“The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
--Samuel Clemons (a/k/a Mark Twain)
DEI for the Law Department That Still Recognizes the Value-Add of DEI
Client Support for the DEI Efforts of Small and Mid-Size Law Firms and Smaller Offices of Larger Law Firms in the Current Environment
If:
- DEI is a core value of your company and something you personally value,
- You want to successfully advance DEI in the current environment,
- You and your law department work with small and mid-size law firms or the smaller offices of large law firms which are not as diverse as you (and they) might like,
- You’d like to meaningfully (and within the mandates of the law) help and support these law firms to achieve their DEI objectives, and
- You are interested in proven strategies that will help your organization’s DEI work
∴ This program is for you.
Join IILP and a group of corporate law department leaders who 1) want to understand the law and current legal state around DEI and 2) are ready to pursue and implement intentional strategies that are especially relevant for small and mid-size law firms and the smaller offices of large law firms. Learn how to drive these firms to implement innovative and impactful DEI efforts and deliver on their DEI objectives in ways that remain legal under the law.
This program is for in-house counsel only.
It is intended to be a small group discussion and will NOT be recorded.
Program Note:
This program is intended to cover important topics that require both candor and sensitivity. We understand that not everyone who is interested in the subject will be able to attend and might wish to view it remotely, or, at a later date. Recording the program, however, is not conducive to creating a space where the participants will feel that they can speak and ask questions candidly. Furthermore, all participants are requested to observe Chatham House Rules: please refrain from recording any parts of the program or reporting on what any other participant might ask or say. Participants are welcome to share their own thoughts or comments or topics that were discussed or statements made provided there is NO attribution to anyone.
Program Agenda:
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Registration and Networking Continental Breakfast
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM Call to Order/Welcome - Sandra Yamate, CEO, Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession
Opening Remarks – Bruce R. Byrd, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Palo Alto Networks and Chair, Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM The State of DEI: What’s Legal, What’s Not, What We’re Watching, and What We’re Doing
Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings in SFFA, law firms, bar associations, and other organizations increasingly have found themselves the subject of lawsuits or threats of lawsuits over their DEI and ESG activities and efforts. As a result, others are tempted to scale back or eliminate those activities and efforts. While that may be motivated by risk aversion, how does that risk compare to how it might undermine an organization’s productivity, profitability, talent retention, and long-term sustainability and growth?
Join us for a discussion about the current state of the law around DEI efforts and activities and what companies are doing to remain active, effective and relevant in the DEI efforts the legal profession needs.
- Susan Eandi, Chair, North America Employment and Compensation Practice Group, Baker & McKenzie LLP
- Pamela C. Enslen, Executive Director, California LAW Pathways
- Erica Kelley (Moderator), Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Palo Alto Networks
- Joan Toth, Executive Director, ChIPs
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM Break
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Meaningful DEI for Small/Mid-Size/Small Office Law Firms
When the legal profession talks about DEI success for law firms, most of the attention focuses on diversity within the ranks of equity partners or associates in the largest law firms. What are appropriate ways to assess DEI success in firms or offices that are much smaller? What drives DEI in small, mid-size, and small office law firms? What are the DEI challenges that smaller firms and offices face that large law firms and large law offices do not? Which DEI strategies are best left to large law firms? Which DEI efforts and achievements really make a difference? What kinds of questions should a savvy client ask and what kinds of scrutiny should be applied when evaluating outside counsel DEI efforts?
- Kim Amrine (Moderator), Kim Amrine Consulting LLC
- Tiana S. Mykkeltvedt, Partner, Bondurant Mixson & Elmore LLP
- Binal J. Patel, Former President and Partner, Banner Witcoff Ltd.
- Kate Roin, Partner, Bartlit Beck LLP
- Regina Speed-Bost, Founder and Managing Partner, SB Law PLLC OR
- Mark Tratos, Founding Shareholder, Las Vegas Office, Greenberg Traurig
11:45 AM – Noon Break/Transition to Lunch
- Linda Chanow, COO, Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession
1:00 PM –1:15 PM Break
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM Inclusive Leadership and Other Strategies
How can corporate clients move the DEI needle within their own organizations? Beyond allyship, how can they support the attorneys of color, LGBTQ+ attorneys, women, and those living with a disability working for their law departments and as outside counsel? What, and how much, can we delegate to DEI professionals and committees? What is it reasonable to expect from successful DEI professionals in our companies and in law firms?
- Kim Amrine, Kim Amrine Consulting LLC
- Thomas Chow, Chief Legal Officer, Chia Network
- Mary Catherine Malley, Assistant General Counsel, Juniper Networks
- Sandra Yamate, CEO, IILP
2:15 PM – 2:20 PM Break
2:20 PM – 4:45 PM Facilitated Small Group Discussions and Report Out
4:15 PM – 4:50 PM Next Steps Discussion – Sandra Yamate
