NABE - News of Interest

Danger in your DEI Policies

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 19:46:00 GMT

“This widening gap between global expectations and regulation regarding DEI-related matters and the concerns of some constituents in the U.S. over the role of DEI in corporate decision-making is likely to continue growing for the foreseeable future, putting companies between the proverbial rock and hard place. What these developments make clear is that corporate DEI efforts are, and likely have been for some time, riskier than many companies may initially appreciate. And the risks associated with DEI initiatives are only positioned to grow and expand as companies look to thread the DEI needle and make a broader and potentially more divergent set of stakeholders happy, or at least less annoyed, with their DEI-related commitments and initiatives,” according to Latham & Watkins partners Sarah E. Fortt, Danielle Conley and Nineveh Alkhas. They discuss “The four scary legal risks hiding in your DEI program” in this Reuters article.

Share with Your Members: DEI Program Inspiration

Fri, 7 Apr 2023 17:30:00 GMT

Are you struggling to develop your firm’s diversity fellowship, scholarship program or other DEI initiatives? The National Association for Law Placement lists information on a variety of programs at law firms across the country that may help to guide your firm’s efforts. Access the list (and consider listing your own program) here.

Share with Your Members: DEI & Neurodiversity

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 17:09:00 GMT

Despite the growing recognition of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, neurodiversity remains one of the least-tracked metrics, according to an analysis from Bloomberg Law. ThisBloomberg Law article highlights the need for greater awareness and understanding of neurodiversity.

Adding the B to DEI

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 17:06:00 GMT

According to research from McKinsey & Co, one of the top drivers of the Great Resignation was employees who felt they didn’t belong. To attract and retain talent, some organizations have added the term “belonging” to their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, turning DEI into DEI&B initiatives. Read more on “Why Belonging Matters” in this article from the Society for Human Resource Management’s HR Magazine.

Share with Your Members: State of Diversity

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 21:29:00 GMT

The National Association for Legal Placement recently released its annual Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms. The findings indicate that there's improvement in diversity when it comes to the associate ranks, but diversity gains at the partnership level are still lagging. Find the full report here.

Share with Your Members: A Racial Equity Audit

Fri, 9 Dec 2022 21:07:00 GMT

Many law firms are proactively conducting racial equity audits to meet DEI requirements and growing demand from companies for more inclusive law firm practices. A proactive racial equity audit is "an independent analysis by a law firm or other third party of a company's policies, practices, and products or services with respect to racial equity." Katten Muchin Rosenman attorneys Johnjerica Hodge and Ally Jordan discuss the process here.

How to Handle DEI Initiative Detractors

Mon, 6 Jun 2022 21:13:00 GMT

While your association may have put in place some top DEI programs and practices, some members may not be on board. This Associations Now article offers advice for managing member pushback on DEI initiatives.

Making Your DEI Efforts Stronger Than Your Statements

Tue, 31 May 2022 21:48:00 GMT

“Public statements from an association supporting social justice mean little if it doesn’t have their own house in order. Successful groups maintain their attention on DEI internally—and think carefully before speaking out,” says Associations Now editor Mark Athitakis. He discusses putting your DEI plans in action in this recent article.

Share with Your Members: The Why Behind DEI

Mon, 2 May 2022 17:10:00 GMT

Recognizing the challenges for diverse attorneys in finding opportunities and getting ahead, Crain’s Chicago Business asked three attorneys who are all active in their firm’s DEI initiatives to help explain why that is and how to make a change. Read their perspectives here.

Demystifying DEI

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 16:07:00 GMT

What does the current DEI environment look like? Culture Amp compiled data from over 2,100 companies to create their 2022 Workplace DEI Report, "Understanding the DEI Landscape." Access the full report here.

Share with Your Members: Diversity Data

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 17:46:12 GMT

According to research from the National Association for Legal Placement (NALP), this year’s summer associate class was the most diverse ever, but there are still many challenges ahead. Review the newly released NALP Report on Diversity at U.S. Law Firms here.

Discussing Your DEI Efforts

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 21:41:02 GMT

Your bar association may be doing a lot in the DEI space, but it may not be worth all the effort unless it is visible to your members. Associations Now offers "Four Strategies to Make Your DEI Messaging Clear to Members."

Share with Your Members: DEI Update

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 21:28:08 GMT

According to a recently released report from the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, "36% of 2020's summer associates - law students who spend a summer working at a firm and typically receive job offers afterward - were from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, up from 28% a decade ago. But that percentage decreased as seniority level increased: Minorities accounted for nearly 28% of all associates; 12.5% of non-equity partners; and just over 10% of equity partners in 2020." Find the full MCCA 2021 Law Firm Diversity Report here.

Share with Your Members: DEI Time as Billable Time

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 15:58:54 GMT

According to a Law.com article by Jessie Yount, more and more large law firms are starting to offer billable credit for diversity, equity, and inclusion work. She says, "DEI billable credit is on-trend in Big Law. While long-term results are still in the making, young lawyers seem encouraged by the movement toward giving credit for advancing diversity and inclusion." Read more here.

Share with Your Members: Creating Opportunities

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 15:48:33 GMT

Recognizing that “talent is equally distributed” but “opportunity is not,” Harvard Law School and the National Education Equity Lab have created a pilot program that is introducing high school students from underserved backgrounds to the legal profession. Read about the collaborative program here.

Share with Your Members: Why DEI Efforts Don't Garner Results

Tue, 9 Nov 2021 19:55:14 GMT

Wondering why your DEI efforts aren't working? You're not alone. In this article, Fast Company looks at some of the stumbling blocks companies face when implementing their DEI programs.

Share with Your Members: Clients Dock Fees for Lack of Diversity

Tue, 9 Nov 2021 19:50:23 GMT

According to Bloomberg Law, larger companies are starting to be more aggressive in their push for greater law firm diversity. In many cases, they are docking fees for firms that do not show progress or increased diversity in their leadership pipelines. Read more here.

Direction for a Successful DEI Program

Mon, 4 Oct 2021 17:49:03 GMT

Are DEI initiatives incorporated into your association's strategic plan? Is there a forum for DEI dialogue? Both strategies may help kickstart your DEI initiatives, according to Associations Now. Learn about their "Five Keys to Starting a Successful DEI Program" here.

Share with Your Members: Developing a DEI Strategy

Fri, 3 Sep 2021 16:25:28 GMT

For many law firms, the difficult part of developing their DEI strategy is knowing where to begin. "No DEI plan will ever be perfect or completely done. However, stepping out of your comfort zone to initiate one might help to bring a cultural paradigm shift to your firm," said Terra Davis, a business development manager at Winston & Strawn. She guides law firms through creating a DEI plan through the lens of authenticity and empathy in this blog post for Strategies and Voices, the blog of the Legal Marketing Association.

Share with Your Members: For a Diverse Law Firm in the Future, Law Firms Look to Today's Pipeline

Fri, 3 Sep 2021 16:13:00 GMT

“Traditionally, law firm student diversity initiatives have focused on would-be lawyers already in law school, particularly 1Ls. But the slow progress on law student and lawyer diversity is prompting more firms and legal organizations to think about how to expand the pipeline of diverse students considering and pursuing a law degree,” according to Reuters reporter Karen Sloan. In this article, she examines some of the pipeline programs law firms already have in place.

Share with Your Members: Acknowledging and Abating Unconscious Bias

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 21:35:14 GMT

“The first step to addressing—and eliminating—unconscious bias is to acknowledge that it exists,” contends writer Kylie Ora Lobell. She discusses how to handle unconscious bias in the hiring process in this article for Legal Management, a publication of the Association of Legal Administers.

DEI: Dear Future Employers

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 17:22:58 GMT

"If you're still making the business case for diversity, your company isn't the place for us," said Kahlil Greene, Yale University's first Black student body president, addressing his generation's career mindset. Harvard Business Review recently published his piece, "Dear CEOs: A Gen Zer's Open Letter to His Future Employers," which is intended to provide "unvarnished advice for today's corporate leaders to build a bridge between generational mindsets." Read it here.

Share with Your Members: ABA Journal on How to Be an LGBTQ+ Ally

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 21:56:22 GMT

As we come to the end of pride month, your members may be interested in this article from the ABA Journal on how to be an LGBTQ ally.

8 "Don'ts" to Consider When You Draft Your DEI Policy

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 22:07:51 GMT

When you (and your members) look at revising your DEI policies, there are several pitfalls you can easily avoid, according to Fast Company contributor Stephanie Vozza. "Putting policies on paper" and not in action is one of them. Read more here.

Share with Your Members: How Lawyers Can Combat Discriminatory Behavior

Tue, 1 Jun 2021 16:38:03 GMT

In this edition of the 2Civility Video Series “Reimagining Law,” Patrick Dankwa John, president of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, and Gary Zhao, a past president at the Asian American Bar Association of Chicago, discuss their bar associations and “a legal professional’s role in combatting discriminatory behavior, and how their bar associations have remained relevant.” Watch here.