National law firm Akerman has joined the growing call by legal industry leaders for U.S. law schools to do more to combat antisemitism on their campuses. The firm joined a growing list of more than 100 major law firms as a signatory to a letter sent to the nation's top law schools.

The letter begins by recognizing the burgeoning antisemitism on school campuses. "Everyone at our law firms is entitled to be treated with respect and be free of any conduct that targets their identity and is offensive, hostile, intimidating or inconsistent with their personal dignity and rights. We prohibit any form of harassment, whether verbal, visual or physical. Over the last several weeks, we have been alarmed at reports of antisemitic harassment, vandalism and assaults on college campuses, including rallies calling for the death of Jews and the elimination of the State of Israel. Such antisemitic activities would not be tolerated at any of our firms."

The letter also urges law school leaders to act. "As employers who recruit from each of your law schools, we look to you to ensure your students who hope to join our firms after graduation are prepared to be an active part of workplace communities that have zero tolerance policies for any form of discrimination or harassment, much less the kind that has been taking place on some law school campuses. We trust you will take the same unequivocal stance against such activities as we do, and we look forward to a respectful dialogue with you to understand how you are addressing with urgency this serious situation at your law schools."

In October, Akerman Chairman and CEO Scott Meyers signed the Anti-Defamation League’s Workplace Pledge to Fight Antisemitism. Signing the letter to law schools honors that pledge.

Meyers said, “Akerman has been battling hatred and bigotry for more than a hundred years, beginning with our founding partners who stood strong against the Ku Klux Klan. Over the following century and beyond, Akerman has continued to stand for unity and tolerance, including the formation of the Akerman Racial Justice Initiative to combat racism, our staunch opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, our thousands of pro bono hours invested in protecting and defending victims of persecution, oppression, and abuse (including both Jews and Muslims) around the world, our outrage at the October 7 terrorist attacks against Israel, and our ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism domestically and abroad. An attack on any group based on gender, race, religion, color, sexual orientation, or national origin is an assault on our core values of integrity, respect, and fairness – and fundamental human decency. Akerman will not be silent or still while evil prospers.”

Akerman Proud. Akerman Strong.