DRI’s Diversity Committee’s first full year as a substantive law committee has been remarkably challenging and overwhelmingly successful. Not long ago the committee was little more than a promising seminar program and a strong commitment from DRI’s officers and board of directors. Today we have a 22-member steering committee and over 500 members. We are planning for the Diversity for Success Seminar, to be held at the Swissôtel Chicago on June 10•11, 2010. Indeed, our Corporate Expo in conjuction with the seminar is the only seminar in the country where corporate counsel can meet and interview the most diverse group of outside counsel dedicated solely to the defense of corporations and insurers.
We wanted the Diversity Committee to be more than just another group of minority lawyers preaching to the choir about the need for more diversity in DRI and the profession. We understood diversity as making a place for everyone’s views, beliefs and life experiences. To that end, we asked that all DRI members join our committee. Many of you answered the call, and we thank you very much.
The theme for 2009 is “reintegration.” Over the years, we have heard an ever-increasing number of voices talk about the importance of diversity. Now it is time to take action. This process can begin in our individual law firms and practices. To “reintegrate” we need only reach out to those people in our offices, or at conferences or depositions, who do not readily appear to be the same as us. Invite these lawyers to lunch, to a round of golf with a big client, to a DRI conference. To really reintegrate, you cannot stop with that single invitation. Keep inviting.
As you can see, the Diversity Committee has come a very long way in a very short period of time. Our success, thankfully, has created more leadership opportunities in this committee and DRI for our members. Help us identify our next leaders. If you are interested in being at the forefront of DRI’s diversity efforts, please contact anyone on our steering committee—the names are listed on the DRI website—there is plenty of work that needs to be done to truly make DRI the diverse Voice of the Defense Bar. We look forward to hearing from you.