Programs & Events

 

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

Upcoming Event -Signature Seminar Series

Sponsorship: A Key to Your Career Advancement

Do you have a sponsor within your firm? If not, are you taking the right steps to find one and to build a successful sponsor relationship? These and other questions will be answered next Tuesday during our latest bi-monthly Signature Seminar Series teleconference, “Investing In Your Success: Preparing Yourself For Sponsorship.” Our special guest, Ritu Bhasin, LL.B., MBA, Founder and Principal of bhasin consulting inc., a leading global people strategies firm, will explain the importance of sponsorship and how it can effectively advance your legal career. Read more

There’s Still Time to Register for the 2016 Annual Conference!

Our 2016 Annual Conference, Diversity + Flexibility = Talent Success, is just days away! It’s not too late to register if you want to learn more about enhancing your firm’s diversity and flexibility initiatives.

As a conference attendee you’ll be inspired to help your firm move to the next level and embrace the benefits of optimizing diverse talent and flexible work options. Read more

Overwhelmed? Come and Hear Brigid Schulte’s Advice on Work-Life Control

Did you know that Americans work among the longest hours of any advanced economy?   And, why do we take fewer vacations than the rest of the world? What can we do to balance productivity and profitability with flexibility and leisure?

Join us at our 2016 Annual Conference to hear from a true expert on these issues, New York Times best-selling author, Brigid Schulte. Ms. Schulte will be our special guest for a fireside chat with Manar Morales, President & CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance at 1:15pm on Wednesday. Read more

Thought-Provoking Panels Are Sure to Stimulate In-Depth Conversations on Diversity and Flexibility at 2016 Annual Conference

Do You Need Help Tearing Down Structural and Cultural Barriers To Diversity?

The third panel at our 2016 Annual Conference (Wednesday, March 16) will focus on steps you can take to interrupt unconscious bias and pave the way for the advancement of diverse talent.

The panel, entitled “Effective Change Management Strategies,” features advice from Carter Phillips, Chair, Sidley Austin LLP; Alice Valder Curran, Regional Managing Partner, Hogan Lovells US LLP; Maurice Watson, Chair, Husch Blackwell LLP; and moderator, Maja Hazell, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, White & Case.

This panel, which runs from 2:15pm-3:15pm, will explore how to combat second generation bias (that is, practices that appear neutral but that reflect the dominance of those who created them) in recruitment, evaluation, and compensation. Read more

Inspiring Panels Designed to Equip You With the Tools to Move Your Firm’s Diversity and Flexibility Efforts Forward

Have you registered for our 2016 Annual Conference yet? Here’s a preview of the first two panels of this year’s event:

Optimizing Talent: A Conversation with Women Law Firm Chairs

Hear how four women law firm chairs are literally changing the face of leadership in the legal profession. Kimberly Leach Johnson, Chair, Quarles & Brady LLP; Deborah Read, Firmwide Managing Partner, Thompson Hine LLP; Lisa (Lee) Schreter, Chair, Littler Mendelson P.C; and, Elizabeth Sharrer, Chair, Holland & Hart LLP will share their personal experiences on their paths to leadership.

You’ll hear about the challenges and opportunities they’ve faced, as well as pivotal decisions they’ve made along the way. They’ll also share how they are personally helping to advance women and retain top talent by mentoring and incorporating diversity and flexibility issues into the culture of their organizations. Read more

Upcoming Event -Signature Seminar Series

More Women Need Seats at the Table

Did you know that women only represent 27% of lawyers arguing civil cases and only 21% of lawyers arguing criminal cases? When you consider that there are close to equal numbers of men and women graduating from law school these percentages are disappointing at best.

If you want to learn more about how we can close the gender gap in the courtroom join us on Thursday, February 18 at 1pm EST for our latest Signature Seminar Series highlighting the new ABA Report, First Chairs at Trial: More Women Need Seats at the Table. Roberta D. Liebenberg, co-author of the report, will highlight the report’s findings and lead the discussion on why more women litigators need a seat at the trial table, and how women can get there. Read more

Upcoming Event -Signature Seminar Series

The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance’s bi-monthly Signature Seminar Series explores a mix of organizational solutions and individual strategies related to inclusion, retention, and workplace flexibility.

There’s no doubt that business development is a key to success.  But how do we avoid the pitfalls of over-extending, over-exhausting, and over-committing ourselves to things all in the name of business development?  Learning to say no is just as important to your personal and professional success.  Listen as Sara Holtz, Founder & CEO of ClientFocus and author of Bringin’ in the Rain, guides us through the art of saying no to take back control of what really matters and enhances our careers.
Read more

Highlights from the Alliance’s 2015 Flex Success™ Leadership Institute

On October 28 & 29, 2015, the Alliance held its second annual Flex Success™ Leadership Institute at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Washington, DC.  The Institute was a success with nationally recognized faculty teaching registrants from top law firms about confidence, business development, sponsorship, negotiation skills, interrupting bias, and developing a leadership plan. Here are some of the highlights: Read more

Upcoming Event -Signature Seminar Series

The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance’s bi-monthly Signature Seminar Series explores a mix of organizational solutions and individual strategies related to inclusion, retention, and workplace flexibility.

Effective pitching is directly related to your bottom line.  Join us as Suzanne Franchetti of Franchetti Communications leads us through the Six Ways to Guarantee Your Pitch Cuts Through the Clutter.  This process, specifically designed for legal and professional services audiences, will provide the missing links to your presentation and media communication efforts. Whether you’re speaking to one person in an informal meeting, a large crowd at an industry event, or preparing to speak with the news media – partners, associates, and corporate legal teams will benefit from these messaging strategies when they need to: Read more