Moderator, New Jersey State Bar Association (ICLE) Corporate Counsel Institute, "Diversity Equity and Inclusion: Erasing Tension Between Social Obligation and the Bottom Line"

It’s no secret that there is tension between doing the right thing for the right reasons in the DE&I context and avoiding inappropriate bias. Put another way, how do we recognize the value of diversity without appearing biased and risking litigation? What will convince law firms that DE&I is not a marketing ploy or simple favoritism but rather a business initiative for financial success?

Most are aware of “The Harvard Case” concerning race conscious admissions. Many of us await what the Supreme Court of the United States will do next and worry that the other shoe will drop within the corporate context.

In this panel discussion including experts with a variety of backgrounds and professional disciplines, we will recognize this tension as we sit on the precipice, as usual, of equity. We will seek to demystify what the goal of DE&I and hopefully to expand our attendees’ understanding of how deep and wide the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion can reach within the corporate sphere.

DEI is so much more than just acquiring the right talent. It is a product production plan, it is a marketing strategy it is a management perspective and to many professionals, it is a way of life.

Is the apparent push back against the diversity, equity and inclusion movement a false cover for racism and other discrimination? To what extent has it become a real concern for the companies that recognize the value in DEI practices in their organizations and how can companies communicate that value to consumers? How do we incorporate best practices for DEI into training, management and internal policy while it appears to constantly change?