NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 8, 2017

CONTACT:
Kristen Durst
(608) 250-6025
kdurst@wisbar.org

Dec. 8, 2017 –The State Bar of Wisconsin’s Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Committee will host a half day legal seminar discussing workplace diversity and inclusion programs on Monday, December 11 at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI.

 “Today’s Diversity and Inclusion Programs: Successes, Ethical Issues, and Challenges,” will feature the insights of Wisconsin judges, attorneys, ethics counsel, and non–attorney professionals.

“Our goal is to offer practical insights into the challenges inherent in creating and maintaining workplace diversity programs to lawyers and others interested in promoting a diverse workforce,” explains Atty. John Wesley Warren, a member of the State Bar’s Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Committee and event chairperson.   

2017 Diversity Counsel Program Agenda:

8:30 a.m.  Welcome and Introduction

8:45 a.m.   How to Create and Maintain a Successful Diversity & Inclusion Program 

Moderator:  Atty. John Wesley Warren (Northwestern Mutual; State Bar Diversity & Inclusion 
                  Oversight Committee)
Panelists:  Raymone Jackson (Northwestern Mutual Director of Diversity & Inclusion); 
                 Angela R. Russell (Director, Diversity & Inclusion, CUNA Mutual); Jim St. Vincent (American
                 Family Mutual Insurance Company Chief Human Resources Officer); Atty. Danielle White 
                 (Rockwell Automation; Wisconsin Association of African American Lawyers Secretary)

Study after study has concluded that diverse workforces and teams boost business results. Creating and maintaining a diversity and inclusion program may seem daunting, but with careful planning, your program will be successful. Today’s panel will discuss elements to include in your program, what policy or procedures work and what doesn’t work, with specific information to discuss with your Human Relations department or law firm partners with respect to the steps to implement a successful diversity and inclusion program.

10:15 a.m.  Leading the Way: Diversity and Inclusion — More than Misconduct for                                         Harassment and Discrimination

Moderator:    Atty. Aviva Kaiser, State Bar Ethics Coordinator

Panelists:     Hon. Charles N. Clevert, Jr. (retired US District Court Eastern District); Pa Her (Doctoral 
                    Externship, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital); Atty. Christopher 
                    Krimmer (DeWitt Ross & Stevens SC)

Under the Rules of Professional Conduct, a lawyer is more than a representative of clients and an officer of the legal system. A lawyer is also a public citizen with a special responsibility for assisting with administration of justice. As a public citizen, a lawyer should lead in reforming the law and in removing economic and social barriers to the system of justice. Through the use of hypotheticals, our panel will explore our duties under the Rules of Professional Conduct as well as ways in which we can raise cultural competence.

12 p.m.      Diversity: A Candid Roundtable Discussion

Moderator:  Hon. Carl Ashley (Milwaukee County Circuit Court; Diversity & Inclusion Oversight 
                   Committee Chairperson)

Panelists:    Atty. Andrew Chevrez (State Bar Diversity & Inclusion Oversight Committee, 
                   Law Student Outreach Subcommittee Chair); Atty. Kathleen Chung (Diversity Outreach 
                   Committee Former Chair); Atty. Steven DeVougas (Wisconsin Association of African 
                   American Lawyers Past President); Atty. Paul G. Swanson (Steinhilber Swanson LLP, 
                   State Bar President); Hon. Maxine A. White (Milwaukee County Circuit Court; Wisconsin 
                   Association of African American Lawyers Former President)

Today we are being confronted with a resurgence of racial and ethnic polarization. Therefore, it is more important than ever for us as individuals, corporations, law firms and institutions to be proactive and willing to challenge the unacceptable reversal of the effort to be more inclusive and diverse. We recognize the efforts of those who have consistently supported diversity and inclusion because it is a smart business model, but more importantly, that it is the right thing to do. What can we all do to stop racial and ethnic polarization?

12 p.m.      Lunch Break

1:35 p.m.   Closing Remarks

The event is open to the media, however other participants must register by contacting the State Bar at 800–728–7788 or at our online event page.  Tuition is $50 for the general public, $35 for State Bar members, and $15 for students.