In this Update:
What’s New
What’s Been Happening
What’s Coming Up
The Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession (“IILP”) is in the midst of a busy autumn, suggesting the old adage that there’s no rest for the “Wicked” may indeed be true. But things have been going so well – no small feat when you’re working toward more meaningful diversity and inclusion in the legal profession – who can blame us if we feel like we’re “Defying Gravity”? So, here’s an update on IILP!
WHAT’S NEW
Call for Papers
Although we’re still in the midst of our current Symposia on the State of Diversity and Inclusion, we’re already looking ahead to next year and invite you to submit a paper for publication! Full details on the Call for Papers for the 2013 IILP Review on the State of Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession along with Author Guidelines can be found on our website at www.TheIILP.com.
IILP Advisory Board
IILP is delighted to announce that Barack Echols from Kirkland & Ellis has joined IILP’s Advisory Board.
IILP’s Up To the Minute News!
Keep up with IILP’s up to the minute news and activities! “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @TheIILP for the latest information about IILP! And a special “thank you” to Betty Jang for updating and connecting IILP’s social media!
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING
Thurgood Marshall College Fund Award
IILP took great pride in seeing our Chairman, Marc Firestone, receive the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Award. The award was to have been presented last year but Hurricane Sandy forced it to be postponed.
The Ethics of Diversity and the Politics of Inclusion
IILP’s October 1-2 fundraisers explored the intersection of the ethics that underlie the legal profession’s diversity efforts and the politics that impact efforts to become a truly inclusive profession. The discussion was robust, the Q&A lively, and we met our challenge grant! It was interesting to see how different the discussions were between Chicago and New York. We’re now working with a team of lawyers to summarize what we learned from both events and will make those available on our website.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to attend either or both programs. Thanks especially to our panelists and moderators – Stuart A. Alderoty, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, HSBC North America Holdings, Inc.; Elisa D. Garcia C., Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Office Depot; Carrie J. Hightman, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, NiSource, Inc.; Deborah Lloyd, Associate General Counsel, General Electric; Barrington Lopez, Vice President and General Counsel – Midwest Area, Verizon Wireless; Willie Miller, Jr., Deputy General Counsel, Mondelēz International; Gerd Pleuhs, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Mondelēz International; Elke Suber, Senior Attorney, Microsoft Corporation; Cathy Tang, Chief Legal Officer, KFC Corporation; Michael A. Yap, Chief Legal Officer, Prudential Financial Investments – as well as our Host Committee members – Dan Boho of Hinshaw Culbertson; Brian Duwe of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom; John Mathias of Jenner & Block; Lorraine McGowen of Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe; Terry Murphy of the Chicago Bar Association; Raj Shah of DLA Piper; Stanley B. Stallworth of Sidley Austin; Michael J. Wagner of Baker & McKenzie; and Tom White of Schiff Hardin – our friends at Mondelēz International and Chicago Chocolate Tours for the goody bag contents, and most especially to Baker & McKenzie and Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe for generously hosting the two events.
IILP in the UK
IILP launched its new British charitable arm with two programs this fall.
In Birmingham, DLA Piper kindly hosted IILP as we convened a roundtable discussion bringing together British and American lawyers to discuss diversity, equality and inclusion efforts outside the very largest metropolitan areas such as London and New York. Through a very spirited discussion, we learned that while the diversity issues were similar, resources to address them could differ significantly in cities where less attention is able to be directed toward these issues, thereby impacting diversity, equality and inclusion efforts overall. Our thanks to Sandra Wallace of DLA Piper; Satinder Hunjan QC of No. 5 Chambers; Shalini Sharma of RBS; Michael A. Yap of Prudential International Investments; and Sharon E. Jones of Jones Diversity Group for leading a thought-provoking session.
London saw IILP with a capacity crowd and a waiting list to attend our Anglo-American Symposium on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in the Legal Profession. Presented in partnership with the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Law Society of England and Wales, panels of American and British lawyers discussed and debated internal diversity efforts within our firms, corporations and chambers; external efforts by corporate clients; and the role and responsibility of our professional organizations. Thanks to RBS for hosting the London program and to our speakers: Genhi Givings Bailey and Louise Forrest from DLA Piper; Jacky Chase from 25 Bedford Row; John Collins from RBS Group; Sarah Gregory and Michael J. Wagner from Baker & McKenzie; Amanda Parshall from HSBC Holdings PLC; Sandie Okoro from Baring Asset Management; Gretchen Bellamy from Walmart; Michael A. Yap from Prudential International Investments; Sharon E. Jones from Jones Diversity Group; Jonathan Smithers from the Law Society; Maura McGowan QC from the Bar Council; Daniel Winterfeldt from InterLaw Diversity Forum; Deborah Froling from the National Association of Women Lawyers; and Gelaga King from 2 Bedford Row.
IILP is beginning to plan its next UK/US programs. While we shall continue to present programs in the UK, we are also planning programs to bring British lawyers to the US to discuss some of these same topics with American lawyers.
Symposia on the State of Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession
IILP’s first four symposia on the state of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession were held earlier this month in Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas and Seattle. The discussions have been energetic and informative. We continue to see growing geographic and generational differences in the way diversity and inclusion is being experienced and addressed in different parts of the US. If you haven’t had a chance to attend one of this year’s symposia yet, there is still time to do so:
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Chicago: Tuesday, December 3rd from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP (approved for 3 hours of IL Professional Responsibility CLE Credit)
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New York: Tuesday, November 19th from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Jenner & Block LLP
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Washington, D.C.: Wednesday, November 13th from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Baker & McKenzie
To register for any symposium or to see which authors will be appearing at which symposia, go to www.TheIILP.com. Registration is $50 per person or $25 for members of co-sponsoring bar associations and other organizations, including the National Association of Women Lawyers (“NAWL”); National LGBT Bar Association; National Native American Bar Association (“NNABA”); the California Minority Counsel Program (“CMCP”); the New York State Bar Association Committee on Diversity and Inclusion; and the Chicago Committee. If your bar association or organization isn’t already a co-sponsor, encourage them to contact us at Info@TheIILP.com. Application has been secured or is being made for CLE accreditation for each symposium; check the website for updates.
Thank you to Sidley Austin; the State Bar of California Council on Access and Fairness; the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles; Baker Botts; AT&T; Davis Wright Tremaine; and our Premier Sponsor, The Claro Group, for their help in making the symposia in Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas and Seattle such a success! On to Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, . . . and San Diego! We’d originally planned only seven symposia this year but due to popular demand, it appears that we’ll be adding a San Diego date to the calendar either in December or early January. Watch our website at www.TheIILP.com or follow us @TheIILP.com for the latest information.
New IILP Partners and Allies
IILP is pleased to welcome its newest Partner, Kirkland & Ellis and to thank them for their support of and belief in IILP, its mission and its work. If your firm, company, agency, bar association, law school or other organization would like to become an IILP Partner or Ally, you may download the application form from www.TheIILP.com.
IILP on the Road
Philadelphia Bar Association’s Chancellor’s Forum
IILP was invited to participate in Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Kathleen Wilkinson’s September forum on the Changing Parameters of Diversity. The discussion focused on changing trends in and evolving challenges to diversity and inclusion efforts in the legal profession.
MIATTY Retreat
IILP was honored to address the attendees at Mintz Levin’s MIATTY Retreat in Washington, D.C. It was a wonderful opportunity to engage in dialogue about real world issues, concerns and challenges to greater diversity and inclusion.
Harvard Law School’s Celebration 60
IILP moderated a panel on “The Diversity Among Us” at Harvard Law School’s celebration of the 60th anniversary of its first women graduates. The panel examined how the various diversity aspects of our identities shape the experiences and perspectives of professional women in the legal world and beyond. IILP Board Member Sharon E. Jones spoke on “Forming Alliances: Enhancing Women’s Power” about how women can effectively advance other women and why harnessing women’s collective power can increase women in positions of power and leadership around the world.
Defense Research Institute
IILP and its work was described and cited in the Defense Research Institute’s (“DRI”) new Diversity & Inclusion Manual.
Filipino Lawyers of Washington
IILP was pleased to be recognized at the Filipino Lawyers of Washington (“FLOW”) “Boorio Fiesta” in Seattle. Ray Ocampo’s keynote address provided a great deal of food for thought as he expanded upon the theme of masks and the costumes, decorations and Filipino food showed what a beautiful and imaginative event lawyers volunteers can present.
WHAT’S COMING UP
In addition to IILP’s upcoming symposia on the State of Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession mentioned earlier, IILP will be speaking at the State Bar of Texas’ General Counsel Summit; the Chicago Bar Association’s Ethnic and Racial Diversity Committee and Young Lawyers Diversity Committee October program; and the NAPABA Convention in Kansas City. We hope that we’ll see you at one or more!
