For decades, America’s legal profession has devoted significant resources to its diversity and inclusion efforts with some, but not nearly enough, success. And while lawyers voice their support for and commitment to greater diversity and inclusion, research shows that there is no consensus on what that means. Might part of the challenge be the obsolescence of traditional diversity values, the evolution of diversity and inclusion goals, and objectives more reflective of the impact of globalization, the economic downturn of 2008, generational attitudinal shifts, and changing population demographics? If that is the case, what should the future direction of the legal profession’s diversity and inclusion efforts encompass? What are the new ideas, research and models that are emerging? Could an emphasis upon ethics as a driving force for diversity in the legal profession prove meaningful? Could a philosophical discussion offer new insights into reasons underlying diversity stalemate and strategies to move beyond it? What are the internal politics and dynamics that underlie and impact the legal profession’s efforts at inclusion?
In this unprecedented and thought-provoking discussion, hear from corporate general counsel on a topic they’ve rarely if ever discussed in public: A philosophical discussion about the ethics, politics, and disparate objectives that may be underlying the diversity and inclusion stalemate of recent years. This program, followed by a reception with our general counsel participants, will be part of IILP fundraisers that will be held on October 1st in Chicago and October 2nd in New York. And to make the events even more exciting, an anonymous donor has issued a challenge grant to IILP: If we are able to raise $50,000 from registration fees and other contributions collected in advance of, during, and immediately following these programs, IILP will earn an additional $25,000. Please help us meet this challenge!
NY MCLE: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is an accredited MCLE provider in the State of New York. This transitional continuing legal education course has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the Continuing Legal Education Board for a maximum of 2.5 credit hours, of which 2.5 credit hours can be applied toward professional practice requirement.
