November 16, 2022

LCLD Diversity News Digest

Here you’ll find the latest diversity, equity, and inclusion news, resources, tips, and thought leadership, curated biweekly for today’s legal leaders—LCLD’s Members—and Diversity Professionals.

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

On the Need for Equity in America

Here’s What Diversity Means for One Group of Harvard Students

Hear from a dozen students on what the Supreme Court’s race-conscious college admissions decision means to them.  The New York Times

Paying the “Diversity Tax” to Practice Law

“Law school and mentorship prepare you for a lot,” writes DEI leader Kee Tobar, “but they do not prepare you to deny yourself and compartmentalize or accept bias against your Black, brown, queer, and disabled clients as par for the course.”   ABA Journal

DEI Development

5 Harmful Ways Women Feel They Must Adapt in Corporate America

How leaders can redesign company cultures to enable women leaders to thrive—and to retire maladaptations they’ve adopted to survive the climb to the top.  Harvard Business Review

Can Lessons From Diversity Training Help Build Bridges?

“If all diversity training does is highlight the fact that different experiences lead to different perspectives on what should be done and how to do it, we’ve only learned half the lesson,” writes Vernon Francis of Dechert. “Figuring out how best to use this knowledge to advance our businesses, community organizations, or our society at large—that’s where the rubber hits the road.”  The Legal Intelligencer

DEI...B? Why “Belonging” Is Law’s Next Step

An analysis of Bloomberg Law’s annual DEI Framework emphasizes the importance of bringing belonging, on an individual level, into the DEI fold.  Bloomberg Law

To Sustain DEI Momentum, Companies Must Invest in 3 Areas

Connect a strong, intentional strategy to the right accountability; collect and analyze the right data; and provide DEI leaders with substantive empowerment to reach goals.  Harvard Business Review

When Women Leave Leadership, Address Root Causes Instead of Symptoms

For every female director promoted to the next level, two choose to leave their companies. To retain women leaders, organizations must “address the real reasons—not the myths—underpinning women’s decisions to leave or opt out of leadership roles.”  SHRM

LCLD Leads on DE&I

The American Lawyer Names Attorney of the Year and More

Sigrid McCawley of Boies and LCLD Board Chair Ellen Dwyer of Crowell were named finalists for Attorney of the Year and Best Law Firm Mentor, respectively. Ropes & Gray was named Law Firm of the Year; Orrick was awarded Best Diversity Initiative; Akin Gump received the Corporate Purpose Award; and numerous other LCLD Member organizations were winners and finalists across categories.  The American Lawyer

Law Firms Recognized for “Tipping the Scales” Towards Gender Parity

Of the 57 law firms recognized by the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance for the gender makeup of their latest partner classes, 36 are LCLD Members.  Diversity & Flexibility Alliance

Mintz Awarded for Innovation in DEI

Earlier this month, the California Legal Awards honored Mintz with the Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion award, recognizing the work of the firm’s Addressing Racial Inequality Group, which is dedicated to using its attorneys’ legal skills to end systemic racism in America.  Mintz

K&L Gates to Hold First Retreat for Diverse Lawyers

K&L Gates recently invited David Zapolsky of Amazon and Zabrina Jenkins of Starbucks, among other legal leaders, to speak at their multi-day, in-person retreat for diverse attorneys across the firm’s offices.  K&L Gates

Leading for Tomorrow

7 Ways to Practice Active Allyship

Examining the role of fear in resistance to inclusion efforts, and how leaders can model allyship behaviors that are authentic, courageous, and impactful.  Harvard Business Review

How to Develop a Leadership Mindset and Why It Matters

Business psychologist Alex Lazarus offers three simple steps to help leaders develop and reengage with their leadership mindset.  Corporate Counsel

Reimagining the Workplace

Remote Work May Ensure Women Aren't Forced to “Walk on Eggshells”

Even with the flexibility and improved quality of life remote work has brought many women and caregivers, proximity bias continues to make career advancement a balancing act—one that business leaders are responsible for addressing in company culture.  Fortune

What Great Remote Managers Do Differently

A new survey finds what worked for remote work relationships, what didn’t, and how “micro-understanding” plays into their success.  Harvard Business Review

UPCOMING EVENTS
Members & Diversity Professionals

DECEMBER 7
LCLD Community
Language of Leadership Series: Christa D’Alimonte

Join us for a discussion between Robert Grey, LCLD President, and Christa D’Alimonte, LCLD Board Member, EVP, GC & Secretary at Paramount Global, on how leaders can use their personal commitments to DEI to drive change.  Register here.

JANUARY 11, 2023
LCLD Community
Language of Leadership Series: Desiree Ralls-Morrison

Join us for a discussion between Robert Grey, LCLD President, and Desiree Ralls-Morrison, GC & Corporate Secretary at McDonald’s Corporation, on how leaders can use their personal commitments to DEI to drive change.  Register here.

SAVE THE DATE
Members

MARCH 8–9, 2023
Members ONLY
Super Pledge Summit: Exploring Collaboration with Google

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA  |  Hosted by LCLD Board Member Halimah DeLaine Prado, GC of Google, LCLD Members will discuss the implementation of their Leader Pledges, with a focus on collaboration between managing partners and general counsel.

MARCH 23–24, 2023
Members ONLY
Super Pledge Summit: Exploring Succession Planning with Dominion Energy

RICHMOND, VA  |  Hosted by LCLD Board Member Carlos Brown, SVP, GC & Chief Compliance Officer at Dominion Energy, LCLD Members will discuss the implementation of their Leader Pledges, with a focus on succession planning.

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