In this episode, host Sean Martin and his panel of legal experts including Vic Alexander, CPA; Trudy Bloodworth, attorney; and Devon Williamson, attorney discuss various aspects of the legal profession, including forensic accounting, personal injury law, and the challenges faced by female lawyers. They explore the emotional dynamics of client interactions, the impact of COVID-19 on client expectations, and the importance of work-life balance. The panelists share insights on diversity in legal teams and the necessity of supporting women in the profession. They conclude with practical advice for legal practitioners and reflections on their experiences in the field.

Sean Martin welcomes back longtime friend and attorney Tripp Fried for a deep dive into the legal and cultural landscape of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), its corporate implications, and how it intersects with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Broadcasting from the Clearly Legal Studio in a Nashville basement, Sean and Tripp revisit the DEI conversation that sparked engagement in a prior episode and take it a step further with analysis of the recent Supreme Court decision in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services.

Topics Covered:

• The origins and evolution of DEI—from Affirmative Action to corporate HR policies
• Historical context: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title VII
• Legal conflict: When corporate DEI goals clash with anti-discrimination laws
• HR headaches: How well-intentioned inclusion policies can create legal exposure
• The Rooney Rule explained and its parallels to affirmative action
• Risks of putting DEI policies in writing in employee handbooks
• Deep dive into Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services
  • Background of the case: White woman alleges she was passed over for promotion in favor of less-qualified LGBTQ+ individuals
  • Legal issue: Whether members of a majority group must meet a heightened burden to prove discrimination under Title VII
  • Supreme Court ruling: Unanimous decision rejecting the "heightened burden" standard—everyone is protected equally under the law
  • Justice Jackson’s concise and unequivocal opinion, with concurrence from Justice Thomas

Key Takeaways:

• Corporate DEI messaging often originates from marketing and HR, but it must still align with anti-discrimination laws
• Courts are reasserting that Title VII protects everyone—majority or minority group alike
• Intentions don’t matter if policies or practices create the appearance (or legal basis) of discrimination
• Written DEI statements in employee handbooks can backfire if they imply preference by identity over merit
• The Ames case is a landmark clarification that may reshape how employers structure DEI programs moving forward

Who Should Listen:

• HR professionals and in-house counsel
• Business owners navigating inclusive hiring
• Employment law practitioners and SCOTUS watchers
• Anyone trying to understand DEI beyond the headlines

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Guest: Trippe Fried
Hosts: Sean Martin & Joel Serber

Listen now to a lively and practical conversation with Tripp Fried, a New York-based business attorney and general counsel with deep roots in Nashville. Tripp joins Sean and Joel to unpack the legal realities of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and what lawyers really need to know when advising clients or crafting policies—without falling into the trap of culture wars or unnecessary legal exposure.

From his experience with startups and corporate clients, Tripp breaks down:

• The legal vs. cultural meanings of DEI
• Why Title VII is the framework that matters—not social trends
• The real risks of writing DEI policies into handbooks
• How to help clients avoid discrimination claims without losing their values
• The high cost (and often low payoff) of discrimination lawsuits
• What every lawyer should be telling their business clients before they get sued

The trio also shares stories from their early days of lawyering, lessons learned the hard way, and a few courtroom laughs along the way. No dry sandwiches, no boring panels—just sharp legal talk, bad soundboard jokes, and solid CLE-level insights.

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Sean Martin, Joel Surber, Garret Asher