Biography for Shanta Driver
National Coordinator, United for Equality and Affirmative Action (UEAA)
1997 - present
Responsibilities include recruiting and mentoring the 41 named student defendant-intervenors; planning legal strategy and participating in every aspect of the legal work for the student intervention in the University of Michigan case Grutter v. Bollinger; directing publicity, outreach, and fundraising campaigns for UEAA.
National Director, Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration and to Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary (BAMN)
1995 - present
Responsibilities include oversight and direction of campaign to increase minority enrollment and overturn the ban on affirmative action at the University of California; building broad support for affirmative action and the student intervenor's defense in Grutter v. Bollinger through organizing forums, rallies, marches; building and advising high school and university support groups; increasing the visibility of the legal case and movement to defend affirmative action through national speaking tours. Speaking engagements include: The U.S. Department of Transportation; the A. Phillip Randolph Institute; Rainbow/PUSH Coalition; American Association for Affirmative Action; Society of American Law Teachers and numerous colleges, high schools and unions.
Legal Assistant, Scheff and Washington, P.C.
1997 - present
Responsibilities include legal research and writing on labor law, employment discrimination and criminal defense cases; witness preparation and jury selection for trials; steward training; representation in arbitration and administrative hearings for union locals and members.
Health Unit Coordinator and shop steward/organizer, Detroit Medical Center
1979 - present
Responsibilities include unit coordinator of the Karmanos Institute Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and serving as a union steward, chief steward, bargaining committee member and union organizer of currently unorganized workers at the Detroit Medical Center.
Teaching Assistant, Wayne State University Law School 1999 - present
Provide weekly classroom reviews for first year Property students and individual tutorials during the 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 Academic Years.
Director of Child Advocacy Training Institute, Massachusetts Advocacy Center
1975 - 1978
Developed training programs for parents of school age children to serve as child advocates for special needs students.
Education
Wayne State University Law School, law student in the class of 2002.
Harvard University, B.A. cum laude, 1975, Psychology and Social Relations.
Selected Scholarships and Awards
Alan R. Waterstone Memorial Scholarship
Ernest and Freda Goodman Scholarship
Wolverine Bar Foundation Scholarship
Damon J. Keith Scholarship
Richard Kress Scholarship
D. Augustus Striker Scholarship Award