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. LCLD Members Speak the Language of Leadership 

LCLD Communications, 10/3/16

The Language of Leadership initiative launched at LCLD’s 2016 Annual Membership Meeting is meant to continue at the regional level, where it can, in fact, have even more impact and touch even more careers. It’s important that these discussions draw in Members, current Fellows and Fellows Alumni, 1Ls, Pathfinders, and even law school Mentees, put them in the same room, and focus on real-world, local issues. LCLD is committed to seeing this critical discussion take root at the local level and becoming as results-oriented as possible for all LCLD participants. 

2. Now Live! LCLD What’s Working Portal

LCLD Communications, 10/6/16

LCLD is proud to present the What’s Working portal, where LCLD Members and Diversity Professionals can find innovative solutions for creating a more inclusive legal profession. Enter the portal and choose a category to find out if what’s working for these organizations can work for you, too. 

3. AT&T CEO Calls for Dialogue on Racial Tensions: ‘Tolerance is for Cowards’

The Wall Street Journal, 9/29/16

“Our communities are being destroyed by racial tension and we are too polite to talk about it,” says Randall Stephenson, CEO of LCLD Member organization AT&T Inc. “It takes work, it takes time, it takes emotion, but we have to start communicating and if this is a dialogue that is going to begin at AT&T, I felt like it should probably start with me.” Stephenson also urges people to move beyond tolerance to understanding and acceptance. 
*Wall Street Journal subscription required

4. Kim Koopersmith of Akin Gump on Law Firm Succession, Collaboration, Diversity, and Lawyer Retention

Forbes, 10/3/16

LCLD Member Kim Koopersmith discusses her role as Chair of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. She has been a longtime champion of flexible work arrangements and feels strongly about promoting diversity from the top. “We’re focused on how assignments are given out to make sure that people are getting opportunities to grow and stretch in the work that they do and to remain engaged so that you can see why you would want to remain practicing at Akin Gump,” Koopersmith said. “And that’s a different project than getting people in the door.” 

5. #Vision2020: The Language of Leadership

LCLD Communications, 10/12/16

LCLD held its Seventh Annual Membership Meeting in Chicago on October 6, 2016. LCLD staff live-tweeted the meeting, and attendees were encouraged to engage on social media using the hashtag #Vision2020.