Mission Statement
The purpose of the ACC New York City Diversity Group is to facilitate members’ development of plans, strategies and initiatives that increase diversity and the involvement of diverse individuals at all levels of our Association and the legal profession.
Policy Statement
ACC New York City is committed to supporting and promoting both diversity and inclusion within the legal community, based on the following:
• the belief that diversity and inclusion improve the quality of our work and workplaces;
• respect for individual differences;
• interest in involving diverse and non-diverse practitioners in meaningful dialogues about diversity and inclusion
• the belief that every practitioner has relevant experiences and insights from which others will benefit; and
• the benefits of law practitioners becoming more culturally aware in a diverse and inclusive work environment.
Past Events
"Implementing a Culture of Collaboration in a Legal Department"
October 9, 2019 - Sponsored by Baker Botts
On October 9, 2018, ACC-NYC Diversity Group and its sponsor, Baker Botts, presented "Implementing a Culture of Collaboration in a Legal Department". The program covered (1) Global collaboration of in-house counsel resulting in innovation, creativity, brainstorming, insights, and/or a better business pitch and greater revenue; (2) In-house counsel will be more effective, learn about cultural differences through collaboration with in-house and/or external law firm colleagues in other countries; (3) virtual / video collaboration where corporate travel budgets have been cut down; (4) introverted / conservative vs. extroverted / liberal cultures - barriers in each culture; (5) what implementation measures can organizations take to help break down any barriers.
"GENDER COMMUNICATION, PERSUASION AND POWER"
APRIL 12, 2018 - SPONSORED BY COOLEY
On April 12, 2018, ACC-NYC Diversity Group and Sponsor, Cooley presented "Gender Communication, Persuasion and Power". The program topic was developed and presented by Michelle Galloway, Of Counsel in sponsoring firm Cooley's litigation department. Various examples and statistics were presented showing how implicit bias is still common against females, and in particular against females of color. The presentation also included public examples of not so implicit biases. This innovative presentation contained a great deal of substantiated information to cover 3 main topics. (1) The Fundamental Differences between verbal and non-verbal communication styles between men and women; (2) How these are perceived by others in terms of demonstrating competence, promoting themselves, asking for resources, and dealing with confrontation;(3) Effective strategies to change minds or move others to actions.
"CHANNELING CHANGE: EXPLORING ADVOCACY AS IN-HOUSE COUNSEL"
OCTOBER 26, 2017 - SPONSORED BY BAKER BOTTS
On October 26, 2017, ACC-NYC Diversity Group and Baker Botts presented "Channeling Change: Exploring Advocacy as In-House Counsel". The Topic of discussion was designed by this dynamic panel to educate in-house counsel about the various advocacy organizations that they could volunteer in and participate in pro bono to support the causes that they each advocate for. The panelist included leaders from 5 well-known local NYS and national advocacy groups. Murad Awaweh, Vice President of Advocacy at the New York Immigration Coalition, Michelle A. Caiola, Director of Litigation, New York Office Disability rights Advocates (DRA), Nicole Triplett, Policy Counsel, New York Civil Liberties Union, Lilian Sepulveda, Vice President of Global Legal Program Center for Reproductive Rights Rachel B. Tiven, Chief Executive Officer of Lambda Legal and was moderated by Lynn Neils, Partner from Baker Botts.
