October 25, 2023

On the Need for Equity in America

DEI Legal Pipelining: Understanding the Phrase ‘If You Can See It, You Can Be It’

DIVERSE PIPELINE   It’s no secret that attorneys often rise to influential positions across industries, from justice and legislation to education and business. To help support and develop a strong legal pipeline, start with the basics.  The Legal Intelligencer

Litigator Filling EEOC’s Long-Vacant General Counsel Post Will Be First Blind Person in Role

DIVERSE LEADERSHIP   Karla Gilbride, the first blind lawyer to argue before the US Supreme Court, has been named GC of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.  Corporate Counsel

Women with Disabilities, LGBTQ+ Women Face More Disrespect at Work

INCLUSIVE CULTURE   McKinsey’s 2023 Women in the Workplace report offers three key takeaways about the “broken rung” that women of color, women with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ talent still face to disproportionate degrees.  HR Dive

DEI Support & Strategy

How to Avoid the Unexpected Consequences of Your DEI Policy

SYSTEMS & METRICS   New research shows that failing to take a systems-level view can result in harm for those your DEI policies are meant to help.  Harvard Business Review

What’s Next for Chief Diversity Officers?

DEI SUPPORT & LEADERSHIP   DEI leader Mita Mallick offers a look back at the rise of the CDO, current challenges, and five scenarios that may arise as organizations reevaluate their DEI efforts.  Fast Company

Moving the Needle on Outside Counsel Team Diversity

COLLABORATION   The Diversity Dividends Collective offers five tips for legal departments and law firms looking to leverage data to strengthen DEI accountability.  Corporate Counsel

Broadening the Hiring Criteria for Legal Jobs Would Benefit Minorities, Clients

HIRING & RECRUITMENT   Explore how a more holistic evaluation process not only creates more equitable opportunities for disadvantaged candidates, but also strengthens the criteria for qualified legal professionals.  New York Law Journal

Retention on the Line for Big Law, Legal Departments

HIRING & INCLUSIVE CULTURE   Over 60% of in-house attorneys report being “very stressed” or “burned out,” up from 47% last year, an Axiom study revealed. And according to Major, Lindsey & Africa, one in four law firm associates plan to leave within the year. Reuters offers tips for retaining stand-out associates.  ALM Law.com, Corporate Counsel, Reuters

LCLD Leads on DEI

One Firm’s Journey Toward Equity Continues: Expanding Pathways and Removing Barriers

DEI SUPPORT & STRATEGY   Virginia Essandoh, Chief DEI Officer at Ballard Spahr, shares how the firm has acted on its values “deliberately, thoughtfully, and intentionally,” starting with a two-fold approach to self-examination.  The Legal Intelligencer

2023 Diversity Roundtable Discussion

HIRING & RECRUITMENT   2022 Fellow Dean Krishna and LCLD Diversity Pros Virginia Essandoh and Kenneth Sharperson, along with other legal DEI leaders, discuss concrete solutions to current issues in recruiting, hiring, and retaining diverse attorneys.  The Legal Intelligencer

How I Made Partner: ‘Find Sponsors Who Will Advocate on Your Behalf’

SPONSORSHIP   2023 Fellow Ashley Howlett of Hogan Lovells shares her personal experience as a sponsee — and how a strong sponsor uses their influence and access to pave the way for rising talent.  ALM Law.com

Leading for Tomorrow

How the Pandemic Highlighted the Importance of DEI

DEI SUPPORT   “If the reason remote and hybrid arrangements are disproportionately favored by underrepresented groups is the avoidance of prejudice and discrimination in the office... the focus [of DEI programs] must be on improving the fundamental workplace experience.”  The Legal Intelligencer

What Makes an Inclusive Leader?

INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP   Leaders account for a difference of 70 percentage points in employees’ experiences of belonging and psychological safety. With so much influence at leaders’ disposal, “inclusive traits like humility, curiosity, and empathy should be treated as critical leadership capabilities rather than simply desirable.”  Harvard Business Review

for LCLD Members & Diversity Professionals

NOVEMBER 1 @ 1:00 PM ET  |  LCLD Community  |  virtual

Language of Leadership: Gayle Littleton, Exelon

Join LCLD for a candid conversation with Gayle Littleton, Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer at Exelon.

In this installment of LCLD President Robert Grey’s monthly webinar series, Robert and Gayle will discuss how leaders can use their personal commitments to DEI to drive change. Q&A to follow.

NOVEMBER 7 @ 2:00 PM ET  |  LCLD Diversity Pros  |  virtual

Informational Webinar: 2024 Fellows & Pathfinder Programs

Join LCLD staff to learn more about the 2024 Fellows and Pathfinder Programs.

We’ll cover program components and selection for 2024 and answer any questions you may have. The webinar will be recorded for those who cannot attend.

DECEMBER 4 @ 12:00 PM ET  |  LCLD Community  |  virtual

Leaders at the Front: Diversity and the SCOTUS Affirmative Action Decision, Part 2

Join LCLD as we continue the discussion around the impact of the Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision on the legal community and its DEI efforts.

A panel of legal experts led by David Schwartz, Global Head of the Labor & Employment Law Group at Skadden, will share advice and best practices around moving forward in this changing legal environment.

Stay connected with us!