About the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law seeks to create a diverse and inclusive Law School community that not only attracts and retains diverse students, staff, and faculty, but also maintains an intellectually rigorous environment in which diverse viewpoints are explored, shared, and debated. In addition, the office provides support and guidance for diverse students, staff, and faculty.


Mike Burns

Michael S. Burns
Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

My career has been devoted to increasing diversity in both law schools and the legal profession. I am committed to working with our dean, faculty, staff and students to create and maintain an inclusive and engaging law school community."


Specific constituencies supported by the office include culturally diverse and historically underrepresented ethnic groups, such as African Americans, Asian Americans, South Asian Americans, Latinx, 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 diverse 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 foster a diverse and inclusive law school community through programming on diversity-related topics for the entire law school community, including programming on microaggressions, unconscious bias, cross cultural, communication and conflict, and cross-cultural lawyering.