It often feels like the legal industry should be further ahead on diversity issues than it is. Despite being a profession that’s more liberal than average, there are still a shocking number of Biglaw firms with 1 percent or fewer black partners. Yes, in 2019.
In this week’s episode of The Jabot, I speak with Lynne Espy-Williams, Chief Diversity Officer and litigation partner at Cozen O’Connor. We discuss what it is about Biglaw that seems to hurts diversity, what law firms should be doing to change that, and what it looks like to change the industry to be more diverse.
The Jabot podcast is an offshoot of the Above the Law brand focused on the challenges women, people of color, LGBTQIA, and other diverse populations face in the legal industry. Our name comes from none other than the Notorious Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the jabot (decorative collar) she wears when delivering dissents from the bench. It’s a reminder that even when we aren’t winning, we’re still a powerful force to be reckoned with.
Happy listening!
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).