David E. Ahlvers
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Born: Dec. 20, 1978; Minneapolis
Education: University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 2004; Carthage College, B.A., 2001
Employment: Lindquist & Vennum, associate, 2006-present; Minnesota 4th Judicial District, law clerk to Judge Regina M. Chu, 2004-06
Professional Associations: American Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association, Minnesota Lavender Bar Foundation, Minnesota State Bar Association
Hobbies/Interests: Creative writing, running
Lindquist & Vennum, P.L.L.P.
Education: University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 2004; Carthage College, B.A., 2001
Employment: Lindquist & Vennum, associate, 2006-present; Minnesota 4th Judicial District, law clerk to Judge Regina M. Chu, 2004-06
Professional Associations: American Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association, Minnesota Lavender Bar Foundation, Minnesota State Bar Association
Hobbies/Interests: Creative writing, running
When it comes to diversity, most people have good intentions. It’s the implementation that sometimes proves problematic.
Minneapolis attorney David E. Ahlvers is pushing for a more diverse legal profession through two Minnesota State Bar Association initiatives: the Minority Clerkship Program and a proposed task force to study how state law discriminates against same-sex couples.
“This discussion about diversity needs to be had,” Ahlvers says. “It’s the right time. The controversy about [same-sex marriage] that has been flaming is dying down. If we don’t start the discussion, we’re not going to have change.”
The springboard for this discussion was a Project 515 report published last year called “Unequal Under the Law: 515 Ways Minnesota Laws Discriminate Against Couples and Families.” The task force will review the laws and decide whether to draft legislation and request support from the state bar association.
“There isn’t an underlying agenda to this,” Ahlvers says. “There is a possibility that the task force will find that there is no need for change. We’re keeping the door open to no change, or prioritizing change.”
The extent of discrimination against GLBT lawyers is unclear, Ahlvers says, because some remain closeted. Although his firm, Lindquist & Vennum, provides a welcoming and supportive environment for GLBT attorneys, “I sense that there is a certain homophobia at big firms,” Ahlvers says. “It’s a slowly changing legal community.”
But getting them the jobs is only part of the challenge, Ahlvers says.
“There are very few resources for a diverse candidate to come here and relate to someone in a diverse culture,” he says. “If you have the choice between here and New York, where you can go to a coffeehouse and relate to someone of a similar culture and background, how do you make that choice?”
Ahlvers credits OutFront Minnesota staff attorney Phil Duran for giving him the opportunity to pursue leadership opportunities within the state bar association.
There’s no magic formula for making Minnesota’s Scandinavian culture attractive to everyone, but Ahlvers says it’s up to the firms and other professional organizations to keep diverse lawyers here.
“I’ll work on getting people in the door. I’ll bring you good-quality candidates that you can keep at your firm that have connections in Minnesota so they don’t jump to other places,” he says. “You go to work on keeping these people here."
