Spotlight on Flex – Jami Mills Vibbert

The Spotlight on Flex showcases professionals from member organizations who exemplify personal and professional success while working a flexible schedule. Their stories illustrate the long-term benefits that flexible schedules offer to both individuals and organizations.

This month, we are pleased to share insights from Jami Mills Vibbert, Senior Associate in the New York office of Norton Rose Fulbright.

Jami Mills VibbertDiversity & Flexibility Alliance: How have you made flexibility a priority and a success through your schedule?

Jami Mills Vibbert: After clerking for a federal judge in New Orleans post law school, I started as an associate at the firm (which was then Fulbright & Jaworski LLP) in the New York City office. We lived in New York for two years, and then my husband, a doctor, received a job offer in Philadelphia. I wanted to stay with the firm, but there was no office in Philadelphia. I spoke with Linda Addison (now Managing Partner of Norton Rose Fulbright US), who was at the time the NY office Partner in Charge, and explained my situation. Without hesitation, she made it clear the firm didn’t want to lose me and would work with me to find a suitable arrangement.

That was six years ago. Ever since then, I commute daily from Philadelphia to New York. I’m still on a 100 percent, full time schedule, however, I’m physically in the office from 10 – 5, four days a week. Three hours of those four days are spent on the train, and I formally telecommute one day a week. While some of my colleagues may perceive that I work less hours, that’s not the reality. I just work differently and still bill the same hours as they do. Read more

Action Step – Reducing Bias In Evaluations: Action Steps to Limit the Influence of Bias (Part 2)

The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility.  Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.

REDUCING BIAS IN EVALUATIONS:
ACTION STEPS TO LIMIT THE INFLUENCE OF BIAS (PART 2)

In Part I of this Action Step, we laid out the many ways that unconscious bias can affect evaluations by typically leading to more positive evaluations for white males and more negative evaluations for white females and attorneys of color. These effects explain, in part, the uneven playing field lawyers face and raises obvious concerns for a process we count on to be fair and impartial. So what do we do about it?

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The Business Case for Flexibility: Are You Really Giving Your Clients What They Want?

Consider these questions…Are your clients consistently happy with the attorneys working for them? Have your clients complained about turnover in the firm? Have they taken their business with a departing partner? Have they refused to pay to get a new lawyer up to speed? Read more

Highlights from the Alliance’s 2016 Annual Conference – What An Inspirational Day!

In case you missed our 2016 Annual Conference, here’s a rundown of some of the highlights of the day…

Partner-in-Charge of the DC office for Jones Day, Kevyn Orr, set the inspirational tone for the day by sharing his moving story of how he was literally born into segregation after his mother was refused medical care at the hospital when he was born. Now as the Partner-in-Charge of a major law firm, he is “living the American Dream” but always remembers to reach out and help others in his quest for diversity and inclusion. Read more

The First Step to Gender Diversity: Do the Math

Last month we welcomed more than 130 attorneys and corporate executives at our 2016 Annual Conference, Diversity + Flexibility = Talent Success. The day was filled with inspirational stories, sound advice, lessons learned, and expert guidance for organizations looking to improve their diversity and flexibility policies.

As we reflect on the successes of the day, we are proud to have had such a diverse group of participants, including general counsel, law firm chairs, diversity directors, and other leaders in the legal field come together to discuss the importance of having a diverse team and the value in having women in leadership positions. While the mindset of the legal community is clearly evolving, there are still many obstacles to overcome before we can truly say women have equal seats at the table. Read more

Investing In Your Success: Preparing Yourself For Sponsorship

April 2016

Featuring — Ritu Bhasin, LL.B., MBA, Principal & Founder, bhasin consulting inc.

Are you ready to be sponsored and be a sponsor? Sponsorship is a highly effective approach to advancing career development. It’s more than just mentoring or a passive relationship – it’s an investment relationship that requires winning the confidence of others and building and sustaining relationship capital. In this session, global inclusion specialist Ritu Bhasin will discuss key strategies and tools for becoming “sponsor-ready” from the individual and organizational perspectives.