legal biases. Historically, lesbianism was seen as strange and illegal. Lesbians kept their relationships secret to avoid discrimination. Over time, activists advocated for greater legal rights and recognition of lesbian identities. Same-sex marriage is now legal in some places, but lesbians still face barriers to equal treatment and do not have all the civil rights of heterosexual couples. Building healthy lesbian relationships requires open communication, shared power, and supportive communities.
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MicheleRoberts_profile
1. SPOTLIGHTING BY LYDIA LUM
A Courtside Ally
Career Trial Lawyer is Changing the Face of Men’s Basketball
AS A PUBLIC DEFENDER, Michele Roberts fought for clients who might
have been convicted and sentenced to prison if not for her tenacity. In private
practice, Roberts tackled matters that attracted as many news headlines as
her murder cases did.
AS A PUBLIC DEFENDER, Michele Roberts fought for clients who might
have been convicted and sentenced to prison if not for her tenacity. In private
practice, Roberts tackled matters that attracted as many news headlines as
her murder cases did.
Michele Roberts
traded in her career
as a pre-eminent
litigation partner in
Big Law to become
executive director of
the National Basketball
Players Association.
A childhood fan of
the New York Knicks,
Roberts comprehended
at a young age that
many players’ salaries
improved the lives of
low-income families.
Since 2014, she has been executive director of the New York City-based National Basketball
Players Association, the first female union chief in major American sports. Yet even now,
she is struck by the many stakeholders who watch her every move.
“I was naïve,” Roberts said. “I had no clue how much interest there would
be in the fact that I’m a woman.”
Naïve? Clueless? Does that remotely describe someone who
was recruited for Anita Hill’s legal team during Senate
hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clar-
ence Thomas?
“Michele is the last person I would call
naïve,” said Gary Kohlman, the union’s general
counsel who watched her blossom from an
ambitious student into a formidable
trial lawyer.
Roberts also navigates pub-
lic perceptions that didn’t arise
during her high-profile legal
career in the nation’s capital.
“I don’t want any failure of
mine to haunt a successor,” she
said. “Before coming here, I never
felt the need to be the best for the
sake of the next person—in this
instance, the next woman—who
wants this job. I constantly meet
people who say, ‘We’re rooting for
you. You’re giving our daughters
hope. Our children are counting
on you.’”
The union job is her first in pro
sports, but she sees similarities to
commercial litigation for Fortune®
500 clients. Both rely on skills in
changing people’s minds and in
managing multiple constituencies.
While practicing law, she commu-
nicated with company sharehold-
10 DIVERSITY & THE BAR NOV.DEC 2016 MCCA.COM
2. ers, senior corporate executives,
federal agency officials and other
litigators. At the union, she deals
with the league, agents, fans, the
news media and 400-plus male
basketball players.
Just as she used to speak re-
spectfully to jurors—mindful not
to talk down to them—she does the
same nowadays with players.
Path to Law
Roberts’ single-parent mother
raised five children in New York
public housing. The boys con-
trolled the family TV, and Knicks
basketball games were favorites.
Roberts fell in love. She learned
that many players came from
neighborhoods like hers and that
their salaries helped lift their fami-
lies out of poverty.
A teenage Roberts won a schol-
arship to a boarding school where
African-American students were
few, her first time in an over-
whelmingly white environment.
Before leaving home, she
shared a hobby with her mother.
Lacking cash for movies or recre-
ation, the mother frequented the
Bronx Supreme Court to watch
the proceedings. The girl tagged
along starting at age 10. When her
mother explained that poor people
received free legal help from
public defenders, the girl found the
career appealing.
While earning a JD at the
University of California, Berkeley,
in the late 1970s, she defended San
Quentin State Prison inmates in
disciplinary hearings that often
resulted in reinstatement of privi-
leges such as conjugal visits.
Kohlman, meanwhile, visited
Berkeley to recruit for the Public
Defender Service for the District
of Columbia, where he was trial
division chief. After interviewing
Roberts, he urged his bosses to
meet her.
“Michele had empathy for
people,” Kohlman said. “Her sense
of being in command gave her
the ability to connect well with
juries. How she expressed and
conducted herself had an element
of mystery, an enigmatic quality. I
could see all this translating well in
a courtroom.”
On a fast break to excellence
Upon joining the public defender’s
office in 1980, Roberts noticed that
opposing counsel assumed she was
incompetent and lacked law firm
job offers. So she became relentless
in trial preparation.
“This misconception about pub-
lic defenders prompted me to prove
my commitment and my talent,”
Roberts said in a 2008 Diversity
& the Bar interview. “I make it my
business to be the best lawyer in
the room; it stems from needing to
prove my excellence when I was
starting out.”
Courtroom successes came, too.
Among them was a case in which
10 people stood trial for the 1984
rape and murder of a 48-year-old
mother of six.
Jurors acquitted only
two defendants—including
Roberts’ client.
After eight years as a public
defender, she left to practice with
colleagues such as Kohlman, ex-
panding into civil and white-collar
criminal litigation.
In 1991, a former colleague
of Roberts sought help. He was
advising Hill, a former government
employee who was set to testify
during Senate confirmation hear-
ings for Thomas. Hill had alleged
that Thomas made unwelcome,
sexually provocative remarks to
her when they worked together.
Roberts spent hours interro-
gating and cross-examining her
in preparation for the all-male,
Senate panel.
Hill didn’t break down during
the nationally televised hearings.
Thomas, who denied her allega-
tions, ascended to the Supreme
Court, but Hill’s graphic testi-
mony ignited broader public
At the union, she deals with the league, agents, fans, the news
media and 400-plus male basketball players.
MCCA.COM NOV.DEC 2016 DIVERSITY & THE BAR 11
3. awareness of sexual harassment
in workplaces.
By the early 2000s, Roberts
moved to big law firms and in
2008, was recognized on MCCA’s
annual Rainmakers List. Still, she
did more than serve clients.
When Lisa Gilford joined the
Los Angeles office of Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
in 2013 as a litigation partner, she
knew of Roberts only by reputa-
tion, which included having tried
100-plus cases to jury verdict in
federal and state courts before
joining Skadden’s Washington, D.C.
office two years earlier.
Roberts bridged 2,300 miles
between them by hosting Gilford
for dinner and introducing her to
African-American associates in the
DC office.
A sponsor and mentor to
Skadden’s junior lawyers, espe-
cially women and minorities,
Roberts “understood we needed
to form a community, and she
went out of her way to make it
happen,” Gilford said, calling her
down-to-earth demeanor a rarity
among superstars.
Her wit was apparent when
“she introduced herself to a group
of associates by noting that she
used to be poor, became rich, and
rich is better,” Gilford said. “Mi-
chele’s upbringing informed her
ability to walk into any room and
relate to others.”
Gravitating Toward
Basketball Labor Force
Roberts regularly attended
Washington Wizards games,
dating to when the team sported a
different name.
But players for the Wizards,
her hometown Knicks and the
PHOTOSCOURTESYOFNATIONALBASKETBALLPLAYERSASSOCIATION
Since becoming executive director of the National Basketball Players Association in 2014, Michele Roberts has
worked to mend relations between the union and its members. Consequently, she talks often with union president
Chris Paul, who’s in his 12th
season playing pro basketball.
12 DIVERSITY & THE BAR NOV.DEC 2016 MCCA.COM
4. league’s 28 other teams endured a
five-month lockout in 2011 because
negotiations between their union
and the league collapsed during
collective bargaining. Roberts grew
further dismayed in 2013 when Bil-
ly Hunter, then-executive director
of the union, was fired by players
after an investigation revealed
Hunter made questionable financial
decisions using union funds. She
began researching union operations
and contacted the search firm sift-
ing through 300 job candidates.
In a vote of union leaders the
following year, Roberts defeated
two other finalists—both men—by
winning players over with her per-
sonal and professional narratives.
In recent months, she has
been negotiating a new collective
bargaining agreement with league
officials. The current one—its rat-
ification ended the 2011 lockout—
gives players a smaller percentage
of basketball-related income than
what they received before the
lockout. The agreement lasts until
2021, but the league and the union
are each permitted to opt out of
it, meaning another work stop-
page could occur. Long after the
current agreement was brokered,
the league secured a new, national
TV rights deal—reportedly worth
$24 billion over nine years—that
took effect at the start of the 2016-
17 basketball season. Each team’s
player payroll surged from the cash
influx, so it’s no surprise the union
wants a new agreement.
Roberts and league officials have
pledged not to negotiate through
the news media, but Kohlman
illustrated how Roberts protects
and promotes player interests in a
related area:
Before Roberts’ tenure, play-
ers typically received their group
licensing checks—shares from sales
of video games, jerseys and other
official league merchandise—at
meetings convened by union offi-
cials, who kept checks for months
at a time.
Under Roberts, the payments
are distributed immediately to
players, rather than used as moti-
vators to attend meetings focused
on union priorities. Meaning, she
trusts them to show up.
“Michele recognizes them as
grown men,” Kohlman said of
the players. “It’s a palpable trust.
There’s a remarkable connection
she has made, paying such close
attention, it’s as if she hangs onto
their every word.”
He adds, “They made the right
choice hiring her. She knows
combat, is excellent at negotiat-
ing and is always well-prepared
yet realistic.”
Enjoying Today
Roberts doesn’t miss practicing law
and encourages others to consider
intriguing career options.
“You might believe you can
make a move tomorrow, but today
might be the time the opportu-
nity is available,” she said. “Don’t
let fear of the unknown deter or
stop you. There will be things you
cannot learn how to do until you
have made the move. Life is not a
dress rehearsal.”
Her honeymoon at the union
has faded, but her commitment
has not.
“I’m delighted to be here,” Rob-
erts said, “and still pinching myself
that I’m here. I loved being a
public defender because I regarded
clients so highly. I could not have
had a better way to spend my life
as a lawyer. My current situation
is different because clients—the
players—haven’t been accused of
crimes. But I have just as much
respect for who they are. It’s won-
derful knowing these men and that
I am making a difference in their
lives.” ■
LYDIA LUM was honored as national
journalist of the year by the Organization of
Chinese Americans. Now a freelance writer
and editor, Lum (lydialum999@yahoo.com)
is a former reporter for the Houston Chronicle
and Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
"They made the right choice in hiring her. She knows combat, is
excellent at negotiating and is always well-prepared yet realistic."
—Gary Kohlman
MCCA.COM NOV.DEC 2016 DIVERSITY & THE BAR 13