Welcome to the LCLD INSIDER, our monthly newsletter to Members and supporters of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. This publication is for you, and we welcome your feedback and ideas, as well as any news you might be interested in passing along. We also encourage you to share the INSIDER with your support staff, diversity directors, and public relations and/or marketing departments to keep them better informed about what LCLD is doing. Thanks again for reading, and for your membership in LCLD.
-Robert Grey, Executive Director
Ideas That Work #3: Reward Diversity
In 2008, Microsoft Corporation launched a groundbreaking incentive program for its top outside law firms, directly tying bonuses and compensation to those firms' performance in meeting quantifiable diversity goals. Are monetary incentives an Idea that would Work for you? Microsoft GC Brad Smith describes how Microsoft puts its money where its mouth is.
LCLD Partners with ALM for First Regional Meeting
LCLD and the legal media group, ALM, are partnering to present a panel on legal diversity issues specific to New York City. The meeting will be led by LCLD Chair Rick Palmore and by ALM Editor-in-Chief Aric Press. Co-Hosted by A.B. Culvahouse, Chair of O'Melveny & Myers and Sandra Leung, General Counsel of Bristol-Myers Squibb, the panelists include:
Sharon Bowen of Latham & Watkins LLP
Michael Fricklas of Viacom
Eric Friedman of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, Flom
Louise Parent of American Express
Amy Schulman of Pfizer
The Program, "If I Can Make It Here..." will be held 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., April 17, 2012, at the Hilton New York.
Two more regional LCLD meetings will occur in Chicago, June 28, and San Francisco, August 8. For more details, e-mail Barbara Roberts.
First Meeting for LCLD Diversity Pros
What really happens on a day-to-day basis when it comes to making diversity and inclusion a reality? Those on-the-ground issues and strategies for success will be covered in a series of three meetings with diversity professionals from LCLD member organizations. The first: Noon, April 17, in New York City, at Shearman & Sterling LLP offices. Click here to learn more and register.
Congratulations to Fellows Graduates
On March 27, the inaugural class of 118 LCLD Fellows will complete their first year. The following day, the second year's class of 124 begins the program. The events will occur at the Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia.
Reconsidering Grutter
Links to articles that offer useful background or opinion about the Supreme Court's intention to revisit the use of race as a factor in admission decisions:
College Affirmative Action Faces Much Tougher Scrutiny in New Supreme Court Review, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2/22/2012
Justice and Equity Are on the Line in 'Fisher v. Texas', The Chronicle of Higher Education, 3/4/2012
Justices Take Up Race as a Factor in College Entry, The New York Times, 2/21/2012
In the House!
A question that echoed around last September's annual meeting was "Are you in the house?" It was shorthand that asks whether someone is an integral part of an organization or just appearing to be. The words were captured on many "Build-It Cards" written by LCLD members as statements of commitment...cards like this one:
Check in with racially diverse lawyers and ask if they feel 'in the house.' And figure out how to ensure through work assignments, mentoring, etc. to make sure they are deeply embedded 'in the house'of our firm.
New Member
Welcome to new LCLD member Chevron Corporation, R. Hewitt Pate, General Counsel.
