We asked liaison, Azuka Dike, about his service on the Commission. Here is what he had to say!
How long have you been on the Commission? This is my third year on the Commission.
What other ABA entities are you involved in? I was previously Vice-Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the IP Law Section, but have since transitioned to working as a member of the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Advisory Council for the ABA.
What is one of your favorite things about serving on the Commission? That’s a tough question. I would say that I thoroughly enjoy getting to meet new people each year on the Commission and working with an amazing group of Commissioners and Liaisons. However, I think my favorite thing would be the work that we do in shaping and crafting policy in the D&I space and shining a light on this important topic. I truly believe our work serves as a beacon for others to get engaged.
What advice would you give to a firm/organization looking to increase diversity and inclusion among its attorneys? The best advice that I can give would be to start from within. Build a culture of diversity and inclusion internally that encourages candid communication from all stakeholders, and create an intentional hiring plan that aligns with the firm’s values and prioritizes the importance of diversity.
What is your dream escape or vacation? My dream escape/vacation would be to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Do you have a favorite board game? Monopoly, although I don’t think I’ve ever finished a board game.
Do you have a favorite winter activity? It’s a tie between snowboarding and taking my daughters to see ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Do you have a fun hobby? I like to cook and grill.
On that note, what’s your favorite meal? Anything Italian—particularly lasagna.