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, articles you'd like to share, of if you would like to subscribe, please email Caitlin Puffenberger at cpuffenberger@lcldnet.com. 

1. Seventh Annual LCLD Membership Meeting: Agenda Now Available 

On October 5-6, LCLD Members will meet in Chicago to explore their unique power to communicate core values of leadership at the Seventh Annual Membership Meeting. Click here to register and see the full agenda. 

2. The Role of GC Keeps Expanding. And CEOs Like it That Way.

Corporate Counsel, 9/13/16

CEOs and board members want general counsel to take on more responsibilities outside the legal realm, according to a new survey from KPMG International. Those roles include serving as board members and ethics officers, developing corporate social responsibility, and making data breach response strategies. It’s also crucial for GCs to understand technology and consider the ways it can be used to improve and expand business. 

3. Op-Ed: How We Can Diversify the Legal Profession and Why We Must 

Law360, 9/9/16

Mark Roellig, Co-Chair of the American Bar Association’s Diversity and Inclusion 360 Commission and LCLD Board Member, discusses the ways in which corporate legal departments can encourage law firms to improve their diversity. “For legal teams to be most successful, they should be composed of groups that are both diverse and inclusive,” Roellig writes. “And to obtain the best results, both in-house and outside counsel should ensure that they are diverse and inclusive from top to bottom, with all aspects of diversity valued.” The ABA recently passed a resolution urging all providers of legal services to improve diversity and transparency in their ranks. 

NOTE: This article is shared with permission from Law360 and will only be available for a limited time. Please do not redistribute. 

4. Inside Intel’s Progress On Its Bold Diversity Goals

FastCompany, 8/10/16

“A great deal of work needs to be done inside Intel as well as the broader tech industry to cultivate a fully inclusive environment that welcomes and embraces a broad set of perspectives,” said Danielle Brown, Intel’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Following a pledge from Intel’s CEO to improve and be transparent about the company’s diversity, Intel has improved its percentage of women and underrepresented minority employees. The company has also achieved 100 percent gender pay parity, is working to improve the retenention and promotion of diverse employees, and commissioned a report on the business case for diversity at tech companies. 

5. Diverse Business Leaders 2016: Chris Pickett, Shareholder and Chief Diversity Officer at Greensfelder Hemker & Gale

St. Louis Business Journal, 9/9/16

Chris Pickett, 2013 Fellow and Chief Diversity Officer at Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, was named a Diverse Business Leader of 2016 for his successful trial career and work promoting diversity in the legal profession. Under Pickett’s leadership, the firm has been recognized as a top firm for women, made lateral hires of diverse associates, and continues to engage with LCLD programs.