DEI in the Legal Industry: PLI’s Free Webcast Series for PD Appreciation Month
Join us for a free, four-part series focused on different topics in DEI and the legal profession. Created for PD Appreciation Month, this series will benefit everyone working in the legal industry.
PLI is proud to announce our second annual Empowering Professional Development series. After covering topics in wellness for our inaugural PD Appreciation Month, this year our focus is on the PD community’s best practices for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). For such an important, wide-ranging topic, program Co-Chairs Sandra Bang of Shearman and Melanie Priddy of Katten worked closely with PLI’s Jesse Sands and Kirsten Talmage on crafting multifaceted program agendas that highlight a diverse array of perspectives. Registrations are open to all and free of charge ‒ and we’ve worked to ensure these programs are compelling, informative, and accessible.
The first installment in the virtual series of four weekly, one-hour panels is scheduled for October 28, just a few days before the official start of PD Appreciation Month on November 1. The program will explore innovative methods for supporting our diverse lawyers and their wellness as we go back to the office; dive deep into the infusion of DEI into all law firm business functions and processes for success; learn from lawyers at the top of their games about having successful careers outside of firms and how law firms can better support career paths for diverse professions; and finish by examining how some law firms and their clients are working together to move the DEI needle.
Join us as we learn and share together best practices for fostering a more diverse and inclusive legal industry ‒ and stay tuned for more posts on DEI in the legal profession throughout the second annual PD Appreciation Month!
Wellness, DEI and the Return to Office | Thursday, October 28
The critical connection between wellness and DEI has never been more apparent than during the last 19 months (and counting). As we examine how and when we return to our physical workspaces, the myriad of issues involved have direct impact on our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and priorities. How does remote work impact opportunities for advancement and relationship building for our diverse lawyers? Does a return to office mean a return to microaggressions that remote work allowed us to leave behind? How do our diverse lawyers maintain their well-being and resilience? This panel features law firm talent professionals, a DEI and wellness consultant, and a personal trainer discussing the challenges we face, along with innovative methods for supporting our diverse lawyers and their wellness as we go back to the office.
Integration of DEI into Business Functions | Tuesday, November 2
While much time and attention has been given to diversity training and initiatives, the needle has been slow to move. Many organizations show positive results in recruiting but struggle to maintain diversity in retention and advancement. Our second panel presentation offers the opportunity to hear experienced leaders discuss ways in which your organization can integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into all business functions and processes to bring about lasting change.
Career Success Stories: Best Practices for Supporting the Career Paths of Diverse Lawyers | Thursday, November 11
Sharing the successful career path stories of diverse lawyers is essential. We can learn from diverse lawyers about various pivot points during their careers, what opportunities to leverage, and how law firm PD departments can better support the development and career advancement of diverse lawyers. Guided by perspectives from three diverse lawyers at the top of their game and pursuing their passions, our panelists show how we as PD professionals can support other diverse lawyers during their career journeys.
Innovative Ways In-House Legal Departments and Law Firms Can Partner to Enhance DEI | Thursday, November 18
Corporate law departments and law firms share a mutual goal of increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion within their respective organizations and within the broader legal profession. Legal departments have long partnered with their law firms to advance DEI in a variety of ways, ensuring that diverse lawyers are staffed on matters ranging from collaborating on a pipeline project to taking on a pro bono case, just to name a few. Our speakers include prominent in-house counsel and diversity professionals, and their conversation is set to cover the innovative ways that law firms and in-house legal departments can work together for deeper engagement and measurable results.
