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 Communications Specialist Caitlin Puffenberger at cpuffenberger@lcldnet.com.
1. The Diversity Discussion: Big Law Partner Shares His Experiences to Help Change the Norm
Corporate Counsel, 2/7/19
“My own experience demonstrates that the combination of a conscious decision by a GC and a meaningful commitment by a law firm to give real opportunities to diverse attorneys can change the trajectory of a person’s career,” writes Nate Lampley, Office Managing Partner at LCLD Member firm Vorys.
2. A Broader View Of Big Law Partnership And Priorities
Forbes, 2/7/19
“Law firms lag in diversity in part because their focus is elsewhere,” writes Mark Cohen, CEO of Legal Mosaic. “Firm lawyers are rewarded for hours, origination, and profitability—all internal metrics that advance profit-per-partner but are often misaligned with client objectives.”
3. New CLE Program has Custom Focus on In-House Counsel, Diversity
Corporate Counsel, 2/4/19
In-House Focus provides recorded CLE classes on issues that impact in-house counsel—and the majority of presenters are, intentionally, women and people of color. Presenters include representatives from LCLD Member organizations DLA Piper, Goodwin Procter, Microsoft, Morgan Lewis & Bockius, Norton Rose Fulbright, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, Perkins Coie, Seyfarth Shaw, and Sullivan & Cromwell.
4. Microsoft Helps Develop an AI-Powered Bridge to Legal Aid
Legal Tech News, 2/6/19
Legal Navigator, a new tool from LCLD Member organization Microsoft, aims to address the access to justice gap by using artificial intelligence to walk people through basic legal proceedings and answer questions about legal aid.
5. What Basketball’s Approach to Talent Can Teach Us About America’s Racial Wealth Gap
Fortune, 2/9/19
People of color in the professional world could benefit from four key ingredients in the NBA’s talent playbook: individualized roadmaps to success, continuous coaching, a supportive peer community, and visible role models.
6. Research: Are Women Better at Leading Diverse Countries Than Men?
Harvard Business Review, 2/7/19
Diverse countries led by women had an average of 5.4 percent GDP growth, as compared with their male counterparts’ 1.1 percent, according to a recent study.
