Compiled for the LCLD Board of Directors every Wednesday, this digest is designed to brief you on the latest headlines about LCLD Members and organizations, as well as thought-provoking articles on diversity in the legal profession, talent development, mentoring, and leadership. Past issues of the Digest are also archived on the LCLD web site.
If you have questions about the Digest, or articles you'd like to share, please email Caitlin Puffenberger at cpuffenberger@lcldnet.com.
This week, in news related to diversity and inclusion...
1. How to Find Your Leadership Sweet Spot
Inc.com, 4/15/15
The best leaders know how to optimize their abilities for the highest impact. But they also know how to help their employees find their own leadership “sweet spot” – the place where their passions and talents intersect. Making sure your employees’ sweet spots match up with their job requirements is the best way to predict their success.
2. The Gender Pay Gap is Bad. The Gender Pay Gap for Women of Color is Even Worse.
The New Republic, 4/14/15
April 14 was Equal Pay Day, created to call attention to the fact that women earn, on average, 78 cents for every white man’s dollar. But what's less visible is that the number is even lower for women of color: Hispanic women earn 54 percent of the average white man’s salary, black women 64 percent, and Native American women 65 percent.
3. The Case Against Gay Marriage: Top Law Firms Won’t Touch It
The New York Times, 4/11/15
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear two cases on same-sex marriage later this month, the arguments against gay marriage are being left to lower-profile firms. Lawyers fear that opposition to such unions is bigotry akin to racism, while firms don’t want to lose potential clients or new recruits.
4. 'Non-Traditional Backgrounds' Targeted for High Court Recruitment
Solicitors Journal, 4/8/15
The Judicial Appointments Commission of England and Wales launched a new initiative this week to appoint people from non-traditional backgrounds as judges on its High Court. The program will provide mentoring and work-shadowing to women and minority lawyers and academics with no previous judicial experience. “We fear that we may be missing out on a pool of talent for whom the traditional route is not an option - top flight solicitors and barristers, general counsel, academics and many more,” said Lady Justice Heather Hallett. “These are people who would bring a whole range of skills and abilities on top of their first class legal knowledge and experience.”
5. Boies Schiller Backs First Openly Gay Boy Scout Leader
The American Lawyer, 4/8/15
David Boies, LCLD Member and Chairman of Boies, Schiller & Flexner, is advocating for the hire of the first openly gay Boy Scout leader. Pascal Tessier became the first openly gay Eagle Scout last year, and was recently hired by the New York chapter despite the national organization’s ban on gay leaders. Boies and his firm are working with Tessier to find a way around the policy, but have promised to represent him pro bono if necessary.
