August 3, 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.

On the Need for Equity in America

Companies Still Aren’t Sending Enough Work to Diverse Outside Lawyers, Report Says

A recent study shows that most legal department participants gave less than 10% of their business to diverse lawyers over the past year.  Corporate Counsel

Biden’s Judicial Appointees by Far the Most Diverse, ABA Says

So far, “68% of the 68 federal judges nominated by Biden and confirmed by the Senate are Black, Hispanic, or Asian American, and just three are white men.”  Reuters

DEI Development

Stop Undervaluing Exceptional Women

To avoid losing talented women to other firms, recognize and remedy these gendered biases about who is and is not a “flight risk.”  Harvard Business Review

Intersectionality to Play a Critical Role in Ongoing DEI Efforts

“Looking at employees as whole people and highlighting the complexities of their struggles can really begin to breed trust between employees and their employers.”  Employee Benefit News

How to Continue Pushing Forward When Unhappy with Our DEI Progress

Tips and questions to help leaders and implementers when your DEI efforts don’t feel impactful enough.  Forbes

Supporting LGBTQ+ Workers’ Mental Health

A framework with tangible actions “both big and small, proactive and reactive,” to better support LGBTQ+ employees and their unique challenges.  Harvard Business Review

LCLD Leads on DE&I

2023 Best Law Firms for Diversity

Twenty-seven of the top 30 firms for diversity are LCLD Members, with McDermott Will & Emery ranking first in all categories.  Vault.com

Starbucks and Google Among Best Places to Work for Professionals with Disabilities

Bank of America, Capital One, Deloitte, Google, and Starbucks all received perfect scores on the Disability Equality Index.  CNBC Make It

Littler Receives D&I Award from South Asian Bar Association of North America

Littler was honored with the 2022 Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award in recognition of their high-impact commitment to D&I; last year, “44% of Littler’s leadership, 73% of its new hires, 76% of its newly elevated shareholders, and overall 62% of the firm’s 1083 U.S.-based lawyers identified as minorities.”  Littler Mendelson P.C.

Remote Work Fuels Major Diversity Boost at Meta

Meta’s recent diversity report shows that the tech giant surpassed its diversity goals two years ahead of schedule, owing largely to the company’s embrace of remote and hybrid workers.  World Economic Forum

Mentorship and Sponsorship Boost D&I Initiatives at FedEx

A good sponsor is someone who can “speak on your behalf, speak accurately and well to your skills and your abilities, and who will go to bat for you when you’re not in the room,” said FedEx’s HR director Amy Manning.  HR Dive

Leading for Tomorrow

Organizational Transformation Is an Emotional Journey

The workforce bears the brunt of failed transformations; here are seven ways leaders can set their transformations up for success by prioritizing their employees’ emotions, as well as your own.  Harvard Business Review

How to Bring (the Right) Passion to Work

Breaking down “obsessive” versus “harmonious” passion, and how to refuel your passion for work in healthy ways.  Corporate Counsel

Reimagining the Workplace

3 Necessary Shifts in Your DEI Strategy Resulting from Remote Work

For empowered leadership in the new normal, shift your focus from process to outcomes, downgrade the influence of rigid schedules, and globalize your recruiting.  Fast Company

6 Ways to Ensure Your Legal Organization Isn’t Leaving Remote Workers Behind

Start by encouraging consistent hours, reviewing work assignment processes, and implementing remote-friendly mentoring opportunities and collaboration spaces.  Legaltech News

Legal Diversity Group Head on His Reasons for Optimism

“I am more optimistic now than I ever have been,” said LCLD President Robert Grey. “There is a different understanding by this generation of leaders because they've had more diverse experiences themselves.

“There has to be a systemic, sustainable change in the approach to a more equitable environment that has to take place. And I see that. I see the interest in that, I see the desire in that, and now I'm looking at the commitment toward that.”  Law360 

If you have questions about the Leaders at the Front initiative, please contact Caitlin Puffenberger, LCLD Member Programs and Communications Manager.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Members & Diversity Professionals

AUGUST 31   |  2:00 pm ET   ||   Diversity Professionals
LCLD Diversity Professionals' Virtual Meeting
Join LCLD staff and fellow Diversity Pros to receive updates and ask questions about LCLD programs and initiatives. Register here.

SEPTEMBER 22–23    ||   LCLD Members + Guests
13th Annual LCLD Membership Meeting
It's official: the annual LCLD Membership Meeting will convene in-person this fall! Accenture CEO Julie Sweet and NYU Law professor Kenji Yoshino will join us in launching the next phase of Leaders at the Front: Transforming Tomorrow.

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