MAKING CONNECTIONS
Driving DEI Dialogues
Tracking Progress in the Tech and Legal Industries
At no time has there been more emphasis on ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) among major employers. But is what’s being done enough, and is it leading to real progress? What are potential clients of major law firms such as Holland & Knight looking for on the DEI front, and how important is it to them when hiring legal representation?
Thomas Kim
Patricia MenendezCambo
Tiffani Lee 1
According to Thomas Kim, law firm DEI efforts are not only a consideration among potential clients, but of major importance to many companies, including tech giant Thomson Reuters Corp., where he is chief legal officer and corporate secretary. Mr. Kim joined Patricia Menendez-Cambo, deputy general counsel of SoftBank Group, for “Dialogues in Tech DEI: Creating Leadership and Driving Innovation,” a Sept. 22 webinar hosted by the Technology & Telecommunications Industry Sector Group’s DEI subcommittee and moderated by Diversity Partner Tiffani Lee (MIA), who also serves as chair of the firm’s Diversity Council.
Ms. Cambo said that in the current economic climate, diversity is simply good business. Mr. Kim concurred, saying that it’s not only the right thing to do, “it’s the best way to run a business and drive innovation and creativity in an organization.” While agreeing that the tech and legal industries have been “DEI-challenged,” Mr. Kim said there have been decades of struggle and hard work to overcome, but it is starting to pay off. “There is consumer and investor sentiment, which is to say, ‘I want to hear where you, a place where I may spend or invest my money, stand on such issues.’ This is a real moment we can use for people who actually do care to get further accountability from these institutions,” he said. “It’s great to see this happening, but it’s really just another step for the long term.” Ms. Cambo said that Holland & Knight is among the firms that have directly addressed diversity issues. “A benefit of the time we’re living in now is people have had the opportunity to see these programs, and now people are talking about accountability,” she said. “What are the results of that? And if it’s not working, what are you doing to make it better? There’s a tone to this initiative that focuses much more on accountability and getting results.”
