How to Embed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Principles into Recruiting Systems at Midsize Law Firms

Please join us for part 2 of a 3 part roundtable series

Date & Time: January 21, 2021 from 11AM to 12:30PM EST
Location: This event is online. The link to attend will be in your confirmation email.

Organizations in the top quartile of cultural/ethnic diversity among executives were 36% more likely to achieve above-average profitability and top quartile of a gender diversity among top leaders were more likely to outperform on profitability—25% more likely for gender diverse executive teams and 28% more likely for gender-diverse boards. Recruiting processes and systems are key in efforts to increase representation of executives from underrepresented groups. Join this session to learn how to attract candidates from underrepresented groups and remove bias from your recruiting systems for junior lawyers and lateral hiring. Panelists include Dawn Siler-Nixon, Partner from Ford Harrison, and Douglas K. Burrell, Partner from Drew Eckl.

Featuring

Dawn Siler-Nixon

Partner, Ford Harrison

Dawn is the Firm's Diversity and Inclusion Partner with responsibility for the oversight and implementation of the Firm's Diversity Strategic Plan. As the Firm's Diversity Partner, Dawn is a member of the Management Group and the Firm's seven (7) person Executive Committee, the Firm's highest governing body that sets policy and compensation. Dawn is recognized as a Certified Diversity Executive through the National Institute for Diversity Certification.
Douglas K. Burrell

Partner, Drew Eckl

In addition to his role as co-chair of the Firm’s Diversity Committee, Douglas serves the legal profession in a variety of capacities. For several years he has been an active member of DRI, a national membership organization for civil defense attorneys, in-house counsel, and insurance companies. In 2018, Douglas was chosen to serve as the DRI Second Vice President. In 2021, Douglas will serve as President of DRI.
Jessica Gangjee

Director, Attorney Recruitment and Professional Development, Burns White

As Director of Attorney Recruitment and Professional Development at Burns White, Jessica Gangjee leads the firm’s talent management initiatives. She is also responsible for all aspects of attorney hiring, integration and assimilation as well as the development and implementation of professional development programming. Jessica partners with senior management to support the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Women’s Initiative Committee. She also works with other Burns White initiatives including mentorship, leadership training and strategic planning. Jessica regularly provides strategic advice to firm leadership to ensure initiatives allow the firm to recruit and retain the most talented attorneys and are integrated and aligned to support the firm’s strategic agenda.
Kansas Gooden

Shareholder, Boyd & Jenerette

KANSAS R. GOODEN, a Board Certified Appellate Specialist and AV Rated Attorney, is a shareholder at the law firm of Boyd & Jenerette, PA and serves as the firm’s general counsel and appellate practice group leader. She is based in Miami, Florida and appears in state and federal courts throughout Florida. She has extensive experience handling all types of civil appellate proceedings, including extraordinary writs and plenary appeals. She also provides trial and litigation support to attorneys. Kansas is highly involved in state and local bar associations and has served in many leadership roles. Presently, she is the Secretary of the Florida Bar’s Appellate Practice Section, serves on the Florida Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization and Education Committee, and is on the Board of Directors of the Third District Court of Appeal Historical Society. She also is the President-Elect of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association and chairs its amicus committee. Previously, she was the 2019-2020 chair of the Florida Bar’s Appellate Board Certification Committee and was the Continuing Legal Education Chair for the Florida Bar’s Appellate Practice Section. Kansas is a frequent lecturer and travels the state presenting seminars and presentations on various topics to those in the legal and insurance industries.