The Diversity and Inclusion Program at the WSBA collaborates with other departments of the Bar, Minority Bar Associations and other stakeholders to create CLE, Town Hall, and other educational programs covering
a wide range of important and under-discussed subjects with the common thread of diversity and inclusion. Recent past programming includes:
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Focused CLE Webinars
- The Law and Strategy of Accommodating Mental Health and Cognitive Disability in the Workplace (Nov. 30, 2018)
- Microaggressions: Experiences and Responses (Legal Lunchbox™ Series March 2019)
- Women and the Law Past, Present and Future - 2nd Annual Women's History Month (March 13, 2019)
- Seeing the Unseen: Implicit Bias and the Courtroom (March 13, 2019)
- Best Practices for Working with Unaccompanied Minor
- Mentoring for Diversity and Inclusion: The Role of Allies
- Identifying and Responding to Bias and Microaggressions in the Practice of Law (April 23, 2019)
- Examining & Undoing the Power and Privilege of Practice (May 24, 2019)
- Transgender Competency in Legal Services (June 15, 2019)
- Trauma Informed Approaches and Secondary Trauma (June 15, 2019)
- Past Lessons for Future Planning Housing Discrimination in Spokane and Structural Racism (June 15, 2019)
- Formerly Incarcerated Community Panel Discussion (June 14, 2019)
- Washington's General Rule 37: Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Bias in Jury Selection (Legal Lunchbox™ Series July 2019)
- Mass Incarceration Reconsidered: The Drivers and Consequences of Long and Life Prison Sentences in Washington State (Legal Lunchbox™ Series January 2020)
- Legal Responses to Hate Crimes in the Pacific Northwest (Legal Lunchbox™ Series March 2020)
- Confronting Systemic Trauma in Family Law Cases (Legal Lunchbox™ Series August 2020)
- Beyond the Dialogue From Transphobia to Gender Inclusion in the Practice Law (Sept. 15, 2020) (Free)
- Washington Initiative for Diversity's Fall Event: Taking Action to Address Social Injustice (Sept. 11, 2020)
- Understanding Systemic Racism in the Law (Legal Lunchbox™ Series March 2021)
Beyond the Dialogue Townhall
Women, Race and Age Part 1: Mitigating Bias and Misogyny in the Legal Profession, recorded Sept. 13, 2016
In part one of this Beyond the Dialogue Series, panelists representing a diverse array of experience and practice areas discussed current research relating to the experience of women in Washington State's legal profession. Panelists represent a diverse array of experience and areas of practice. Panelists offered suggestions and strategies for women, allies, and leaders who seek to address and mitigate incidences of bias and misogyny within the practice of law.
Women, Race and Age Part 2: The Role of Allies, recorded June 8, 2017
In part two of this Beyond the Dailogue series, the WSBA Diversity Program partnered with Washington Women Lawyers for a panel discussion that extended the focus of part one beyond what women can do to respond to sexism, to addressing roles for making the legal profession a place for women to thrive regardless of races, age, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
Disability and Ableism in the Legal Profession, recorded Oct. 24, 2018
A panel of legal practitioners discussed the experience of disability and ableism through a variety of lenses. Panelists shared their personal experiences of existing obstacles for legal professionals with disabilities, and suggestions for solutions, best practices and the knowledge important to making the legal profession inclusive for people of all abilities to enter, thrive, and lead.
2018 Diversity and Inclusion Celebration
The Path Forward, 70 minutes
This session explores how the legal profession can advance diversity, equity and inclusion through multiple lenses. Participants will hear from legal professionals who work across various industries and practice settings. Session leaders will share current trends, best practices and tools which intersect with the practice of law; the session will discuss moving forward by creating the conditions necessary for strategic action, realistic implementation of equity initiatives and developing an inclusive culture in the corporate, court system, law firm setting and legal advocacy organization.
For more information contact: diversity@wsba.org
WSBA Diversity and Inclusion programs are supported by charitable donations to the Washington State Bar Foundation. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please visit the Foundation online or email foundation@wsba.org
