Help protect D&I in legal services industry, GC urged
The founder of a London legal services company fears that the COVID-19 pandemic could leave behind a “less diverse, less vibrant market and that will be to the detriment of everyone working in the legal profession”.
The warning came from Dana Denis-Smith, CEO of Obelisk Support, in an open letter to general counsel published in Artificial Lawyer.
According to Denis-Smith, a snap poll she conducted of female business owners in the sector revealed that 39% have seen sales drop “considerably”, while 21% have found it harder to access funding.
The Obelisk CEO says general counsel have a role to play in supporting smaller firms in their supply chains, including women-owned businesses.
While there may be a “temptation for in-house counsel to turn to traditional suppliers that are perceived as less risky,” Dana-Smith urged counsel to think about long-term diversity of suppliers in the market.
Describing some of the “essential actions” that general counsel could take today, she said they should “make sure you reach out to women-owned businesses” when looking for service providers.
The letter was signed by 27 others, including women working in the legal services industry.
“On behalf of all women who have together contributed to an emerging ecosystem of alternative legal services companies, we ask that when reviewing budgets and making procurement decisions in the coming weeks and months, you consider the long-term benefits of maintaining greater competition, innovation and supplier diversity in the sector,” they urged general counsel.
Earlier this week, WIPR reported that law firm Seyfarth Shaw had joined the Belonging Project, a coalition of groups aimed at supporting diversity in the legal industry during the pandemic.
Project member D'Arcy Kemnitz, who is executive director of National LGBT Bar Association, warned that crises such as the current pandemic could negatively impact diversity in the industry, as the 9/11 terror attacks did.
The Belonging Project offers a “virtual” hub of tools for diverse attorneys and staff to use, including webinars and virtual one-on-one coaching.
Obelisk published a report last month which concluded it would be incumbent on in-house teams to drive diversity after the pandemic.
In the report, Dana-Smith identified five ‘pillars’ for a sustainable in-house team: flexibility; challenging work and career paths; health and wellbeing; diversity and inclusion; and leadership and role models.
General counsel should work with recruiters to consciously develop a more diverse workforce, she argued.
Today’s top stories
Delhi High Court suspends India’s IP deadlines
USITC to investigate Philip Morris over e-cigarettes
English Court of Appeal rejects Glencairn in Chinese wall dispute
Already registered?
Login to your account
If you don't have a login or your access has expired, you will need to purchase a subscription to gain access to this article, including all our online content.
For more information on individual annual subscriptions for full paid access and corporate subscription options please contact us.
To request a FREE 2-week trial subscription, please signup.
NOTE - this can take up to 48hrs to be approved.
For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription that we can add you to for FREE, please email Adrian Tapping at atapping@newtonmedia.co.uk