Racial Disparities

Race and Ethnic Diversity Practice Group

Race and Ethnic Diversity Practice Group Mission:

Localize the racial disparity issue in communities by sharing information about disparity with judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement;
Educate the public and stakeholders on the prevalence and effect of racial disparity in our justice system
Create opportunities for the public to participate in efforts to eradicate racial disparity in our justice system
Position the issue so that it is a topic of discussion until racial disparity in our justice system is eradicated
Partner with individuals, associations, groups, etc. to work on this issue and accomplish the above listed goals

Race and Ethnic Diversity Practice Coordinator

Rick Jones

Rick Jones is the Race and Ethnic Diversity Practice Coordinator. Rick is a proud native of Racine, WI, where he graduated from Washington Park High School. Rick continued his education earning a B.A. in Economics and Management from Beloit College, a Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School, and Masters of Divinity from Northern Seminary. While at Beloit College Rick was a multiple letter earner in both track and basketball. While at Marquette he earned the Janz and Thomas Moore Scholarships and the BLSA Award for Academic Excellence, in addition to serving as the BLSA treasurer for two years.

Rick spends a great deal of time mentoring young people and is a co-founder of Wisconsin Triple Threat, a basketball and mentoring program that focuses on Academics, Athletics, and Achievement, and is committed to giving kids “dreams that are bigger than their windows.”

Rick currently serves in the Madison Trial Office of the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office (SPD) where he is assigned to handle major crimes throughout the state. He was previously assigned to the Chapter 980 Team, which focuses on the civil commitment of sexually violent persons.

Rick has served in various management and leadership positions in the SPD, including Regional Manager of the Racine Region.Rick has served as trainer and lecturer on various topics both within the SPD and for other organizations. Topics have included implicit bias and cultural humility, raising race, litigation stories, defending sexually violent persons, the school to prison pipeline, and how to prepare for trial. For the SPD, Rick has assisted with Race Circles, the Working as Team Institute, and the Trial Skills Academy.

Rick is also proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.