Six law firms have joined forces to create and host the inaugural West Michigan Black Legal Summit, which is designed to “create a dedicated space where Black attorneys and legal professionals can come together, learn together and brainstorm how to chart that path forward toward representation.”
Crain’s Grand Rapids talked with summit organizers for a preview of the Sept. 5 event, which will feature a keynote address from Deesha Dyer, the former social secretary for President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. Breakout sessions will focus on practice development, community engagement, self-care and more.
“If we want to build a legal community where diverse attorneys, Black attorneys, women and attorneys of all backgrounds are able to thrive, we have to be intentional,” Mandice McAllister, DEI manager at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, told Crain’s. “By coming together as a collective to put on this summit … not only are we strengthening the individual careers of attorneys who will attend, but we’re contributing to the broader movement of equity in our profession.”
The article noted representation of people of color in the legal field is improving and highlighted steps law firms are taking to improve the talent pipeline, such as Warner’s $20,000 diversity scholarship for first-year law students.
“Debt is such a huge barrier to law school in general,” Carin Ojala, Warner’s director of recruiting and professional development, told Crain’s. “(The scholarship) is a game changer.”
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