The Stephen James Partnership’s Post

Great article by my colleague Kim Mallett!

A commitment to hiring Black partners is not only a matter of social responsibility but also a strategic business decision that can enhance a law firm's performance, reputation, and competitiveness in the legal market. Kim Mallett elaborates on how law firms can diversify their workforce and why this is still imperative in 2024. https://bit.ly/3SEDEFX #mlaglobal #blackhistorymonth #diversityinclusion #belonging #retention

#LawyersofLinkedIn, this three-part Ontario Association of Black Paralegals (OABP) program is presented by Shequita Thompson-Reid, and focuses on equipping legal professionals with tools to address racism and discrimination in the workplace. Shequita Thompson-Reid gives a primer on the historical foundations of racism in the field of law, imparts techniques for supporting racialized coworkers, and shares her professional experiences navigating racism. The presenter also discusses how to be an anti-racist, navigate comfort zones and growth zones, the “staircase to oppression,” the three forms of microaggressions, and statistics on existing inequalities within the legal field. The presenter emphasizes the difference between authentic and performative allyship, she addresses white supremacy, its intentions, impacts, and manifestations, both overt and covert, in the workplace, highlighting the psychological toll on racial minorities. Furthermore, Shequita Thompson-Reid explores organizational practices and strategies that law firms can adopt to improve outcomes for racialized employees, while also offering advice for legal professionals facing discrimination; emphasizing the creation of a more comfortable and inclusive workplace. Watch the full program and more videos on-demand at CPDonline.ca when you get a subscription! https://lnkd.in/eSv8wKfu #Law #lawstudents #lawyers #lawfirmmarketing #lawyerlife #lawyering #lawsuits #lawandlegislation #legalissues #legalprofession #paralegals

Did you know that approximately 5% of lawyers in the US are Black? Whereas 13.6% of the US population are Black. That percentage is the same as it was 10 years ago. Let's amplify diverse voices in the legal field!   Learn more about diversity in the legal profession at: https://lnkd.in/eEamZDd   #JudicareLegalAid #AcessToJustice # EqualJustice #BlackHistoryMonth

#LawyersofLinkedIn, this three-part Ontario Association of Black Paralegals (OABP) program is presented by Shequita Thompson-Reid, and focuses on equipping legal professionals with tools to address racism and discrimination in the workplace. Shequita Thompson-Reid gives a primer on the historical foundations of racism in the field of law, imparts techniques for supporting racialized coworkers, and shares her professional experiences navigating racism. The presenter also discusses how to be an anti-racist, navigate comfort zones and growth zones, the “staircase to oppression,” the three forms of microaggressions, and statistics on existing inequalities within the legal field. The presenter emphasizes the difference between authentic and performative allyship, she addresses white supremacy, its intentions, impacts, and manifestations, both overt and covert, in the workplace, highlighting the psychological toll on racial minorities. Furthermore, Shequita Thompson-Reid explores organizational practices and strategies that law firms can adopt to improve outcomes for racialized employees, while also offering advice for legal professionals facing discrimination; emphasizing the creation of a more comfortable and inclusive workplace. You can watch the full program on-demand at CPDonline.ca when you get a low cost subscription! Save 50% on your 2024 CPD when you enter the code '2YEAROFF'! https://lnkd.in/eSv8wKfu #Law #lawstudents #lawyers #lawfirmmarketing #lawyerlife #lawyering #lawsuits #lawandlegislation #legalissues #legalprofession #paralegals

SPECIAL REPORTS ›A National Conversation on Racism: the Legal Profession's Role in Driving Equality Photo: mavo/Shutterstock.com NEWS The Black Attorney Population Has Not Grown Since 2011 The stagnation in Black attorney head count growth comes as overall minority numbers have inched up and as the legal industry has put a considerable focus on improving diversity in the profession. August 02, 2021 at 01:56 PM  2 minute read Diversity Dylan Jackson What You Need to Know The proportion of Black attorneys in the legal industry has slightly declined since 2011, according to the ABA. The decline comes as the number of minority attorneys as a whole has seen an increase. Poor retention and a decline in representation among other sectors of the industry may be to blame. New data from the American Bar Association has found that Black attorneys make up roughly 4.7% of all lawyers—a small dip from 2011, when Black attorneys made up 4.8% of the lawyer population, and a testament to the lack of progress the industry as a whole has seen in the last decade despite the renewed push from Big Law. The data stems from the ABA National Lawyer Population Survey released last week. The survey notes that while Black attorneys have seen a decline in proportional representation, the overall proportion of minority attorneys have increased over that same time frame. In 2011, 11.7% of attorneys belonged to a minority group. This year, 14.6% of attorneys identify as a minority—a percentage increase of 2.9%.

People of color are disproportionately impacted by the legal system, yet Black attorneys remain underrepresented. Lets change that! Check out this Forbes article on why we need more #BlackLawFirms #BlackLawyersMatter #DiversityinLaw

Humanizing Attorneys: A Necessity for an Inclusive Workplace Law firms must recognize the importance of humanizing their attorneys–their most valuable asset–by building trust and valuing team members as essential to building an inclusive workplace.   Our recent survey of underrepresented attorneys in Big Law reveals troubling feelings of social isolation. Many do not "feel seen by co-workers,” are “left out of lunches,” and are discreetly excluded from team celebrations. One commenter shared, “I am one of only two black attorneys in the state for my firm. I dread going into the office because of the overall isolation.” In our latest Diversity in Big Law white paper, we combined insights from DEI professionals and survey responses to explore strategies and provide action points for improving the experiences of underrepresented attorneys.    📊 Download the report: https://lnkd.in/eGZgpHX4   🎥 Watch the Diversity in Law webinar replay: https://lnkd.in/eX_u5SSq

When you choose a law firm make sure if you are black american view the website and look for diversity and if the law firm does have people that represent who you are keep looking. Remember if someone that look like you can’t work for the law firm then that law firm does not deserve you as a client. When you go to the website and your people are excluded then you should exclude that firm and do not let him, her, or them make money off you. #diversity

Embracing diversity goes beyond a mere commitment to inclusivity; it is a strategic move to mitigate risks in an ever-changing business landscape. Take, for example, last month's lawsuit against Troutman Law Firm, where a terminated Black lawyer alleges discrimination, underscoring the pressing need for workplaces to prioritize inclusivity and equal treatment. The lawsuit prompts reflection on how organizations can actively combat discrimination. When organizations prioritize diversity and invest in #HumanCapital, they not only foster a more vibrant and dynamic workplace but also position themselves to navigate uncertainties with resilience and agility. Is your company positioned and committed to doing that? #BusinessStrategy #RiskMitigation Karen Sloan for Reuters