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The @LawSocietyLSO mandates Equality, Diversity & Inclusion training for lawyers. This is important. As I did my courses, I was reminded of the times I experienced something (+ & -) that is relevant to the subject. I share some below. Please add your stories. 1/ #LawTwitter
Lesson: don’t stereotype
EG: I was mistaken for a lawyer’s assistant by a lawyer I didn’t work with. The other lawyer, horrified, corrected him so I didn’t have to.
EG: I was mistaken for another brown lawyer at work multiple times. I had to keep explaining I wasn’t her.
2/
EG: I was mistaken for a lawyer’s assistant by a lawyer I didn’t work with. The other lawyer, horrified, corrected him so I didn’t have to.
EG: I was mistaken for another brown lawyer at work multiple times. I had to keep explaining I wasn’t her.
2/
Lesson: be an ally & call out discriminatory comments or actions against minorities
EG: a new client asked I be removed from the case bc, based on my name, I might be a secret agent for the country he was suing. The partner set him straight, saying it was baseless & wrong.
3/
EG: a new client asked I be removed from the case bc, based on my name, I might be a secret agent for the country he was suing. The partner set him straight, saying it was baseless & wrong.
3/
Lesson: Don’t “other” people who are different than you
EG: a senior HR person kept asking me at a work lunch why I didn’t drink. I said I just didn’t & then ignored her repeated Qs. I didn’t complain to the management but now realize I should’ve. It was none of her business. 3/
EG: a senior HR person kept asking me at a work lunch why I didn’t drink. I said I just didn’t & then ignored her repeated Qs. I didn’t complain to the management but now realize I should’ve. It was none of her business. 3/
Lesson: mentor BIPOC by giving them opportunities to learn and network
EG: My managers took me to visit field offices to learn about concerns on the ground. My ADM took me to senior management meetings & invited me to sit at the table. I’ve always done so ever since. 4/
EG: My managers took me to visit field offices to learn about concerns on the ground. My ADM took me to senior management meetings & invited me to sit at the table. I’ve always done so ever since. 4/
Lesson: be inclusive by pronouncing people’s names correctly. Ask if unsure.
EG: I was called “Ishtar” by the chair of a group for two years even though I corrected him a few times.
EG: My name is usually mispronounced on-air even if I send an audio of how to say my name. 5/
EG: I was called “Ishtar” by the chair of a group for two years even though I corrected him a few times.
EG: My name is usually mispronounced on-air even if I send an audio of how to say my name. 5/
Lesson: Be an ally by speaking up if someone is being bullied/harassed
EG: at a senior meeting, the same Chair as #5, mocked the way I spoke. I was the youngest & only POC among ~20 men & 2 women. No one said anything. A few men even laughed. Today, I would’ve called him out. 6/
EG: at a senior meeting, the same Chair as #5, mocked the way I spoke. I was the youngest & only POC among ~20 men & 2 women. No one said anything. A few men even laughed. Today, I would’ve called him out. 6/
