The Law in Black and White

Ep 027: Creating a Legal Industry Where Everyone Can Thrive: How Law Firms Can Better Accommodate Neurodivergent Attorneys Jun 18, 2024

In this episode, Bryan and Jon were joined by AJ Link of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, and Nirvana Dove, a BigLaw DEI professional, for a conversation on how firms can better accommodate neurodivergent attorneys. Listen in as they unpack obstacles, practical strategies, and best practices for creating a more openly neurodiverse legal industry.

Ep 026: Exploring the Legal Pipeline Program Landscape Sep 28, 2023

In this episode, we were joined by Georgetown Law Dean of Admissions, Andrew Cornblatt, and Diversity Lab founder & CEO, Caren Ulrich Stacy. Listen in as Andy and Caren discuss the current landscape of pipeline programs, and help Bryan and Jon unpack how these programs work, best practices, metrics, and what could be done better.

Two additional pieces of media mentioned in this episode are:

Podcast Episode: Revisionist History – The Tortoise and the Hare, hosted by Malcolm Gladwell
Book: Pedigree: How Elite Students Get Elite Jobs, by Lauren A Rivera

Ep 025: Honoring AAPI Heritage Month with Jean Lee and Curtis Lu May 19, 2023

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May, we were joined this episode by Jean Lee, President and CEO of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, and Curtis Lu, General Counsel of FTI Consulting. Listen in as Jean and Brenda discuss the unique challenges confronted by AAPI attorneys, the nuances and barriers to representation faced by AAPI individuals in the legal industry, and the complicated work of AAPI and other minority leaders in law when personally and professionally navigating social injustice.

Ep 024: Stress Awareness Month with Kendra Brodin Apr 20, 2023

In honor of Stress Awareness Month in April, we were joined this episode by Kendra Brodin, founder and CEO of EsquireWell. Listen in as Bryan and Kendra discuss how extended periods of intense stress can impact one's mental health and wellbeing, how lawyers can better manage and mitigate stress, and how firms can work towards a culture of well-being for their lawyers.

Resources for stress management & wellness:

Mental Health & Coping with Stress Resources from the CDC
Coping with Stress: Support for Employees, from the CDC
Stress and Coping Resources from the CDC
Stress Management Resources from the American College of Cardiology

Suicide prevention resources:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis

Ep 023: Examining the Legal Pipeline and Job Market with Fiona Hornblower Mar 17, 2023

This March we are joined by Fiona Hornblower, President and CEO of the NALP Foundation. Listen in as Fiona discusses the current status of the legal pipeline and job market, what the NALP Foundation’s research tells us about the current legal pipeline, and what recommendations exist to address the flaws in the way the legal pipeline currently functions.

You can read more about the research discussed in this podcast episode from the NALP Foundation (hyperlink: https://www.nalpfoundation.org/)

The two studies referenced in this episode are available for purchase online at the NALP Foundation website:

Update on Associate Attrition: Findings from a National Study of Law Firm Associate Hirings and Departures: https://www.nalpfoundation.org/product-page/update-on-associate-attrition-calendar-year-2021

Study of Law School Alumni Employment & Satisfaction: Employment Outcomes Three Years After Graduation, Class of 2018: https://www.nalpfoundation.org/product-page/us-study-of-law-school-alumni-employment-and-satisfaction-class-of-2018

Ep 022: The Law in Black and White in Honor of Black History Month: Supporting Black Businesses, Cannabis Legalization, and Racial Justice with Dr. Harold Dean Trulear Feb 21, 2023

In honor of Black History month, this episode we were joined by guest Dr. Harold Dean Trulear for a discussion examining intertwined topics that affect the Black community: 1) the championing and celebrating of Black-owned businesses, 2) marijuana possession convictions and the stark racial disparities that exist in such arrests, and 3) the growing movement to legalize marijuana nationwide.

Ep 021: Celebrating National Mentoring Month with Chris Campbell & Bradley Wine Jan 26, 2023

In honor of National Mentoring Month in January, this episode features guests Chris Campbell of Baker Hughes, and Bradley Wine of Morrison & Foerster. Chris and Brad joined us for a great conversation on the important role of mentors in the legal industry, the benefits of both being and having a mentor, and some best practices for identifying and approaching potential mentors.

Ep 020: Honoring Native American Heritage Month with Tasha Fridia Nov 29, 2022

In honor of Native American Heritage month in November, this episode features guest Tasha Fridia, attorney and National Director of Tribal Programs for the nonprofit Friends of the Children. Tasha joined us for a thoughtful conversation on Native American representation in law and how firms can help improve the pipeline for Native American legal talent. Mikeisha Anderson Jones, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Milbank LLP, joined us to offer added insight on the topic at the end of the episode.

Ep 019: Celebrating NDEAM with Neurodiversity Expert Haley Moss Oct 25, 2022

Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month with us. This episode features Haley Moss, neurodiversity expert, attorney, advocate, author and thought leader, as we discuss neurodiversity in the legal industry and how employers can be more inclusive.

Ep 018: Juneteenth: Black Independence Day and Story telling through Monuments Jun 16, 2022

In honor of Juneteenth, we discussed the history and legacy of the holiday with Dr. Renee Harrison, professor of African American and U.S. Religious History at Howard. Listen to this episode to hear Dr. Harrison discuss her new book, Black Hands, White House: Slave Labor and the Making of America, which documents and appraises the role enslaved women, men, and children played in building the US and its physical and fiscal infrastructure.

Ep 017: Honoring Women's History Month with Kathleen Orr, Dr. Frida Polli, and Lydia Petrakis Apr 14, 2022

In honor of Women’s History Month in March, we were grateful to be joined by women leaders in Legal Tech. A big thanks to our guests:

Kathleen Orr, Global Head of Practice Innovation, Orrick
Dr. Frida Polli, CEO and co-founder, Pymetrics
Lydia Petrakis, Senior Corporate Counsel and Digital Strategist, Microsoft’s Corporate External and Legal Affairs Department

Listen now to a great discussion about the intersection of law and technology, an ever evolving and exciting space for innovation in the legal industry.

Ep 016: Celebrating Black History Month with Roger A. Fairfax, Dean and Professor of Law – American University Washington College of Law Feb 22, 2022

In celebration of Black History Month, this podcast episode we were joined by Roger Fairfax, Dean and Professor of Law at American University Washington College of Law, for a discussion on the law school pipeline, diverse representation in law school leadership, and the challenges facing that leadership in today’s legal environment.

Ep 015: Current Events: Rooney Rule and Supreme Court Nominations Feb 14, 2022

As we close out this year's football season, Jon and Bryan reflect on the NFL's Rooney Rule, and the impact it has had.

Ep 014: This Year in Review, and Looking Ahead to 2022 Dec 15, 2021

This week, our hosts Bryan Parker and Jonathan Greenblatt look back on this year and provide a review of the key trends and highlights from the legal industry in 2021. They dive into the themes of allyship for diverse lawyers, attorney mental health, and innovation in the legal profession, and wrap up this year with a discussion what they predict 2022 will bring. Plus, they listen back on the best pet peeves from 2021!

Ep 013: National Disability Employment Awareness Month with Professor Katherine Macfarlane Oct 29, 2021

Listen to our October episode and celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month with us. Katherine Macfarlane, Professor and Chair-Elect of the AALS Section on Disability Law at Southern University Law Center joins us to discuss disability awareness in the legal field and how the industry can improve inclusiveness and compliance.

Ep 012: The Existential Crisis: Mental Health in the Legal Profession Sep 23, 2021

We’re joined by Brian Cuban and Scott Langley to discuss mental health and wellness in the legal industry. We dive into why the legal industry, which is notorious for its competitive pressures, high stakes, and long hours, results in an industry characterized by burnout and extreme stress and what our professional can do to ensure the mental health of its attorneys.

Ep 011: LGBTQ+ in the Law: The Progress We’ve Made and the Path Forward Jul 21, 2021

Today we're joined by NALP Executive Director James Leipold to learn more about the structural changes needed to promote inclusion in the legal profession.

James talks about the progress we've made in law schools and law firms, and the structural changes he foresees to retain more diverse legal talent.

Ep 010: Chief Talent Officers Creating Innovative Approaches to Legal Hiring May 06, 2021

This week, we're joined by Alston + Bird's Chief Legal Talent Officer, Liz Price, and by Siobhan Handley, Chief Talent Officer at Orrick, about the changes their firms are implementing to retain diverse talent in big law.

EP 009 - Véronique Goy Veenhuys on EQUAL-SALARY and Gender Equality Mar 23, 2021

We’re honored to have with us today Véronique Goy Veenhuys, founder and CEO of EQUAL-SALARY.

Véronique Goy Veenhuys is a Swiss social entrepreneur and equal pay advocate. Véronique developed a practical and scientific certification process that allows companies to verify and communicate that they pay male and female employees equally for the same role. She has overseen its development from day one and in 2010, became the founder and CEO of EQUAL-SALARY. Certifications can be issued to all companies, across all industries and are meant to demonstrate a company’s commitment and action toward eliminating the gender pay gap.

In 2015, Véronique was awarded the WIN Global Inspiring Women Worldwide Award in recognition for her work with EQUAL-SALARY and in her contributions to equal pay and the advancement of women.

Ep 008 - The Changing Role of the General Counsel Mar 16, 2021

As we continue through Women's History Month, we're honored to speak with Angela Grant, the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Palomar Holdings, Inc., and LaTanya Langley, who serves as Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary at BIC.

The role of a General Counsel or Chief Legal Officer is ever evolving. GCs often have a seat at the management table, are a trusted partner to the C-suite and board, and are increasingly responsible for enhancing the business, financial, and risk management strategies of a corporation and the integrity of its operations.

With the pandemic, we have seen many companies and GCs focused on doing more with less across the board from cost savings, to evaluating resources, to managing culture and teams efficiently.

Ep 007 - Celebrating Women's History Month with Paulette Brown Mar 08, 2021

We're honored to kick off the month of March with a conversation with former ABA President, and Locke Lorde LLP Partner, Paulette Brown.

As a woman of color and a veteran in the legal industry, Paulette joins us to discuss her long career of advocating for diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

Ep 006 - Celebrating Black History Month with David Baker Lewis Feb 12, 2021

As we kick off a series of episodes focused on celebrating Black History Month through conversations with prominent black lawyers, our guest is David Baker Lewis, who shared with us nearly five decades of insights on the legal profession.

Ep 005: Strategies for Driving Gender Equity in the Legal Industry Dec 22, 2020

This week, we’re joined by two experts, Professor Paula Monopoli from the University of Maryland Carey School of Law and Professor Melissa Murray from NYU School of Law, to discuss driving gender equity in the legal industry.

EP 004: A Look at The Evolution of ALSPs Dec 14, 2020

In this episode, hosts Jon Greenblatt and Bryan Parker speak with ALSP expert Dan Packel from Law.com about the history of ALSPs, the trends of innovation in the legal industry, and predictions for new law post-covid.

Ep 003: The Workplace of the Future: How COVID will change the workplace Oct 29, 2020

In this episode, Bryan and Jon discuss recent trends and predictions around how the workplace will change post-COVID. They dive into changes in attire, office space, technology and more. They also introduce their new segment, Law in Black and White Weekly Pet Peeve.

Ep 002: “Police Shootings, the Governing Law and Public Policy in the United States—Where do we go from here?”, Part Two: Uncut interview Oct 05, 2020

In this episode, we share our full, uncut interview with Mathew Brief, a former prosecutor both federal, as well as in the Manhattan district attorney's office. Matt joins us to share his insights on the laws that govern how we handle the recent cases of police shootings and social unrest in the United States.

If you haven't listened to episode one, make sure to tune in to hear Bryan and Jon's breakdown of this interview.

Ep 001: “Police Shootings, the Governing Law and Public Policy in the United States—Where do we go from here?”, Part One Oct 05, 2020

For our inaugural episode, we focus on the sensitive subject of the recent trend of police shootings and social injustice in the United States. As close friends of different races - this subject is close to our hearts, and we'd feel remiss not to talk about it from an objective, legal lens.

During this episode, you'll hear excerpts from our interview with Matthew Brief, former New York prosecutor. To hear the full, uncut interview with Matt, check out Episode Two.

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