Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Legal Practice

Mandatory in NY (1hr), IL, and CA. Implicit bias in legal practice, diverse client representation, inclusive hiring, and the business case for diversity.

6 Units

20 minutes per unit

Curriculum Map

What You Will Learn

Implicit Bias

How unconscious bias affects advocacy, jury selection, client counseling, and judicial decision-making.

Inclusive Practice

Culturally competent client communication, diverse workforce recruitment, and disability accommodation.

Business Case

The evidence that diverse firms perform better — client expectations, talent retention, and competitive advantage.

All Units

20 minutes

Implicit Bias in Legal Decision-Making

This unit examines the neuroscience and behavioral research on implicit bias, exploring how unconscious attitudes affect legal decision-making. Practitioners learn evidence-based debiasing strategies applicable to case evaluation, jury selection, witness credibility assessments, and client counseling.

•Define implicit bias and distinguish it from explicit bias in legal contexts
•Identify common manifestations of implicit bias in legal decision-making processes
•Apply evidence-based strategies to mitigate implicit bias in professional practice

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20 minutes

Diverse Client Representation & Cultural Competence

This unit explores cultural competence as a core component of professional competence in legal practice. Attorneys learn frameworks for understanding how cultural backgrounds influence communication patterns, decision-making preferences, and expectations of legal representation, along with strategies for building trust and providing effective advocacy across cultural differences.

•Identify cultural factors that influence client communication styles and expectations in legal representation
•Apply cultural competence frameworks to client intake, counseling, and case strategy development
•Recognize ethical obligations regarding competent representation across cultural differences

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20 minutes

Inclusive Communication in Legal Practice

This unit examines inclusive communication as both an ethical imperative and a practice enhancement tool. Attorneys learn to use language that respects diverse identities, avoid unintentional exclusion through microaggressions, and implement accessibility practices that ensure full participation of clients and colleagues with disabilities.

•Apply inclusive language principles in written and oral legal communication
•Recognize and avoid microaggressions and exclusionary language in professional interactions
•Implement accessibility best practices for clients and colleagues with disabilities

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20 minutes

Hiring, Retention & Advancement Best Practices

This unit examines the talent pipeline challenges facing the legal profession and evidence-based interventions that improve diversity in hiring, retention, and advancement. Attorneys learn to recognize how seemingly neutral practices can perpetuate bias and how structural changes create more equitable outcomes.

•Identify evidence-based strategies for reducing bias in legal hiring processes
•Apply retention best practices that address barriers facing underrepresented attorneys
•Recognize structural factors affecting advancement equity and implement systemic solutions

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20 minutes

Disability Accommodation in Legal Workplaces

This unit examines disability accommodation law and practice in legal workplace contexts. Attorneys learn ADA requirements, common accommodation scenarios, the interactive process for determining effective accommodations, and best practices for creating accessible and inclusive legal work environments.

•Apply ADA reasonable accommodation requirements to legal workplace scenarios
•Identify common accommodations for attorneys and staff with various disabilities
•Navigate the interactive accommodation process while maintaining confidentiality obligations

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20 minutes

The Business Case for Diversity in Law Firms

This unit examines empirical research demonstrating that diversity enhances law firm performance, profitability, and client service. Attorneys learn to articulate business justifications for diversity initiatives, understand mechanisms through which diversity improves outcomes, and address common objections to diversity investments.

•Evaluate empirical evidence linking diversity to law firm financial performance and client satisfaction
•Analyze how diverse teams improve decision-making quality and innovation in legal practice
•Apply business case arguments to justify diversity investments and overcome resistance

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