“It’s not a lack of ambition. I think it’s the idea — What are the environments we’re in? Do I look up the ladder and see people who look like me? Is the organization investing in me? Can I be human at work?”
Alliance President & CEO Manar Morales weighs in on Gen Z Women and Partnership in this Law360 article, Gen Z Women are Shunning Big Law Partnership. Here’s Why.
Alliance President & CEO, Manar Morales, was asked to share her perspective on how to mitigate proximity bias in law firms in a June 27 Law360 article entitled Data Hints At Link Between Proximity Bias, Sex Discrimination.
“Hybrid doesn’t work by default, it works by design…You have to be intentional about designing the systems, the structures, the policies, the practices to make sure people aren’t disadvantaged based on where they work.” – Manar Morales
If you need help addressing proximity bias in your organization, contact Manar Morales to set up a call.
Don’t miss listening to Episode 23 of The Path to Well-Being in Law podcast featuring Alliance President & CEO, Manar Morales. Manar speaks with hosts Chris and Bree about the intersection of diversity, flexibility, and well-being.
Phil Neuffer, Managing Editor of the ABF Journal asked DFA President & CEO Manar Morales to share her advice on creating a culture of diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. The article, Beyond Statements: How to Build and Maintain a More Diverse & Inclusive Workplace appeared in ABF Journal’s Q1 2021 DE&I Issue.
“Organizations need to look beyond mission statements that include diversity and inclusion and make authentic and tangible commitments towards improvement…I advise leaders to peel back the layers and ask, ‘Well, what exactly are we doing to improve?’ We need to see more concrete actions towards creating cultures that support diversity and inclusivity.”
Manar Morales
Alliance President & CEO
ABF Journal
Read the entire article with more insights from Manar and Michael Bush, CEO, Great Place to Work HERE. The ABF Journal is a magazine for Commercial Finance Professionals.
Episode Title: The Power of Workplace Flexibility
Don’t miss listening to this recent ASAE: Stronger by Association podcast featuring Alliance President & CEO Manar Morales and Charles Moore, Principal of Thrive Street Advisors. Learn why Manar and Charles predict that we won’t return to work as we did pre-pandemic and hear how we’ll all need to adjust to new norms and adapt to people’s different situations/abilities to be part of the modern workforce in 2021.
In Case You Missed It… Check out this April 27 article in Bloomberg Law by Meghan Tribe Virus Crisis Could Be Test of Law Firms’ Diversity Efforts. The article advises that law firms continue their focus on diversity and inclusion efforts to avoid the “massive lawyer layoffs and de-equitization of firm attorneys during the Great Recession, which saw an estimated 10,000 lawyers lose their jobs, overall representation of women and minority lawyers in law firms declined between 2009 and 2010.”
The article reinforces that firms need to commit to the retention of diverse attorneys through mentorships, sponsorships, training and other support mechanisms during and after the crisis, and includes a quote from Alliance President & CEO, Manar Morales.
“As law firms make personnel decisions ranging from layoffs to pay cuts, there’s “all eyes on them right now given what happened in 2008.”
During the COVID-19 international pandemic, we are calling on all member and non-member firms and corporations to double down their diversity and inclusion efforts. It’s critical that organizations pay close attention to who’s getting the projects/assignments and who’s not to ensure that diverse individuals are not being adversely impacted by the crisis. Unconscious bias can easily sneak its way into the decision-making process at this unprecedented time.
Learn more from this Law360 article, Pandemic Could Jeopardize Law Firm Diversity Efforts including a quote from Manar Morales, President & CEO of the Alliance:
Law 360 (January 1, 2020)