INCLUSION, EQUITY & DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE: Best Practices for Implementing a Successful Diversity Program

June 2021 will mark the one-year anniversary of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests that served as a catalyst for conversations on social justice and brought significant changes in the way businesses engage regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion internally and externally.

Please join the Oregon ACC, Littler and McDonald’s as we honor Juneteenth with a discussion on inclusion, equity and diversity in the workplace.  The panel will explore recommended practices for developing and implementing a successful diversity program.Littler is the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management. Portland Shareholder, Megan Crowhurst, will moderate this panel discussion.  Chief Inclusion, Equity & Diversity Officer Paul Bateman is responsible for the strategic direction of the firm’s inclusion, equity and diversity programs and initiatives, including affinity groups, unconscious bias training, social justice initiatives, career advocacy program, and investment for success.  Seattle Shareholder Alyesha Asghar Dotson helps clients create DE&I plans and advises on the risks associated with them.

McDonald’s is one of the world’s leading food service brands, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with more than 36,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries.  Kristen Jones, Director of Legal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Senior Counsel, works closely with McDonald’s Global DEI function and supports the development and execution of the Legal Department’s DEI strategy and initiatives in the U.S. and international markets.  One of her primary initiatives is to focus the in-house legal department’s commitment to increasing diversity for leadership and governance roles, hiring opportunities and outside counsel retention by considering candidate slates of at least 50% women, lawyers of color, LGBTQ+ lawyers and lawyers with disabilities.  Abiman Rajadurai serves as Senior Counsel in the Global Labor & Employment Law Department at McDonald’s Corporation. In this role, he provides insights and advice on a number of the company’s digital and technology initiatives.  He also advises and counsels various business units, as well as human resources, on a host of employment law matters.  Abiman is a member of the legal department’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee as well as its Pro Bono Committee.

All corporate counsel may participate in this online CLE regardless of membership in the ACC.  Littler Mendelson will submit credit hours on behalf of all attendees--please indicate your state bar association at registration.  For attendees in Oregon, the firm will be applying for one "Access to Justice" credit hour with the Oregon State Bar.