About the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law seeks to foster a diverse and inclusive Law School community that supports the diversity of its student body, staff, and faculty, while also maintaining an intellectually rigorous environment in which diverse viewpoints are explored, shared, and debated. In addition, the Office of DEI provides support and guidance for students, staff and faculty with identities that are historically underrepresented in law schools and in the legal profession. 


Samantha Kwok-Ting Woo

Samantha Kwok-Ting Woo
Interim Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

"As a proud alumna of Northwestern Law, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the Law School community that so well equipped me to begin my legal career.

During my decade-long career as a labor and employment attorney at a large international law firm, I remained steadfastly committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and advocating on behalf of individuals with identities that are historically underrepresented in law schools and in the field of law. I am dedicated to working with our dean, faculty, staff, students, and alumni to foster and maintain an inclusive and engaging Law School community."


Specific constituencies supported by the Office include culturally diverse and historically underrepresented groups, such as African Americans, Asian Americans, South Asian Americans, Latinx, Middle Eastern Americans, Muslim Americans, and Native Americans, as well as others who are often underrepresented or marginalized, such as first-generation students, gay, lesbian, and transgender students, students with disabilities, veterans, older students, and students with children. 

The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion provides support and guidance for historically underrepresented students as they meet the challenges of navigating law school and entering the legal profession. Through outreach targeted to every phase of law school and career -- from applying for admission to joining alumni networks -- the Office develops, supports, and maintains the interrelationships that foster student achievement and produce satisfied graduates. 

The Office also strives to create an inclusive environment and foster a sense of belonging for all members of the Law School community through programming on diversity-related topics, including programming on microaggressions, unconscious bias, cross-cultural competency, communication and conflict, and cross-cultural lawyering.