Webinar: Unpacking the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders on DEI

On January 22, 2025, President Trump issued executive orders rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and accessibility initiatives. Then, in February, a federal court issued a preliminary injunction blocking the government from terminating any equity-related grants or contracts.

The Trump Administration’s DEI executive orders and subsequent federal court injunction blocking their implementation has created a complex and quickly evolving situation for employers and recipients of federal grants.

In response, Arts Midwest and attorneys from McDermott Will & Emery LLP held a free webinar on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Webinar Recording

Unpacking the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders on DEI

Arts Midwest and attorneys from McDermott Will & Emery LLP held a free webinar to help your organization know what to watch for in the ongoing litigation around executive orders rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and accessibility initiatives.

Discussions included:

Tracking the latest developments in National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education et al v. Trump et al and the federal court injunction

The rescission of Executive Order 11246 and what it means for federal employers

The future of DEI initiatives in the workplace

Featuring

Brian J. Tiemann

Partner | Chicago

Brian J. Tiemann counsels public and private companies on a broad range of employee benefit matters, including matters related to pension plans, 401(k) plans and executive and incentive compensation.

He advises plan fiduciaries with respect to their fiduciary duties, investment policies and alternative investments. He also advises multinational clients on global employee benefits matters, particularly with respect to global incentive compensation plans. Brian has extensive experience negotiating investment management agreements and service provider agreements.
Rachel B. Cowen

Partner | Chicago

Rachel B. Cowen focuses her practice in various employment discrimination and wrongful termination cases in federal and state courts.

Rachel’s experience includes prosecuting and defending employee mobility and trade secret litigation on an emergency injunctive basis. She also counsels employers facing union organizing activity and picketing, and has successfully tried numerous cases before the National Labor Relations Board. She also handles collective bargaining and labor arbitrations. Additionally, Rachel represents financial services companies and professional engineering firms in unfair competition cases.

Rachel serves as the global co-head of McDermott’s Employment Practice Group.
Tara L. Ward

Partner | Washington, DC

Tara L. Ward represents a wide variety of companies that do business with the federal government, ranging from small and emerging tech companies looking to break into or expand their stake in the federal marketplace, to well-established defense, professional services and information technology contractors and subcontractors.

Tara’s diverse practice covers the full range of government contracting issues, including litigation and counseling related to bid protests, contract claims and disputes and teaming agreement and other strategic alliance issues. Tara regularly helps clients navigate some of the most nuanced areas of government contract law, including other transaction agreements, small business regulations and supply chain issues.