Diversity in action : a manual for diversity professionals in law

Diversity in Action: A Manual for Diversity Professionals in Law is designed as a resource and educational tool for those performing diversity roles in law firms and corporate legal departments. It is a step by step guide to developing, implementing, and managing the functions of diversity and inclusion in an institutional setting. With this manual, you will be able to evaluate and effectively support the way your organization approaches diversity and inclusion initiatives. Divided into nineteen chapters, this comprehensive guide includes: Creating strategic alliances; Developing and measuring effectiveness of programs; Establishing short term and long term projects for change; and Promoting a sustained focus on diversity and inclusion resources in your organization. This user-friendly guide byTheresa D. Cropper and Anna L. Brownis written toassist anyone involved in diversity work. With more than 75+ years of combined experience, industry insiders provide the tools necessary for the diversity initiatives to run smoothly in your law firm or corporation."

• Acknowledgments p. iii
• Introduction p. xiii
• Chapter 1 Strategic Planning p. 1
• Overview p. 1
• What Is Strategic and What Is Tactical? p. 1
• Strategic Plan for the Organization p. 4
• Strategic Plan for the Department or Diversity Committee p. 7
• Personal Strategy Plan p. 10
• Chapter 2 Where Does the Buck Stop? Accountability p. 15
• Overview p. 15
• Accountability p. 15
• Communication with the Highest Administrative Office p. 16
• Communication with Firm and Department Leaders p. 16
• Communication with the Diversity Committee or Council p. 17
• Chapter 3 Finding the Opportunity and Taking Charge p. 21
• Overview p. 21
• Episodic Opportunities p. 21
• Opportunity and Crisis Management p. 22
• Engagement at Regular Meetings p. 22
• Recurring Events p. 23
• Chapter 4 Structure, Budget, and Brand p. 25
• Overview p. 25
• Structure p. 27
• Diversity Titles p. 27
• Diversity Department/Function p. 28
• Responsibilities p. 30
• Data Management p. 30
• Surveys p. 32
• Diversity Committee and Affinity Group/Inclusion Network Support p. 33
• Programs p. 34
• Retreats p. 35
• Sponsorships p. 35
• Budgeting p. 36
• Potential Line Items in the Diversity Budget p. 37
• Branding p. 38
• Communication between the Client and Law Firm p. 39
• Chapter 5 Communications for the Diversity Professional p. 45
• Overview p. 45
• Know Your Audience p. 46
• Ensure All Communications Have Consistent Themes p. 46
• Verify the Accuracy of the Data p. 46
• Determine Why You Are Communicating p. 47
• Internal Communications p. 47
• External Communications p. 48
• Five Important Points Regarding Communication of the Diversity Initiative p. 48
• Working with Your Marketing Department p. 51
• Chapter 6 Inside the Organization: Beware of the Silos p. 53
• Overview p. 53
• Information Technology p. 53
• Human Resources and Finance p. 54
• Compensation Committee p. 54
• Marketing and Communications p. 54
• Recruitment p. 55
• Professional Development p. 55
• Evaluation, Development, and Talent Management p. 56
• Chapter 7 Comprehensive Recruitment p. 59
• Overview p. 59
• Recruiting Strategy p. 60
• On-Campus Recruiting: A Grassroots Approach p. 63
• Diversity Job Fairs p. 66
• Diversity Scholarships p. 66
• School Considerations p. 67
• Spring Recruitment p. 69
• Lateral Recruiting p. 71
• Chapter 8 Reaching Outside the Organization p. 81
• Overview p. 81
• Getting Started p. 82
• Bar Associations p. 83
• Nonprofit Legal-Related Organizations p. 83
• Community Organizations p. 84
• Pro Bono Service Organizations p. 84
• Clients and Corporations p. 85
• Existing Organizational Systems p. 87
• Chapter 9 Professional Development and Retention p. 89
• Overview p. 89
• Exit Surveys p. 90
• Using an Outside Consultant for Exit Surveys p. 91
• Attorney Evaluations p. 92
• Evaluation Process p. 93
• What Is the Review Process? p. 93
• Who Is Involved? p. 94
• How Is the Information Collected? p. 94
• Who Receives and Processes the Information? p. 94
• How Are Decisions Made? p. 94
• What Are All Possible Outcomes? p. 95
• What Delivers the Information? p. 95
• What Are the Possible Responses and Is There an Appellate Process? p. 95
• Promotion Process p. 96
• What Are the Steps of Progression? p. 96
• What Is the Process for Movement from One Step to the Next? p. 97
• What Is Required for Each Step? p. 97
• What Is the Decision-Making Process? p. 97
• Who Is Involved? p. 97
• How Are Decisions Influenced? p. 98
• Who Communicates the Decisions? p. 98
• Attorney Development Programming p. 99
• Evaluation Programming p. 101
• Chapter 10 Affinity/Employee Resource Groups p. 105
• Overview p. 105
• The Business Case p. 106
• Group Benefits to Organization and Members p. 107
• Where to Start: Strategic Planning p. 107
• Group Structure p. 109
• Getting the Most from the Group p. 111
• Programming p. 112
• Religious and Political Groups p. 113
• Chapter 11 Diversity Program Planning p. 115
• Overview p. 115
• Getting Started with the Program p. 115
• Sample Toolkit p. 118
• Quarterly Round-table p. 118
• Recommendations for the Planning Committee p. 118
• Budget p. 119
• Logistics p. 119
• Marketing and Promotion p. 119
• Day of Event p. 119
• Post-Event Debriefing p. 119
• Timeline p. 119
• Logistics Checklist p. 120
• Marketing and Promotion Checklist p. 120
• Day of Checklist p. 120
• Wrap- Up and Evaluation Checklist p. 120
• Quarterly Roundtable Discussions Budget p. 121
• Chapter 12 Consultants and Speakers p. 123
• Overview p. 123
• Why Do You Need a Consultant? p. 125
• How Do You Identify a Consultant? p. 125
• How Do You Select a Consultant? p. 125
• How Do You Get the Most Return on Investment from a Consultant? p. 126
• How Do You Get the Best Performance from a Consultant? p. 127
• Could There Be Mutual Development? p. 127
• Chapter 13 Retreats p. 131
• Overview p. 131
• Where to Start p. 132
• Should We Have a Retreat? p. 132
• Who Is Invited and Why? p. 136
• Soliciting Input p. 138
• Retreat Leadership Structure p. 140
• Large Input Solicitation Committee/Smaller Advisory Group/Small Pragmatic Decision Makers p. 140
• Large Input Solicitation Committee/Large Advisory Group/Smaller Pragmatic Decision Maker or Diversity Professional p. 141
• Large Advisory Group/Key Leaders and Diversity Professional p. 141
• Key Firm Leaders/Input and Solicitation Collective or Professional p. 142
• Assessment of Needs p. 142
• Education p. 143
• Agenda p. 144
• Theme p. 145
• Execution p. 145
• Follow-Up p. 146
• Chapter 14 Metrics: The Measure of Success p. 149
• Overview p. 149
• The Mechanics of Data p. 150
• Monthly Data Recommendations p. 151
• Quarterly Data Recommendations p. 152
• Annual Data Recommendations p. 152
• Additional Questions to Consider p. 153
• The Value of Data p. 154
• The Publication and Use of Data p. 157
• How Data Can Play a Critical Role p. 158
• Chapter 15 Going Global p. 161
• Overview p. 161
• How to Get Started p. 162
• Listen p. 163
• Find a Champion p. 163
• Develop a List of Objectives and Goals p. 163
• Execute the Plan p. 164
• Identify Local Experts p. 164
• Communication and Continuity p. 164
• Chapter 16 Supplier Diversity p. 167
• Overview p. 167
• Questions to Ask When Considering a Supplier Diversity Program p. 171
• Possible Areas in Which to Consider Supplier Diversity p. 172
• Chapter 17 Social Media Meets Diversity p. 173
• Overview p. 173
• Getting Started p. 173
• Ongoing Commitment p. 175
• Chapter 18 Diversity Fatigue p. 177
• Overview p. 177
• Chapter 19 Conclusion p. 181
• Index p. 185