Liu’s Fall Sparks Fear of Reprisal for Joining Women’s Groups

U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu’s recent withdrawal from the running for the No. 3 job at the Justice Department after criticism of her past affiliation with the National Association of Women Lawyers has worried advocates who believe women and minority attorneys might begin to think twice about joining identity-based organizations.

Liu, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, withdrew due to fierce criticism, particularly from Sen. Mike Lee of Utah. The Republican senator took issue with the fact that NAWL expressed support for abortion rights while Liu was its vice president. Liu has said she later left the group over ...