Legal Academy on Equity and Inclusion

The Legal Academy focuses on elimination of bias and excellence in the legal industry by challenging the status quo and holding each other accountable to create equity in law.

The two main topics are (1) diversity and inclusion in the pipeline, and (2) equity in the workplace.

Thank you to those of you who joined us for the first Academy held at NetApp on Monday, February 24. View event images.

Are you a champion of equity and inclusion in the legal industry? Join the conversation online with Mighty Networks. Stay tuned and sign-up here to receive updates from Spark Plug Labs.

The Legal Academy is always learning and growing with opportunities to transform the legal industry. We are planning new opportunities to create a thriving legal culture. The 2022 Strategic Planning Committee includes:

• Ben Wilson, former Chairman of Beveridge & Diamond, American Lawyer Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and founder of the Diverse Lawyers Network

• Connie Brenton, Chief of Staff and VP, Strategy, Technology and Operations at NetApp, founder of the Community of Legal Interns, and founder and former CEO of CLOC (Corporate Legal Operations Consortium)

• Carolyn Herzog, Award-winning General Counsel, High Integrity C-Suite Technology Executive (Fortune 500 / FTSE 100) - General Counsel - Board Advisor/Director, previously EVP and GC of Arm and Chief Compliance Officer, VP and Deputy General Counsel at Symantec Corporation

The Legal Academy formally recognizes the integration of DEIB and well-being and mental health. Without health thriving cultures and above the line leadership, we won’t have space for inclusion. We continue to take action to advance opportunities for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, Mental Health, and Well-being.

Please stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to collaborate with us in this space.

Increase Well-Being across the Industry

The Legal Leaders Community on Mental Health and Well-being is a group of leaders across the legal industry including in-house counsel, law firm partners, academics, and legal tech innovators. We came up with some action items for both firms and individuals that will lead to better organizational culture:

§  Learn how to set boundaries and teach others in the organization how to do the same.

§  Create clear communication around deadlines.

§  Transition away from 24/7 availability. Develop a clear understanding between client and outside counsel; practice delegating.

§  Co-create the working relationship.

§  See each person as a person, first.

§  Develop psychological safety.

§  Practice mental fitness.

§  Practice self-awareness and acceptance.

§  Let go of the idea of being perfect.

§  Establish a reasonable number of hours to work each day and stick to it.

§  Change what we measure. Prioritize inclusion and well-being metrics.

§  Reward the behavior you want see. Leave no room for jerks.