The Value of Law and Diversity: The BIPOC Attorney’s Path and Pitfalls to Solo & Small Firm Practice

Originally held on Thursday, May 27, 2021 | 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Program Chair:
Nydia Shahjahan
Nydia Shahjahan, Esq., P.C.

• Description
• Faculty
• Agenda
• CLE Credit
• Sponsors

• This program will explore the practical impact of implicit and explicit bias, diversity and inclusion initiatives in the legal profession and sensitivity to cultural and other differences on attorney retention from experienced BIPOC attorneys who have transitioned to solo and small law firm practices and the ways that DEI issues continue to impact their current practice. The program will also provide concrete recommendations for how the legal profession, including small law firms and solo practitioners, can promote diversity, inclusion, and equity, both within their ranks and through their interactions with clients and other parties in the legal system.

  Program Fee:
  Free for Members | $99 for Nonmembers

• Joam Alisme
  Alisme Law LLC

  Femi Disu-Oakley
  Planned Parenthood of Greater New York

  Christopher Q. Davis
  Law Office of Christopher Q. Davis

  Carl Forbes, Jr.
  Carl Forbes Jr. Law Firm PLLC

  Roosevelt Jean
  Law Offices of Roosevelt Jean

  Nydia Shahjahan
  Nydia Shahjahan, Esq., P.C.

• 6:00 pm – 6:10 pm
  Introductory Remarks and Overview

  6:10 pm – 7:20 pm
  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (or lack thereof) and the Impact on BIPOC Attorney Retention at Larger Legal Organizations and Law Firms:

  • Implicit/Unconscious Bias
  • Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives in the Legal Profession
  • Sensitivity to cultural and other differences

  7:20 pm – 8:20 pm
  Tools to Promote Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity:

  • As Employer: Tool adaptability to Small Law Firms and Solo Practitioners.
  • As Attorney: Clients, other parties in the legal system, and the Court

  8:20 pm – 8:30 pm
  Questions and Answers

• New York: 2.5 Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias
  New Jersey: 2.8 Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias
  California: 2.0 Elimination of Bias
  Pennsylvania: 2.0 Professional Responsibility
  Connecticut: Available to Licensed Attorneys

  Newly admitted New York attorneys (attorneys admitted to the New York State Bar for two years or less) cannot earn CLE credit in the category of Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias.

• Sponsoring Association Committees:
  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Matthew E. Morningstar & Robert A. Marchman, Co-Chairs
  Small Law Firms, Anne Wolfson, Chair

  Co-Sponsoring Organizations:
  Office for Diversity and Inclusion
  Small Law Firm Center

  Sponsorship Opportunities are Available! Please Contact:
  Angie Avila, Manager, Membership Outreach and Sponsorships | (212) 382-6608 | aavila@nycbar.org