For Immediate Release
February 8, 2016
Contact: Kate Coscarelli
Senior Managing Director Communications
732-937-7548
The state’s largest lawyers group will host a gathering this week meant to help the legal profession find pathways to move forward on the pressing issues surrounding diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
The theme of the sixth annual Diversity Summit is “Becoming One in Our Legal Profession.”
On Feb. 10, starting at 9 a.m., representatives from the legal world and business sector will meet for a frank discussion about why diversity and inclusion matter and what is essential for all legal professionals to know about how to work with diverse clients.
“Diversity is a journey, not a destination. A journey implies action. It implies movement. This summit is a part of the important conversations and dialogue necessary to chart the path forward toward the goal of a more inclusive profession,” said NJSBA President Miles S. Winder III. “To be certain, the legal profession is moving in the right direction. But it has been a very slow journey. We look forward to what we hope will be an opportunity to bring a true cross-section of the legal community together to discuss areas of mutual concern. When these conversations are open and honest they have the power to make meaningful change.”
This year’s conference will focus on ways to recognize and overcome bias; the relevance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace; how to jump-start a sustainable diversity program, and how embracing diversity can be a benefit to personal and business relationships.
The speakers will include Elizabeth Williams-Riley, the president and CEO of the American Conference on Diversity; Robert Grey, a former president of the American Bar Association; Acting Attorney General John Hoffman; former NJSBA President Karol Corbin Walker; Brian Doran, the general counsel of Investors Bank, and many other legal scholars, representatives of the New Jersey Judiciary and leaders in the business and legal fields.
The summit will be held at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick.