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ACI : Conference-Papers : 2007 : Law Firm Diversity

2nd National Forum on

Law Firm Diversity

Real Situations • Real Solutions

Monday, September 25, 2006

About

Creating a diversity policy is just the first step in establishing a truly effective diversity program.

If you don't take the next step, you're destined to fall...

Many law firms have already responded to the "call to action" by instituting a general framework for an internal diversity program. But there is often a tremendous gap between the actual corporate culture that exists for diversity attorneys and the firm policy that is advertised. Simply having a diversity policy but not implementing it effectively isn't good enough-clients won't accept it and will take their business elsewhere.

The truly diverse firm must be able to overcome challenges and hurdles that occur on a day-to-day basis-this entails going well beyond having a diversity description on the firm Web site. Workable tools, specific procedures, key personnel-these are all necessary ingredients of a successful diversity program.

ACI's publication from the 2nd National Forum on Law Firm Diversity takes diversity to the next level by identifying and isolating the myriad of complex issues diversity presents and tackling the real-world problems of incorporating a progressive and effective diversity policy. Read the presentations by speakers from award-winning firms, attorneys who have overcome diversity challenges, and specialists in integrating diversity programs. Innovative and cutting-edge topics include:

  • Reconciling the ramifications of fitting a diversity agenda into your firm's corporate culture with antidiscrimination law
  • Overcoming adversity within diversity – case studies of success stories
  • Responding to alleged discrimination: Ground-level strategies and steps to take
  • Overcoming small and mid-size firm challenges in recruiting and retaining diversity target attorneys
  • Reconciling the diversity initiative with corporate culture – ensuring firm-wide "buy-in"

Contents & Contributors

About

Creating a diversity policy is just the first step in establishing a truly effective diversity program.

If you don't take the next step, you're destined to fall...

Many law firms have already responded to the "call to action" by instituting a general framework for an internal diversity program. But there is often a tremendous gap between the actual corporate culture that exists for diversity attorneys and the firm policy that is advertised. Simply having a diversity policy but not implementing it effectively isn't good enough-clients won't accept it and will take their business elsewhere.

The truly diverse firm must be able to overcome challenges and hurdles that occur on a day-to-day basis-this entails going well beyond having a diversity description on the firm Web site. Workable tools, specific procedures, key personnel-these are all necessary ingredients of a successful diversity program.

ACI's publication from the 2nd National Forum on Law Firm Diversity takes diversity to the next level by identifying and isolating the myriad of complex issues diversity presents and tackling the real-world problems of incorporating a progressive and effective diversity policy. Read the presentations by speakers from award-winning firms, attorneys who have overcome diversity challenges, and specialists in integrating diversity programs. Innovative and cutting-edge topics include:

  • Reconciling the ramifications of fitting a diversity agenda into your firm's corporate culture with antidiscrimination law
  • Overcoming adversity within diversity – case studies of success stories
  • Responding to alleged discrimination: Ground-level strategies and steps to take
  • Overcoming small and mid-size firm challenges in recruiting and retaining diversity target attorneys
  • Reconciling the diversity initiative with corporate culture – ensuring firm-wide "buy-in"

Contents & Contributors


LAW FIRM DIVERSITY: REAL SITUATIONS, REAL SOLUTIONS
Carl Cooper, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP

"OPENING THE CAN OF WORMS:" WHAT CAN THE MICHIGAN CASES TELL US ABOUT ADDRESSING THE "LEGAL BACKLASH" FROM DRIVERSITY PROGRAMS IN THE LEGAL WORKPLACE
Fred W. Alvarez, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.
Erin M. Doyle, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.

"OPENING THE CAN OF WORMS:" ADDRESSING THE LEGAL BACKLASH THAT CAN ARISE
Deborah J. Broyles, Thelen, Reid & Priest, LLP
Fred W. Alvarez, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C

RECONCILING THE DIVERSITY INITIATIVE WITH CORPORATE CULTURE – ENSURING FIRM-WIDE "BUY-IN"
C. Elaine Arabatzis, Dickstein Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky LLP

RECONCILING THE DIVERSITY INITIATIVE WITH CORPORATE CULTURE – ENSURING FIRM-WIDE "BUY-IN"
Erica Bronstein, JD, Ibis Consulting Group

STUDY OF MINORITY STUDENT ATTITUDES SUMMARY RESULTS: PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY 2005
Deborah J. Broyles, Thelen, Reid & Priest, LLP

OVERCOMING ADVERSITY WITHIN DIVERSITY – SUCCESS STORIES
Deborah Epstein Henry, Flex-Time Lawyers LLC

DIVERSITY AT LUCENT: MOVING BEYOND DIVERSITY TO PROACTIVE INCLUSION
Ethel G. Batten, Lucent Technologies Inc.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT PEPSICO
Ron Parker, PepsiCo North America

BEYOND MENTORING – ENSURING AND CULTIVATING ATTORNEY DEVELOPMENT
Ida O. Abbott, Ida Abbott Consulting
Mitchell Karp, Karp Consulting Group
Janis M. Meyer, Dewey Ballantine LLP
Sandra Bang, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (Moderator)

BEYOND MENTORING – ENSURING AND CULTIVATING ATTORNEY DEVELOPMENT
Mitchell Karp, Karp Consulting Group

OVERCOMING MID-SIZE AND SMALL FIRM CHALLENGES
Joshua W. Martin III, Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP

INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS OF DISCRIMINATION
Jennifer Jacobs, Bracewell, & Giulani LLP
Sandra Bang, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
PARTNERING FOR PROGRESS
James Klenk, Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal LLP
Stephen Pugh, Pugh, Jones, Johnson and Quandt