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Diversity is a hot topic and has been for quite some time. In fact, we will continue the discussion at our CounselLink Conference 2022 in San Antonio, Texas, September 14 to 16. Register here.
In the last three years, you have likely engaged in conversations related to diversity at work and even outside of the workplace. At this point, most individuals have a solid understanding of diversity, however, equity and inclusion (DE&I) are often left out. These two additional pillars complete the full DE&I picture, along with the next question of how to implement a program where you work.
What Story Do We Want to Tell?
In 2021, the timely discussion surrounding how to use CounselLink to implement a diversity program was a topic during last year’s Spring CounselLink Conference. You learned about several features that can aid in the diversity work within your legal department. Have you asked yourself what to do with the data once you have it? This is a great question, one that should generate a fair amount of internal discussion and dialog. The objective is to drive change, which creates results.
Are the right questions being asked? Instead of “what do we want to capture?” try questions like:
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- What are our compliance targets?
- Example: “In year 1, we would like to see 70% of our law firm vendors compliant with diversity reporting.”
- How can we see equitable distribution of legal work, as opposed to our firms simply “checking the boxes”?
- Example: “At our company, the goal is to see 20% of Black associates and partners submitting time against litigation work.”
- How do we address pay disparity between associates, partners, and senior partners of different genders and races?
- Example: “We expect to see a wage gap reduction of 15% between White, Black, Asian, and Women associates and partners.”
- What are our compliance targets?
Creating a Powerful Narrative
It’s one task to capture data, but generating a meaningful output reinforces the work and time invested. CounselLink can generate reports based on your individual requirements. With this type of data in hand, you will help generate impactful conversations with your law firms and vendors about their progress toward your DE&I standards. Conversations like those mentioned above may become eye-opening experiences and serve as tools to take with you on the journey toward diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The goal is not to be fast, but to be well intentioned, provide value, and impact change. Clear and concise communication paired with a solid strategy will help you as your team continues pulling in the same direction.
Join us September 14 to 16 at our in-person CounselLink Conference 2022. If your leadership team has expressed an interest in understanding and managing the diversity of your legal teams, CounselLink can help. This session will cover the ways that your CounselLink solution can help you track and report on the diversity of your outside counsel, strategize best practices, and learn which pitfalls to avoid.
If you can’t make it to the CounselLink Conference this year, contact us to help strategize with your team to kickstart these challenging but important discussions.
Jack joined LexisNexis in 2007 on our customer service team in Dayton, Ohio. Moving through the ranks, he landed as a CounselLink Solutions Consultant in Raleigh, NC. Now part of the Professional Services Organization as a Business Consultant, Jack is passionate about solving problems and advocating for our clients. He’s enthusiastic about technology and user experience, too. Jack holds a Master’s in Human Computer Interaction from Wright State University and a green belt in Lean Six Sigma.