Diversity and Inclusion

CLE:

This webinar is pending for CLE credit in CA, IL, NJ, and NY. Credit will be applied for as requested for TX, GA, WA, NC, FL and VA. The following jurisdictions accept reciprocal credit with these accredited states, and individuals can use the certificate they receive to gain CLE credit therein: AZ, CT, ME, NH. The following jurisdictions do not require CLE, but attendees will receive general certificates of attendance: DC, MA, MD, MI, SD. For all other jurisdictions, a general certificate of attendance and the necessary materials will be issued that can be used in other jurisdictions for self-application.

Speakers:

• Chloe Carver, Outside Counsel Engagement & Diversity Lead, Microsoft Corporation
• Helen McFarland, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
• Annette Tyman, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP - People Analytics Team
• Karen Wilkins-Mickey, Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Seattle Seahawks

Description:

More and more, employers are using data to make employment decisions around diversity, equity, and inclusion with respect to both internal and external company goals. This growing trend encompasses a wide-range of applications and uses, and has permeated employers both large and small in every industry. Legal teams and diversity, equity, and inclusion professionals are increasingly partnering to articulate goals, while still creating intention behind initiatives and protecting their organizations.

Please join us for a panel discussion with distinguished speakers who will share unique insights and strategies on how to use data to solve complex workforce issues.

Topics will include:

• What is data and what are the benefits and risk of using it to make decisions around diversity, equity, and inclusion goals?
• How can companies use data to drive both internal and external decisions?
• What are best practices when relying on data in the workplace?
• How in-house legal counsel can work with diversity and inclusion professionals to articulate goals and protect their organizations when using data
• The use of data-driven decision making to address key processes, including diversity and inclusion efforts

Speaker Bios:

Chloe Carver (she/her) | Outside Counsel Engagement & Diversity Lead | Microsoft

Chloe manages Microsoft’s law firm engagement programs as a part of the Office of the General Counsel’s Legal Business & Strategy team. Her work includes law firm diversity initiatives and programs, preferred partner programs, general legal procurement, and legal pricing. With extensive experience in business operations across a variety of industries, she brings over 14 years of expertise to the legal operations field. Prior to her role at Microsoft, Chloe was a member of pricing and innovation teams at several law firms based out of the PNW and most recently served as Chief of Staff to the VP of HR Technology and Analytics at Nordstrom. Chloe received her MBA from the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington and has a BA in political science.

Helen McFarland (she/her) | Partner | Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Helen is a partner practicing in Seyfarth’s Labor & Employment practice in Seattle. She has nearly 20 years of experience representing employers in Washington, Oregon, and California in all types of employment advice and litigation. She defends employers in claims including the defense of wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, harassment, unfair competition, independent contractor misclassification, and wage and hour claims. In addition, Helen advises clients on the entire gamut of employment issues, including hiring and firing, avoiding harassment and discrimination claims, responding to leave requests, accommodations, wage and hour audits, grievances and investigations, and drafting employee handbook, agreements, and other employment policies.

Helen earned her JD from Lewis & Clark Law School and her BA from Vassar College. She is a member of the planning committee for the Pacific Coast Labor and Employment Law Conference.

Annette Tyman (she/her) | Partner | Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Annette is a partner practicing in Seyfarth’s Chicago office and is co-leader of Seyfarth’s People Analytics group, leading a multidisciplinary team of attorneys, labor economists, data analysts, and other professionals to develop data-driven solutions that solve complex workforce issues. She collaborates with employers to design and implement metrics for tracking, assessment, and achievement of workforce objectives including effective talent acquisition and management, pay equity, diversity and inclusion, and workforce restructuring with an eye toward minimizing litigation risk. In her practice, Annette is on the cutting edge of providing legal advice related to the technological advances that are driving data-driven decision making in the employment context. She has also provided written and oral testimony on proposed labor and employment legislation and regulations pending before the United States Senate, House of Representatives, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Annette earned her JD from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, her MBA from Loyola University Chicago, and her BS from Indiana University. In March 2021, she was selected to the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity and a member of the 2021 class of Fellows.

Karen Wilkins-Mickey (she/her) | Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | Seattle Seahawks

Karen joined the Seahawks in January 2021 and brings over 20 years of DEI leadership experience to the team. In her role, Karen leads the Seahawks' overall DEI strategy, and acts as a liaison for the team, its senior management group, players and the community to drive strategic DEI initiatives and programs. She also oversees the team's internal DEI Council, represents the team for NFL social justice initiatives, and acts as an internal consultant to department leaders across the team's football and business operations to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion are part of the decision-making process throughout the organization.

Prior to the Seahawks, Karen was Director of Diversity & Inclusion for Alaska Airlines, and has previously held diversity and inclusion leadership roles within Expedia Group and Microsoft. She recently completed the first McKinsey Black Executive Leadership Program and is a founding member of the DEI Community of Practice, which is a growing network of professionals committed to establishing and enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion practices within Seattle-area organizations. She was recently appointed to the Leadership Council for UNCF, which supports a goal of providing every local minority student with the funds they need to support their college education. She was honored in 2018 by the Seattle Mariners as part of African American Heritage Day, where she was recognized for her contributions to the Northwest community. She is also a Certified Diversity Recruiter.

A native of New York City, Karen has Bachelor's Degree in Communications from California State University Chico. She lives in Bothell, Wash. with her husband Korey and two teenage children, Kyra and Kaden.

ACC-WI Past-President, Danielle White hosts this webinar series with Wisconsin leaders focusing on their career journeys and how their experience practicing law influences them today.

Join us June 17, 2021 for a conversation with Claudio Morfe, Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Clarios.

Claudio Morfe serves as Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Clarios since May  2019. He has more than 30 years of experience as a legal executive with multiple large public companies. He was the Vice President and General Counsel of Power Solutions at Johnson Controls Inc., the predecessor to Clarios, from 2017 to 2019 and before that was Vice President and General Counsel of Power Solutions, Europe and Global OEM from 2015 to 2017. Mr. Morfe has experience working in the U.S., Latin America, China and Europe.

Join us on May 27th for a CLE Webinar. This panel will discuss:

• The state statutory movement for mandatory Board diversity and the status of Federal efforts

• The value proposition and business case for Board diversity (in the absence of a CA-like mandate);

• How candidates who have historically been marginalized from Boards can prepare themselves for service;

• Issues that incumbent Boards/Board Members need to address as they prepare to diversify; and

• The role of in house counsel in educating/ensuring compliance and in advising on board governance matters.

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. 

The esteemed panel will share facts, demographic information, and reports regarding the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in the workplace, in the legal profession and in connection with the over year-long surge of anti-AAPI hate crimes and racial violence. The discussion will include practical suggestions and ideas on authentic, sustainable, and comprehensive inclusion for AAPIs in each of these areas.