IBA Annual Conference Paris 2023
29 Oct - 3 Nov 2023
Room 351, Level 3
Session information
Creating and implementing a diversity and inclusion strategy for the law firm
Tuesday 31 October (1115 - 1230)
Room 351, Level 3
Committee(s)
European Regional Forum
(Lead)
IBA Diversity & Inclusion Council
IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit
LGBTQI+ Law Committee
Women Lawyers' Committee
Description
Law firm leaders, in-house counsels and D&I experts will lead a discussion on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and on the opportunity (or not) of designing and implementing diversity and inclusion policies in law firms. The IBA project consisting in drafting of a global D&I toolkit for law firms of different sizes across the various jurisdictions will be presented.
After a brief overview of the key elements of the IBA D&I toolkit, a discussion will be encouraged on the following topics: (i) the main challenges that law firms may face when implementing diversity and inclusion policies, (ii) how law firms can ensure that diversity and inclusion is not just a checkbox exercise, but rather a true commitment to creating a more equitable workplace, (iii) what steps law firms can take to guarantee that diversity and inclusion remains a priority in their organization, (iv) how law firms can "sell” their diversity and inclusion efforts to clients, and what benefits this can bring to them.
Session / Workshop Chair(s)
| Delia Mensitieri | Nitrodi Consulting, Brussels, Belgium |
Speakers
| Masako Banno | Okuno & Partners, Tokyo, Japan; Co-Chair, IBA Diversity & Inclusion Council |
| Stephen Bowman | Bennett Jones LLP, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Co-Chair, Future of Legal Services Commission |
| Steeves Bujold | McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Website Officer, LGBTQI+ Law Committee |
| Sara Carnegie | International Bar Association, London, England; Member, IBA Diversity & Inclusion Council |
| Remy Choo | RCL Chambers Law Corporation, Singapore, Singapore; Co-Vice Chair , LGBTQI+ Law Committee |
| Melissa Davis | MD Communications, London, England |
| Andrea Dermody | DERMODY, Dublin, Ireland |
| József Fenyvesi | Oppenheim Ugyvedi Iroda, Budapest, Hungary |
| Aniko Keller | Szecskay Attorneys at Law, Budapest, Hungary |
| Pavla Kopeckova Prikrylova | PETERKA & PARTNERS , Prague, Czech Republic; Vice Chair, Diversity and Inclusion Group, European Regional Forum |
| Ama Ocansey | BNP Paribas, London, England |
| Alessia Oddone Wales | CastaldiPartners, Milan, Italy |
| Olufunmi Oluyede | TRLPLAW Solicitors, Lagos, Nigeria; Member, Women Lawyers' Committee Advisory Board |
| Annalisa Reale | Chiomenti Studio Legale, Milan, Italy; Secretary, Women Lawyers' Committee |
| Rafhael Romero Bentos | Mattos Filho, São Paulo, Brazil; Secretary-Treasurer, LGBTQI+ Law Committee |
| Antonia Verna | Portolano Cavallo, Milan, Italy; Member, IBA Diversity & Inclusion Council |
| Christopher Watson | CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang, London, England; Co-Chair, IBA Diversity & Inclusion Council |
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