News, Events & Announcements
2020 Annual Meeting
The Diversity Caucus has the pleasure of presenting Dr. Isaiah McKinnon, former Detroit Police Chief, as the keynote speaker at the annual Diversity Caucus gathering during the annual ABA Forum on Franchising – a virtual gathering this year. Dr. McKinnon began his five-decade career in public service as an officer with the Detroit Police Department in 1965. He has held many positions in the department including patrol operations and various supervisory, administrative, command, and executive roles, including Police Chief and Deputy Mayor. This discussion is certainly important and timely, and we are happy to have the opportunity to hear from Dr. McKinnon.
Please let us know if there is a particular topic you want explored at future events. This Diversity Caucus is here to serve the needs of our diverse Forum members, and we can best achieve it with your feedback.
2019 Annual Meeting
The October 2019 Diversity Caucus lunch in Denver, Colorado, was an opportunity to have a very open and candid discussion about diversity and inclusion in the legal workplace. The “open mic” format, guided by the Diversity Caucus Steering Committee, provided a platform for Forum members to share their experiences in recognizing and addressing these issues. Thank you to the attendees for their participation in this conversation.
2018 Annual Meeting
At the annual Diversity Caucus Lunch, speakers, Sherin Sakr, Clay Tillack, and Liza Favaro joined the Diversity Caucus to discuss the challenges of recognizing and working to eliminate bias in law firms. The issues discussed included: How does law firm bias manifest itself? How can law firms create a workplace that encourages success for all? What do clients expect from law firms in terms of diversity and inclusion? How can clients and law firms work together to create a bias-free work environment?
Calling All Diverse Forum Members
Since our inception in October 2010, the Diversity Caucus has operated with an informal membership roll. Forum members were invited to join us for the Annual Diversity Luncheon and participate in co-sponsored events such as the community service project. With this new year, we strive to become a more recognized caucus in the Forum and urge all Forum members to participate in our events.
Diversity Officer:
Bethany L. Appleby
Appleby & Corcoran, LLC
bappleby@applebycorcoranlaw.com
(203) 623-7129
Steering Committee:
Adrian K. Felix
Bilzin Sumberg
afelix@bilzin.com
(305) 350-7234
Maisa Jean Frank
Lathrop GPM
maisa.frank@lathropgpm.com
(202) 295-2209
Iris Figueroa Rosario
iris.rosario4@verizon.net
(703) 864-2617
Dawn Diaz
Sun Holdings, Inc.
ddiaz@sunholdings.net
(972) 620-2287
Mohammad M. Alturk
Baker McKenzie
mohammad.alturk@bakermckenzie.com
(214) 978 3029
Joseph J Santaniello
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
jsantaniello@shumaker.com
(704) 945-2141
For more information about Diversity & Inclusion and the ABA, please visit: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/diversity/ and https://www.americanbar.org/advocacy/justice-system/
