Compiled for LCLD Members and the 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, or if you would like to subscribe, please email Communications Manager Caitlin Puffenberger at cpuffenberger@lcldnet.com.
1. Why the Legal Profession Should Encourage Diversity and Inclusion
“Today’s opportunity is to recognise that we are all members of the human family. Diversity and inclusion are for all of us–created by all of us,” write Fellow Caldwell Camero and Pathfinders Makalika Naholowaa and Preetha Chakrabarti. World Trademark Review
2. GC of Uber Explains How He Incentivizes Law Firms to Diversify Ranks
“I’m one of those people who actually thinks that diversity and inclusion is not rocket science,” says Tony West, former LCLD Member and current General Counsel of Uber. “I think it’s more about intentionality.” New York Law Journal
3. Do Associate Perks Make a Difference in the Law Firm Talent War?
- Law firms like LCLD Members Reed Smith, Greenberg Traurig, Milbank, and Akin Gump are thinking about culture rather than just compensation as they aim to retain top talent. The American Lawyer
- Reed Smith’s new associate perks include ramp up and ramp down efforts to help associates transition into and out of parental leave and billable hours for continuing education. The American Lawyer
4. These Are the Diversity Initiatives Your Employees Actually Want
- A survey of more than 16,000 employees showed that different types of D&I initiatives are effective for different groups. Boston Consulting Group
- Women valued flexible work programs and visible role models; people of color wanted to see bias removed from hiring decisions and day-to-day interactions; LGBTQ employees wanted healthcare options and organizational participation in external events. Forbes
5. Women Did Everything Right. Then Work Got ‘Greedy.’
“Greedy” professions like the law can cancel out women’s educational gains, as they push couples with equal career potential into unequal roles. The New York Times
6. LISTEN: Jerk Partners Beget Jerk Partners: Ending Big Law’s Cycle of Dysfunction
Many firms turn a blind eye on negative behaviors in the partner-associate relationship—after-hours emails, lack of feedback, not giving credit where it’s due—because “that’s just the way it’s always been.” Law.com
7. Diversity Efforts Are Often Dulled Down. Here Are 5 Ways to Improve Them.
Like the legal profession, the advertising industry struggles with diversity; suggestions for improving racial and ethnic diversity include assigning high-visibility work to minority employees and increasing minority representation in decision-making roles. AdWeek
