The Law in Black and White

In this episode, we were joined by Georgetown Law Dean of Admissions, Andrew Cornblatt, and Diversity Lab founder & CEO, Caren Ulrich Stacy. Listen in as Andy and Caren discuss the current landscape of pipeline programs, and help Bryan and Jon unpack how these programs work, best practices, metrics, and what could be done better.

Two additional pieces of media mentioned in this episode are:

• Podcast Episode: Revisionist History – The Tortoise and the Hare, hosted by Malcolm Gladwell
• Book: Pedigree: How Elite Students Get Elite Jobs, by Lauren A Rivera

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May, we were joined this episode by Jean Lee, President and CEO of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, and Curtis Lu, General Counsel of FTI Consulting. Listen in as Jean and Brenda discuss the unique challenges confronted by AAPI attorneys, the nuances and barriers to representation faced by AAPI individuals in the legal industry, and the complicated work of AAPI and other minority leaders in law when personally and professionally navigating social injustice.

In honor of Stress Awareness Month in April, we were joined this episode by Kendra Brodin, founder and CEO of EsquireWell. Listen in as Bryan and Kendra discuss how extended periods of intense stress can impact one's mental health and wellbeing, how lawyers can better manage and mitigate stress, and how firms can work towards a culture of well-being for their lawyers.

Resources for stress management & wellness:

• Mental Health & Coping with Stress Resources from the CDC
• Coping with Stress: Support for Employees, from the CDC
• Stress and Coping Resources from the CDC
• Stress Management Resources from the American College of Cardiology

Suicide prevention resources:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• Call or text 988 if you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis

This March we are joined by Fiona Hornblower, President and CEO of the NALP Foundation. Listen in as Fiona discusses the current status of the legal pipeline and job market, what the NALP Foundation’s research tells us about the current legal pipeline, and what recommendations exist to address the flaws in the way the legal pipeline currently functions.

You can read more about the research discussed in this podcast episode from the NALP Foundation (hyperlink: https://www.nalpfoundation.org/)

The two studies referenced in this episode are available for purchase online at the NALP Foundation website:

Update on Associate Attrition: Findings from a National Study of Law Firm Associate Hirings and Departures: https://www.nalpfoundation.org/product-page/update-on-associate-attrition-calendar-year-2021

Study of Law School Alumni Employment & Satisfaction: Employment Outcomes Three Years After Graduation, Class of 2018: https://www.nalpfoundation.org/product-page/us-study-of-law-school-alumni-employment-and-satisfaction-class-of-2018

In honor of Black History month, this episode we were joined by guest Dr. Harold Dean Trulear for a discussion examining intertwined topics that affect the Black community: 1) the championing and celebrating of Black-owned businesses, 2) marijuana possession convictions and the stark racial disparities that exist in such arrests, and 3) the growing movement to legalize marijuana nationwide.

In honor of National Mentoring Month in January, this episode features guests Chris Campbell of Baker Hughes, and Bradley Wine of Morrison & Foerster. Chris and Brad joined us for a great conversation on the important role of mentors in the legal industry, the benefits of both being and having a mentor, and some best practices for identifying and approaching potential mentors.

In honor of Native American Heritage month in November, this episode features guest Tasha Fridia, attorney and National Director of Tribal Programs for the nonprofit Friends of the Children. Tasha joined us for a thoughtful conversation on Native American representation in law and how firms can help improve the pipeline for Native American legal talent. Mikeisha Anderson Jones, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Milbank LLP, joined us to offer added insight on the topic at the end of the episode.

Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month with us. This episode features Haley Moss, neurodiversity expert, attorney, advocate, author and thought leader, as we discuss neurodiversity in the legal industry and how employers can be more inclusive.

In honor of Juneteenth, we discussed the history and legacy of the holiday with Dr. Renee Harrison, professor of African American and U.S. Religious History at Howard. Listen to this episode to hear Dr. Harrison discuss her new book, Black Hands, White House: Slave Labor and the Making of America, which documents and appraises the role enslaved women, men, and children played in building the US and its physical and fiscal infrastructure.