Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession | IILP’s Post

https://lnkd.in/eqQeA_QC If you are a "Chief Diversity Officer" or any related title, in ANY state, whether you think you're safe or not... I recommend that you be ahead of the curve. As a matter of practice, you should be documenting what you do, how you run lean, far-reaching beyond merely acronyms, and how your office provides extreme value anyway, despite the obvious and potentially unfair challenges to your existence. At a conference recently, I spoke on the transferability of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

In honor of Women’s History Month, Brooks Pierce is spotlighting women attorneys and senior staff at the firm. They will continue the conversation about women’s history and achievements this month by providing advice and insight about being a woman in the legal profession. Elizabeth Troutman, partner at Brooks Pierce, shares her greatest personal accomplishment: "My practice is in the field of education law – supporting educational organizations to do a better job teaching children each year as the world continues to change and new classes of children enter kindergarten. All of that is to say that there is no prize, no moment of accomplishment, in that kind of work. My greatest personal accomplishment is probably the day that I accepted that fact. Every day that I get up and do the best I can to support those organizations is a good day. That is the role of a lawyer – helping others accomplish what they are trying to accomplish in a lawful way. They are our clients’ accomplishments, not our own." Learn more on our website:

In honor of Women’s History Month, Brooks Pierce is spotlighting women attorneys and senior staff at the firm. They will continue the conversation about women’s history and achievements this month by providing advice and insight about being a woman in the legal profession. Elizabeth Troutman, partner at Brooks Pierce, shares her greatest personal accomplishment: "My practice is in the field of education law – supporting educational organizations to do a better job teaching children each year as the world continues to change and new classes of children enter kindergarten. All of that is to say that there is no prize, no moment of accomplishment, in that kind of work. My greatest personal accomplishment is probably the day that I accepted that fact. Every day that I get up and do the best I can to support those organizations is a good day. That is the role of a lawyer – helping others accomplish what they are trying to accomplish in a lawful way. They are our clients’ accomplishments, not our own." Learn more on our website:

In honor of Women’s History Month, Brooks Pierce is spotlighting women attorneys and senior staff at the firm. They will continue the conversation about women’s history and achievements this month by providing advice and insight about being a woman in the legal profession. Elizabeth Troutman, partner at Brooks Pierce, shares her greatest personal accomplishment: "My practice is in the field of education law – supporting educational organizations to do a better job teaching children each year as the world continues to change and new classes of children enter kindergarten. All of that is to say that there is no prize, no moment of accomplishment, in that kind of work. My greatest personal accomplishment is probably the day that I accepted that fact. Every day that I get up and do the best I can to support those organizations is a good day. That is the role of a lawyer – helping others accomplish what they are trying to accomplish in a lawful way. They are our clients’ accomplishments, not our own." Learn more on our website:

Applications for the Ms. JD Fellowship close this Friday!   Rising 3Ls, this is your chance to receive mentorship, career skills, and a network of fellow women in law. Submit your application by April 12:  https://buff.ly/3Ps4VYn   #blacklawstudents #legaleagle #lawschoolgraduation #lawtina #ladieswholaw #legaljourney #becomingjd #2L #legalcommunity #legaleducation #legalprofession #lsac #lawschool

New Year. New Project from Diversity+ D+ in the classroom 🙌 What is it? 💡 D+ in the classroom aims to raise awareness about the legal profession being open to all.  We are here to bridge the gap of knowledge and experience which often prevents true inclusivity. Many pupils don’t have lawyers in the family. For some they may be the first in their families to consider going to university.  It’s a daunting thought and they need relatable AND reachable support and role models. Shiny offices, smart suits and legalistic language can not only be intimidating but foreign to many of the school pupils the profession is trying to reach and embrace. Why did we create it? 🔬 Many firms and organisations make a concerted effort to reach out to young people from diverse backgrounds, with creative schemes supported by good intentions. Sadly, and too often, the schemes fail to produce the desired results. Some, fall at the first hurdle, with being unable to attract and appeal to a diverse and inclusive audience. Others become a ‘one-off’ due to time and resource constraints.  In the recent past we have been approached by firms and organisations to help promote their schemes. Having looked behind the schemes and engaged with decision makers, we have come to the conclusion that a joint, industry wide effort is required to yield the result we are all aiming for: real, lasting change which helps to produce a diverse and inclusion legal profession for the future. When do we start? 🏃♀️ Now ... our first pilot school is ready and with the assistance of Developing the Young Workforce our first learning session is due to take place on 30th January. Interested and want to get involved? ✋ Learn more about the project, how you can get involved and the benefits to your organisation by reaching out to us here: hello@diversityplus.info https://lnkd.in/dwJiC7em #diversityandinclusion #diversityinlaw #schools #lawcareer #lawfirms #scotslaw #lawforall #everyoneiswelcome #lawstudents Anmol Rana Iona Nelson James Cox Nidah Siddique Ariuna Zonorov Gloria Adetula

I'm thrilled to share that I have successfully completed my capstone project, titled "You Are Important, We Need You to Thrive: Exploring Thriving and Well-Being in Black Women Lawyers" which begins to explore the unique challenges and opportunities that Black women face in the legal profession. This work is just the beginning of a long academic journey to explore a topic within a population that has been largely overlooked in research. Through a comprehensive literature review, I delved into the systemic barriers, microaggressions, and the imposter phenomenon that often hinder the success of Black women lawyers. At the same time, I uncovered the resilience, high-quality connections, and culturally responsive support systems that can help them thrive. By understanding the intersection of race, gender, and profession, we can begin to build legal spaces that truly empower all lawyers to reach their full potential. I’m excited to continue this important work, advocating for the changes needed to ensure that Black women lawyers not only survive but thrive in their careers. I'm just getting started! 🌟 It's now published on the University of Pennsylvania Scholarly Commons. You can read it here! https://lnkd.in/ecEU4QWf #BlackWomenLawyers #LegalProfession #WellBeing #PositivePsychology #ThrivingInLaw #CapstoneComplete

‼️ Our next article at the University of Reading’s Women in Law Society as part of our project “Behind the Books: Women’s Journeys Towards Justice” is out now! Co-written by myself and Charlotte Smith, this article is a thoughtful piece capturing Dr Rachel Horton’s authentic approach to her career, her incredible contributions to legal education at the School of Law University of Reading, and her commentary on women’s representation in the legal industry. Tap below to read! #UniversityOfReading #Law #WomeninLaw #Lawyer

MB Principal Lawyer Michelle James has been profiled by 'Year 101: Women in Law'. Year 101: Women in Law is a project dedicated to exploring women's contributions to the legal field. Its #CelebratingWomenInLaw campaign focuses on outstanding female lawyers. In this profile, Michelle discusses how we can drive diversity within the legal industry and shares her own extensive experiences in the field. Read the full profile at the link below.

DEI is not going away. Legal attacks may force organisations to better incorporate #DEI into their culture - rather than the traditional model of compliance through policies, mandates and targets. The legal challenges are predominantly focused on #race and #ethnicity, often targeting #WomenofColour. The challenges might give more impetus to take a broader #intersectional approach that moves beyond just #gender and #culture and look to constellations of marginalised identities. If your business is focused on compliance and ticking boxes when it comes to DEI, now is the time to start thinking more strategically and broadly.