In the private and public sectors alike, diversity, equity and inclusion issues have been very much at the forefront of our clients and colleagues, perhaps more so now than ever. It seems like every law firm, inhouse legal department, and business entity has something to say about DEI. But what is really happening? What does it take to make DEI initiatives successful? In some quarters, DEI is viewed as just the most recent version of a construct that has played out for decades now—a construct designed to make people feel like progress is being made toward equality, with one‐day trainings or identity‐specific affinity groups. In reality, the discussion itself has the potential to hinder that very progress. Instead of bringing us closer together, it has the potential to push us further apart. This panel provides valuable insight in this area and help answer these questions, as well as the overall task for this session: we all recognize DEI, but what now?
Recorded at Day Two of the Business Law Institute in November 2021.