| One of the
important goals
of The Association of Legal Administrators is to
"increase the sensitivity to cultural diversity in the
association and in the legal management community." Utilizing
this goal, the Columbus Chapter has developed a plan that
complements our local bar association's diversity
initiative. |
 |
DIVERSITY
COMMITTEE
The
Columbus Chapter Diversity Committee is chaired by Betsy Wetherby of
Bricker & Eckler LLP, and includes Jane Lagusch of Arter &
Hadden; Laura Livesay of Thompson Hine; Marty Eisenbarth of Bricker
& Eckler LLP; and Annette Hudson-Clay, Diversity Coordinator of
the Columbus Bar Association.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to be
celebrated on Monday, January 18th
We will celebrate this month on January 18th Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day - a date that is observed on the third Monday of
January each year, around the time of King's birthday, January
15th. While the majority of law firms do not designate the
date as a firm-paid holiday, the federal holiday nonetheless
presents a timely opportunity to celebrate what Rev. Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. stood for. An organization that values
difference is an organization that encourages its members to
explore the complexities that are central to personal development
and professional growth. Matters of race, ethnicity, and
gender are not always easy to confront. But they must be
confronted for issues concerning them are critical to the health
of our organizations and the well-being of society at large.
Being affiliated with a diverse workplace enriches us all.
An acknowledgement of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day provides us with
the opportunity to recognize and celebrate that fact.
If you are among the law firms that remain open on the MLK
holiday, I encourage you to find a means to spotlight the date as
a reminder of your firm's commitment to inclusion and respect for
the many differences that define your workplaces. You can do
this by pointing attention to area MLK celebrations, offering a
brown-bag that addresses a topic that has a diversity-connection,
inviting an area ethnic restaurant to visit your workplace and
offer a limited lunch menu, or acknowledging through a regular
company communication (such as an internal newsletter) your
commitment to diversity. Further consideration for the
future is establishing a variable holiday - a paid holiday that
can be selected based on an employee's personal preference.
You demonstrate support of the diverse interests of your workforce
by allowing employees to designate a date of their choosing for
one of your firm's paid holidays. Establishing a variable
holiday allows you to be responsive to the needs of your clients
and remain open for an additional business day, while considering
the individual preferences of your employees.
As we begin the new year, be aware of opportunities to
celebrate the richness of your workforce. A timely start is
reminding of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
PAST
DIVERSITY COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
A
diversity awareness seminar was held Thursday, May 16, 2002, from
1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Columbus Bar Association (CBA). The seminar
was open to
all Columbus Chapter members and guests from member law firms, as well
as CBA staff.
We were
fortunate to have Patrice Baughman Borders, Esq., President of Prevention Strategies LLC in Cincinnati, as the speaker for
the diversity seminar. Ms. Borders' is a frequent speaker, facilitator, and trainer on
the topic of workplace issues, specifically preventing sexual
harassment and the topic of workplace diversity.
The diversity seminar
was co-sponsored by the CBA and the Columbus Chapter of ALA.
DIVERSITY
EFFORTS IN CENTRAL OHIO'S LEGAL COMMUNITY
The managing partners of
the twenty largest firms in Columbus, Ohio, have been meeting with the Columbus
Bar Association on a regular basis to establish ways in which to
promote diversity in the legal profession. Since those firms are also
represented by members of the Columbus Chapter, it only seemed natural
that the Columbus Chapter of ALA get involved. Our program will
support the efforts of the Columbus Bar Association's initiative and
will prepare us as administrators to implement practices through
awareness and educational programs.
The
Diversity Committee received
approval of the chapter's application for a grant from the Foundation for the
Association of Legal Administrators (FALA) to assist in providing
diversity awareness training and diversity train-the-trainer
instruction, or a diversity workshop program. (These funds are
available to ALA chapters to encourage development of innovative
projects.) The grant allows the Columbus Chapter to achieve the
following goals, some of which have been completed, and others that
are already in progress:
-
arranging
for a speaker knowledgeable in diversity to speak at a monthly ALA
meeting concerning the efforts of the Columbus Bar Association and
its Diversity Initiative;
-
conducting a diversity
awareness seminar;
-
providing
the Columbus Chapter members with resource materials regarding
workplace diversity;
-
conducting
a workshop on developing a diversity initiative within a Columbus
law firm; and
-
developing
a plan to recruit minority legal administrators to the Columbus
Chapter of ALA.
If any
Columbus Chapter members would like to join the Diversity Initiative
Committee, please contact Betsy
Wetherby at 614.227.8840.
We are excited to
develop our program in Central Ohio!
