The fight to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion has deep historical roots, marked by significant milestones and challenges, from the Civil Rights era to present-day initiatives, including the recent Supreme Court decision on affirmative action. Robert J. Grey Jr., President of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) and former President of the American Bar Association, has witnessed several pivotal moments in this ongoing battle. His experiences growing up during these transformative times have profoundly influenced his career and dedication to both leadership and advancing diversity in the legal profession.

In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, Robert delves into his impactful career and the current state of diversity in law and society. He discusses the vital work of LCLD, the importance of mentorship, and the lessons learned from career successes and setbacks. Robert shares his insights on what it takes to continue moving forward and build a legacy that inspires.

1:36 - Aspects of a successful personal brand, how Robert defines his brand, and his favorite quote and hype song

9:20 - How his upbringing and schooling impacted Robert’s brand and career

17:43 - What Robert learned about himself in not winning the 2008 Richmond mayoral race

21:07 - What the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity is and why it’s important

26:32 - Robert’s insights into the state of diversity in the country and the legal profession

32:34 - A broader concept of mentorship and how it can be critical to your brand

37:03 - How Robert made jury improvement and preservation his focus as American Bar Association president

43:07 - The legacy Robert hopes to leave behind and what he does for fun

49:39 - The inflection point confronting us right now and why persistence is so critical

Mentioned In Building a Legacy: Insights on Leadership and Diversity in the Law with Robert Grey Jr.

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) | X/Twitter

American Bar Association

Legal Services Corporation

Sponsor for this episode

This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.

PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.

To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at [email protected], and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

We're starting off 2026 with a bang with my New Year's Intention and Goal Setting session on January 3rd, and then my new three-part series, LinkedIn Strategy for Lawyers: Build a Brand that Works for You, running January through March. 

Reserve your seat at paulaedgar.com/events.