VOYlegal’s Post

"Should minorities receive different - 'special' - treatment when applying for jobs after law school if their credentials are just not as good? In light of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision against affirmative action and pending litigation against diversity fellowships at two of the nation's largest law firms, many people are asking some version of this difficult question." (New York Law Journal) https://lnkd.in/e_XYmNSd #legaljobs #lawjobs #legalindustry #diversityinlaw

In one of our most popular recent posts, Kelley Drye attorneys Barbara Hoey and Patrick Soundy explore the evolving landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs following the Supreme Court's decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. As legal challenges continue, employers are left questioning how to navigate DEI initiatives moving forward. Read the full post to learn more about emerging trends, legal cases, and how companies can stay compliant while fostering inclusive workplaces: https://lnkd.in/gtrjmPgp #DEI #DiversityInclusion #LegalUpdates #EmploymentLaw #KelleyDrye #SFFA

Truly DISTURBING data about disparities in our profession, but again- not surprising! Connecticut lawyers, especially our Bar Associations, partners in law firms and Affinity Bars should read this post and pause and think about this disparity. Here is the hard evidence to review. Through more than 10,000 survey responses and 200+ in-depth interviews, American Bar Foundation project identified patterns in how race, class, gender, and law school status conditioned the trajectories of lawyers’ careers, uncovering inequality deeply ingrained within the structures of the profession. Despite the rhetoric of diversity espoused by many firms, research revealed significant disparities in opportunity:  While firms attribute disproportionate exodus of women prior to partnership consideration to family commitments, After the JD revealed that all women—even those without children—experience a gendered wage gap at all stages of their careers and leave when they feel they have maxed out their potential.   People of color, particularly African Americans and Native Americans, face discrimination, alienation, and a lack of effective mentorship, leading to their exclusion from the field. 

Our future is predicated on the development of our attorneys and staff. Our recruiting efforts include engaging not only those in law school but also at earlier stages in the educational track - from high school to graduate programs - to attract and develop future legal professionals. #diversity #equity #inclusion #pipeline #recruiting

Important read on the role pro bono work can play in DEI, engagement, and professional development.

After the Supreme Court's ban on race-based admissions criteria last June, firms faced legal threats, leading many to remove race and gender mentions from diversity fellowship criteria. "Not only did they change their verbiage, but they stepped back from hiring diverse individuals." According to our analysis, following the backlash: 👉 Entry-level diverse hires at the 200 largest firms dropped to 2,049 from 2,371 in 2022. 👉 Lateral hiring fell 23% in 2023, with recruitment of diverse hires from rival firms dropping even more—31%. Leopard Solutions Founder and CEO Laura Leopard stressed in the recent Bloomberg Law article that the 2023 data should be a wake-up call for Big Law. Read: https://lnkd.in/en4nPAcc Leopard Solutions stands out as the sole data solution offering analysis of a firm's diversity probability index. With Leopard BI (Business Intelligence), you can assess a firm's diversity and compare it to top competitors. Learn more and request a demo: https://lnkd.in/e8nRqkKe

It’s official—I will be a guest lecturer for Anne Marie Hakstian’s Employment Law class at Salem State University on October 15th! 🎓📚 I’m honored to return to her classroom and share insights on topics such as implicit bias, intersectionality, equity vs. equality, etc., and how they relate to employment law. This opportunity means so much to me as I continue my journey in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). I can’t wait to engage with the students and contribute to their understanding of these important issues! 🙌🏽 #GuestLecturer #EmploymentLaw #DEI #Intersectionality #SalemState #Grateful #LifelongLearning

Law firms are actively defending diversity efforts after conservative attacks and a slowing economy threaten gains. The push comes as firms try to maintain diversity gains they made after the national outcry over the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May 2020. Numbers of women and people of color grew among associate classes as firms pushed to hire attorneys from underrepresented groups. But after the Supreme Court struck down race-based criteria for admissions in higher education last June, firms received letters from congressional leaders and state attorneys general threatening legal action. Read deeper into DEI in legal here: https://lnkd.in/en4nPAcc #hiring #DEIB #diversityequityinclusionbelonging #diversityrecruiting #hersishiring #HERSadvisors #recruitmentredefined #DEI

Constangy partners Cara Crotty and Robin E. Shea examine the impact of recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings on workplace DEI policies. Their article dives into litigation risks, offering practical guidance for employers. Explore more through the link below. #DEI #SCOTUS #EmploymentLaw

How far #lawfirms have come in the recruitment, retention and progression of colleagues from diverse backgrounds is the subject of much debate. And so it should be. The good news, as our latest report has found, is that the picture of ethnic minority representation in law firms is changing. There is, of course, room for improvement, so the report identifies tools to help and offers five key recommendations to help drive ethnic diversity within and across the #legal sector. Our thanks go to Herbert Smith Freehills' Faria Ali for authoring the report and to Reed Smith LLP's Olivia Grant, Ashurst's Ramesh Pani and Hogan Lovells' Sengova Kailondo for their unwavering support bringing this much-needed report from concept to reality. Learn about the progress made and the steps that can lead to further progress. https://lnkd.in/e7i4_ab5 #diversityandinclusion #lawcareers #lawyerslife #NOTICEDiversity