Conclaves on Diversity In The Legal Profession

For the last three years, the LSBA has convened a Conclave on Diversity in the Legal Profession. The LSBA chose to host a "conclave" rather than a "meeting" because a conclave signifies "an assembly or gathering, especially one that has special authority, power, or influence." See dictionary.com. The purpose of the conclave is to encourage discussion among judges and attorneys, primarily hiring and managing attorneys within law firms and law departments, about the importance of diversity within the legal profession and how to improve diversity within the profession in Louisiana. The LSBA has hosted the conclaves with the Louisiana Supreme Court and several local and specialty bar associations.

The first conclave, "Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, Making Cents" on March 7, 2008, began a discussion among 120 attorneys regarding racial, ethnic, gender, and generational diversity. The highly credentialed speakers provoked discussions regarding the importance of diversity, educated on ways to improve diversity, and exposed how internal personal and organizational biases impede diversity.

Held March 13, 2009, the second annual Conclave on Diversity in the Legal Profession: "Continuing the Conversation" continued the diversity discussion. The second Conclave did not simply regurgitate information provided during the first program. The program was more interactive and allowed the participants to gain skills to address everyday diversity issues in their practices during a three-hour workshop. After a networking lunch, participants received practical information from two groups of panelists.

The LSBA held its third annual Conclave on Diversity, titled "The Professional Workplace: Diagnosing the Issues and Finding the Cure," on March 5, 2010, for an audience of approximately 170 participants. This Conclave was even more interactive and allowed participants to gain tangible skills to address everyday diversity issues in their offices and in their practices. During a three-hour morning workshop, highly credentialed instructors facilitated exercises to make participants culturally aware and skillful in cross-cultural situations. Participants learned the difference between diversity and inclusion, gained an understanding of the diversity challenge (i.e., that differences matter especially those that do not matter to you but matter to someone else), and received tools to develop a cultural competency compass. During a networking lunch, Lt. General Russel L. Honorè, USA (Ret.), the keynote speaker mesmerized participants with the impact of diversity on Louisiana history and children. The program culminated with two practical panel discussions that allowed participants to examine the use of cultural competence tools in every day legal practice.

The next Conclave, scheduled for March 18, 2011 at the New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center, will build upon the conversations that have already occurred.

View the report from the 2008 Conclave HERE.

View Pictures from the 2009 Conclave HERE.