Welcome to the LCLD Insider, our monthly newsletter. This publication is for you, and we welcome your feedback and ideas, as well as any news you might be interested in passing along. Please share the Insider with your support staff, diversity directors, and marketing departments to keep them better informed about what LCLD is doing.
-Robert Grey, President
In This Issue:
- Deadline Tomorrow: Register to Host 2018 1L Scholars
- At Annual Meeting, Members Expand Power of the LCLD Network
- Sustainable Partnerships: An Idea Worth Repeating
- Creating a Collaborative Culture: Fellows Visit 3M
- On Excursion to A&F, Fellows Find a New, More Inclusive Company
- Pathfinder Alumni Amp Up the Power of Their Network
- What's Working in D&I at LCLD Member Organizations
- Recent Leadership Lunches
- Welcome, New Members!
- In the News
Did You Know?
We’ve identified this year’s most active LCLD Member law firms and corporations. Congratulations to our top performers!
Deadline Tomorrow: Register to Host 2018 1L Scholars
The 1L LCLD Scholars Program is designed to strengthen the legal pipeline by expanding the number of opportunities for diverse first-year law students. Prior to completing a summer internship at your organization, the 1L Scholars will be invited to attend the 2018 1L LCLD Scholars Summit, May 22-24, 2018 at the Sheraton Philadelphia Society Hill hotel. This is a career-development conference designed specifically for 1L Scholars. The deadline to register your organization to host 2018 1L Scholars is tomorrow, November 17, 2017.
We also encourage you to consider collaborating with another LCLD Member organization on a 2018 1L Scholars Partnership. Through 1L Scholars Partnerships, law firms and corporate legal departments work together to create summer internships in which both organizations provide insights and experience to diverse, first-year law students.
Click here to read about how Altria and Hunton & Williams LLP have built a valuable partnership for 1L Scholars at their organizations.
For questions about the 1L LCLD Scholars Program, please contact Nancy Richardson, LCLD Program Manager.
At Annual Meeting, Members Expand Power of the LCLD Network
LCLD Chair Laura Stein, Executive VP and General Counsel of Clorox, welcomed a record crowd of attendees to the 8th Annual LCLD Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Joe Mahoney)
The Power of the LCLD Network to drive change—both within LCLD organizations and across the profession—was the theme of the LCLD Eighth Annual Membership Meeting, which took place on October 17, 2017 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C.
The night before, Members, guests, and the 2017 Fellows (who were meeting concurrently) enjoyed a festive welcome reception at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, including self-guided tours of the exhibits.
The next day's meeting focused on expanding the power of the LCLD Network, as expressed in the visionary words of Chair Laura Stein, a recap of the LCLD Network's growth in 2017 by LCLD President Robert Grey, and keynote remarks from author Joshua Cooper Ramo and luncheon speaker Ken Frazier, CEO of Merck & Co.
The day also explored how to harness the LCLD network in practical ways. GC-hosted table discussions in the morning sought to develop new ideas and experiments to advance diversity within law firms and corporations. And an afternoon panel featured four organizations that are pioneering new ways to advance diverse attorneys to leadership.
Click here to view the full meeting agenda with links to articles and videos that detail many parts of the day.
If you have any comments or suggestions for next year's membership meeting (scheduled for October 16, 2018 in Washington, D.C.), please contact Robert Grey, LCLD President.
Sustainable Partnerships: An Idea Worth Repeating
By Joe Slay, Strategic Initiatives Director, LCLD
On stage at the first Sustainable Partnerships meeting in Washington are moderator Robert Grey and three GC's: Brian Brooks of Fannie Mae, Maryanne Lavan of Lockheed Martin, and Cynthia Gibson of Scripps Network Interactive. (Photo by Jay Haas)
The Washington-area creators of the highly successful May 2, 2017 Sustainable Partnerships event made a splash at the 2017 Annual Meeting, earning rave reviews for their presentation to nearly 300 LCLD Members, led by General Counsel Brian Brooks and Deputy General Counsel and 2012 Fellow Kenny Perry of Fannie Mae.
Shortly thereafter, they followed through by helping to organize a second Sustainable Partnerships event in the Washington area on November 1.
In addition to career insights freely shared by leaders with rising diverse attorneys, these events demonstrate that such regional events can support the building of ongoing relationships and empower the LCLD Network. Read more.
For questions about Sustainable Partnerships, please contact Erin Hess, LCLD Strategic Initiatives Program Manager.
Creating a Collaborative Culture: Fellows Visit 3M
By Caitlin Puffenberger, Communications Specialist, LCLD
Fellows Renee Doston-Gill, Carlos Tellez, and Lica Tomizuka at the 3M Learning Experience on September 8, 2017. (Photo by Caitlin Puffenberger.)
3M is best known for its consumer products—Post-it® Notes, Scotch™ tape, and sandpaper, to name a few—and develops products and solutions in a wide array of industries, including healthcare, energy, and manufacturing. But when LCLD Fellows visited the company’s Minnesota office earlier this fall, they learned about much more than the company’s products.
The Learning Experience opened with a session highlighting some of 3M’s most important values—innovation, collaboration, and a focus on people—from Chief Design Officer Eric Quint. Quint spoke about his role guiding creative thinking across 3M’s 24 business divisions, and particularly the ways in which he encourages the use of design thinking to make sure that the company remains people-centric and meaningful. One way 3M does this is through what Quint calls “collaborative creativity.” Read more.
For questions about hosting a Learning Experience, please contact Nichole Velasquez, LCLD Fellows Program Manager.
On Excursion to A&F, Fellows Find a New, More Inclusive Company
By Nichole Velasquez, Fellows Program Manager, LCLD
At the Abercrombie & Fitch Learning Experience, Fellows enjoyed a tour of the company's Ohio headquarters, including mock stores and a denim embroidery workshop, above. (Photo by Erin Hess)
Gone are the days when Abercrombie & Fitch, Co. stood for scantily-clad models and a “cool kid” mentality.
That’s one of the lessons LCLD Fellows took away from the Learning Experience hosted by the company on September 21, 2017, which emphasized Abercrombie’s strategic emphasis on inclusiveness and making its brand accessible to all consumers.
From their early morning arrival on campus, it was clear to the 30 Fellows who attended that this was going to be a one-of-a-kind Learning Experience. Surrounded by woods in New Albany, Ohio, Abercrombie headquarters felt more like a wilderness lodge than a corporate nerve center, built around an outdoor gathering space for employees with a fire pit in the middle. As the Fellows watched, Abercrombie employees whizzed around on scooters, available at the entrance of each building. Read more.
The next Learning Experience will take place at The Walt Disney Company on December 4-5, 2017 in Burbank, CA, and will be hosted by Alan Braverman, Senior Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary at Disney, and LCLD Board Member. For questions about hosting a Learning Experience, please contact Nichole Velasquez, Fellows Program Manager.
Pathfinder Alumni Amp Up the Power of Their Network
By Jessica Sabesan, Communications & Marketing Manager, LCLD
LCLD Pathfinders at the first annual Pathfinder Alumni Meeting at Microsoft in Washington, D.C. (Photo courtesy of 2017 Pathfinder Hanna Kim)
On September 15-16, 2017, nearly 30 LCLD Pathfinder Alumni gathered at the Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center in Washington, D.C. for the first annual LCLD Pathfinder Alumni Meeting.
A group of Microsoft Pathfinders planted the seed for this event when they got together for lunch one day in March. Partly inspired by Microsoft Fellows who were planning the Fellows Alumni Leadership Symposium in June, these Pathfinders decided that the time had come to form an alumni network of their own to keep in touch and grow their relationships. Over lunch, they messaged other 2016 Pathfinders on GroupMe and asked if they were interested in a reunion. The reponse was enthusiastic, and the official planning began.
When the meeting started on September 15, Pathfinder Alumni were welcomed by Suhail Khan, Director of External Affairs at Microsoft’s Washington, D.C. office, and Walt Lohmann, Special Projects Coordinator at LCLD and Of Counsel at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Read more.
For more information about the Pathfinder Alumni Meeting, please contact 2015 Pathfinder Andrea Grieco or 2016 Pathfinder Aneesh Mehta. For questions about the Pathfinder Program, please contact Lori Lorenzo, LCLD Program Director.
What's Working in D&I at LCLD Member Organizations
2017 1L Scholars hosted by Hunton & Williams and Altria, from left: Alyson Brown, Akiyah Francis, Jackie Chang, Victoria Chang, and Victoria Nguyen.
Here's the latest on What's Working in diversity and inclusion initiatives at LCLD Member law firms and corporations:
- Partner on 1L Scholars to Build Pipeline, Relationships: Partnering on LCLD’s 1L Scholars Program helped Altria and Hunton & Williams provide a unique and influential experience to a group of diverse summer associates—and enhance their client-firm relationship. “The partnership helps further distinguish Hunton from other law firms that are proactively going out and recruiting these diverse law students,” said Wesley Bizzell, 2014 LCLD Fellow and Assistant General Counsel and Director of Political Law and Ethics Programs at Altria. Read more.
- Mandate Diversity, Encourage Collaboration: HP Inc. has taken a bold stance on diversity, withholding up to 10 percent of billables from firms that fail to meet certain diversity requirements. Read more.
- Create Expectation, Accountability for Diverse Hires: With its Rooney “presumption,” LCLD Member firm Seyfarth Shaw LLP is changing the culture around minority hiring—and seeing results. Read more.
To learn about What's Working in diversity, inclusion, and talent development at LCLD Member organizations, click here. To submit an initiative, please email Caitlin Puffenberger, LCLD Communications Specialist.
Recent Leadership Lunches
We'd like to thank the following LCLD Members for hosting Leadership Lunches in November:
- Susie Lees, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Allstate Insurance Company, and Thomas Bender, Co-President and Managing Director at Littler Mendelson, P.C., who hosted a Leadership Lunch at Littler Mendelson's Chicago office on November 1, 2017.
- The following speakers for General Electric Company's Coast-to-Coast Leadership Events in Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; and San Ramon, CA, this Friday, November 17, 2017: Alex Dimitrief, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, General Electric Company, and LCLD Member; Steven Wright, Executive Partner, Holland & Knight LLP, Boston Office; Tom LaFrance, General Counsel, GE Transportation; Terrance Truax, Managing Partner, Jenner & Block and LCLD Member; Katherine Butler, General Counsel, GE Digital; and Andrew Giacomini, Managing Partner, Hanson Bridgett LLP and LCLD Board Member.
- Ian Graham, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary at BAE Systems, Inc., and Les Bookoff, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Bookoff McAndrews PLLC, who will host a Leadership Lunch at the Washington, D.C. office of Bookoff McAndrews on November, 29, 2017.
For questions about hosting or speaking at a Leadership Lunch, please contact Nichole Velasquez, LCLD Fellows Program Manager.
Welcome, New Members!
Julie Gruber, Executive Vice President, Global General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer, Gap Inc. With the opening of the very first Gap store in 1969, co-founders Doris and Don Fisher grew their dream business together as equal partners. This foundation of equality still exists today at Gap Inc. where inclusion and equality is woven into our DNA.
As a global company, we know that appreciating and understanding the diversity of our customers, employees, and partners around the world is good for business and helps us succeed. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase in more than 90 countries worldwide through about 3,200 company-operated stores, about 450 franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. Gap Inc. is proud to join the LCLD community and support their mission of creating a truly diverse U.S. legal profession.
Michael Hankinson, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Delta Dental. As the first company to specialize in dental benefits, Delta Dental is passionate about oral health and its importance to future generations. Delta Dental's core purpose is the advancement of oral health care to its customers, partners, and consumers through the dental benefits programs and philanthropic efforts of our 39 independent member companies.
In the News
Laura Stein (l), LCLD Board Chair, and Executive Vice President and General Counsel of The Clorox Company, and LCLD Members Horacio Gutierrez (c), General Counsel of Spotify, and Kim Rivera (r), General Counsel of HP Inc., weigh in on general counsel’s ability to advocate for social justice.
Ben Wilson (l), LCLD Board Member, and Managing Principal at Beveridge & Diamond P.C., LCLD Member Contact Fred Nance (c), Global Managing Partner of Squire Patton Boggs, and LCLD Member Maurice Watson (r), LCLD Member and Chairman at Husch Blackwell LLP, are among the small number of African-American managing partners of top law firms.
Mark Roellig, former LCLD Board Member and Chief Technology Officer at MassMutual, and Coco Xiao, 2017 1L Scholar, authored an article for ACC Docket on the unequal growth rate of women and minorities in the legal profession.
Francine Griesing, LCLD Member, and Founder and Managing Member of Griesing Law, is among a growing number of women leaving big law firms to start their own practices.
Fentrice Driskell, 2014 Fellow and Shareholder at Carlton Fields, speaks on the many firsts in her career and her commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
Michelle Lipkowitz, 2014 Fellow, was named Vice Managing Partner of Saul Ewing’s Baltimore office.
Laura Maechtlen, 2011 Fellow, was named Chair of Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s Labor & Employment Department.
Erica Mason, 2012 Fellow, Partner at Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, and President of the Hispanic National Bar Association, weighs in on the dearth of Latinos in the legal profession.
Christopher Pickett, 2013 Fellow and Chief Diversity Officer at Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., is receiving the 2017 Excellence in Business Performance Award from the St. Louis American Foundation, in part for his commitment to diversity.
Various LCLD Member organizations were also featured in the news.
Read the latest issue of the LCLD Weekly News Digest on major issues in diversity and the legal profession. If you would like to receive the news digest via email each Wednesday, please contact Caitlin Puffenberger.
Jessica Sabesan
Communications & Marketing Manager, LCLD Insider Editor
If you have any news or honors that are relevant to LCLD Members, please email Jessica Sabesan at jsabesan@lcldnet.com.
