Happy New Year from LCLD

January 10, 2024

On the Need for Equity in America

‘The Glue of This Court’: Justices, Clerks Receive O’Connor’s Casket at Supreme Court

We continue to celebrate the legacy of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who was there when LCLD first gathered in Scottsdale, AZ. Her 2008 keynote was a call to action: making paths to leadership “visibly open to talented and qualified individuals of every race and ethnicity.”  ALM Law.com

2024 Might Be Do-or-Die for Corporate Diversity Efforts. Here’s Why

DEI SUPPORT & STRATEGY   Explore six key questions surrounding the future of DEI over the next year.  The Washington Post

Law School Applicant Pool Is Most Diverse Ever Amid Affirmative Action Ban

DIVERSE PIPELINE   Though the proportion of minority applicants reached a record 43% this year, it remains to be seen how SCOTUS’s affirmative action decision will impact the diversity of the incoming class.  Reuters

DEI Support & Strategy

DEI Is Under Attack. Here’s How Companies Can Mitigate the Legal Risks

DEI SUPPORT & STRATEGY   Kenji Yoshino and David Glasgow – the legal experts who led the first LCLD webinar on SCOTUS’s affirmative action decision – offer three criteria that make DEI programs most risky, as well as solutions to help organizations maintain the core focus.  Harvard Business Review

Corporate Diversity Initiatives Need Lawyers in Leadership Roles

DEI SUPPORT & STRATEGY   “Given the murky waters where DEIB programs operate, CDOs with a strong legal background will be extremely important for the role’s future viability,” write Deborah Ben-Canaan and Margot Jackson of Major, Lindsey & Africa.  Bloomberg Law

Research: Why Gender Bias Persists, Even When Organizations Try to Curb It

DEI SUPPORT & STRATEGY   Newly published research at the VMware Women’s Leadership Innovation Lab shows that, “although managers were able to curb differences in how they described employees’ traits and behaviors (‘viewing biases’), they were unlikely to catch differences in how they rewarded employees for those traits and behaviors (‘valuing biases’).”  Harvard Business Review

3 Ways Men Can Advance Gender Equity at Work

DEI SUPPORT & STRATEGY   To meaningfully join the effort toward gender equity, male organizational leaders must acknowledge fear, address ignorance, overcome apathy — “and, just as importantly, they need to understand that it’s not about them.”  Harvard Business Review

LCLD Leads on DEI

DEI Task Force Update

DEI SUPPORT & STRATEGY  Launched following the Supreme Court’s SFFA v. Harvard decision to help clients accomplish their DEI objectives, Gibson Dunn’s DEI Task Force – which includes 2017 Pathfinder Zakiyyah Salim-Williams – provides an end-of-year overview of key developments, media coverage, and current litigation.  Gibson Dunn

Renee Garcia Named City Solicitor of Philadelphia

DIVERSE LEADERSHIP  Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker has selected 2016 Pathfinder and 2020 Fellow Renee Garcia, an award-winning litigator and DEI advocate, to serve as City Solicitor.  City of Philadelphia

To Reach DEI Goals, Structural Challenges Require Structural Solutions

SYSTEMS & PROCESSES   In this article by former LCLD Diversity Pro Amie Santos, Joyce Soliman, Co-MP of Porter Hedges, shares lessons learned in building equity into the structure of a midsize firm.  ALM Pro Mid-Market

Leading for Tomorrow

The Inclusive Leader’s Playbook: Modeling Inclusion for Success

INCLUSIVE CULTURE   The “above and below the line” framework offers advice for recognizing inclusive and non-inclusive behaviors, as well as rewarding or correcting them as needed to set a positive cultural standard for your organization.  Forbes

Unlocking Strategic Brilliance: The Essential Guide for Visionary Leadership Transformation

LEADER ACCOUNTABILITY   Strategic leaders possess – and cultivate – this unique set of leadership attributes, which ultimately “distinguishes them in their ability to navigate complex challenges, inspire teams, and drive organizations toward success.”  Corporate Counsel

for LCLD Members & Diversity Professionals

Deadline Extended! Last Day to Nominate: JANUARY 17, 2024

Don’t Miss the Chance to Nominate 2024 Fellows and Pathfinders

We have extended the deadline to nominate 2024 Fellows and Pathfinders to Wednesday, January 17.

Our Fellows and Pathfinder programs offer professional and personal development opportunities, leadership training, relationship-building resources, and an Alumni network 5,000+ strong.

JANUARY 17 @ 1:00 PM ET  |  LCLD Community  |  virtual

Language of Leadership Series: Chonda Nwamu, Ameren

Join LCLD for a candid conversation with Chonda Nwamu, 2013 Fellow, Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary at Ameren.

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

Stay connected with us!