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

Early Units (Foundation)

Building Skills

Advanced Concepts

Capstone/Synthesis

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

20 minutes

Learning Progression

This course is designed to be taken sequentially. Earlier units establish foundational concepts that later units build upon. While you can explore units in any order, following the numbered sequence provides the most coherent learning experience.