Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Legal Profession

A pre-recorded streaming VIDEO replay of the March 2024 webcast, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Legal Profession.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in 2024 is an important topic for lawyers in Virginia. This course meets the needs of lawyers to understand this field and to be able to represent clients who have DEI programs. Further, it guides lawyers and law firms to develop and manage their own DEI programs for the betterment of their firms. DEI programs have the capacity when operated within the law and managed well to expand access to justice, as well as improve the quality and diversity of lawyers in Virginia.

This course is consistent with the unwavering commitment of the Virginia State Bar to DEI. It also includes a discussion of the work of the office of Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion (DOI) of the Virginia Department of Human Resources. This course will not delve into the politics of DEI and DOI, but rather covers the substance of DEI/DOI as a key element of the legal profession in 2024 and beyond.

• Learn about how DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs work and why they often fail
• Hear current real-world examples of law firms in Virginia actively running successful DEI programs
• Examine the relationship between successful DEI programs and both access to justice and Rule 1.1, competencies needed to practice law in Virginia
• Gather information about how the Virginia government currently handles the issue of diversity through its Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion legislatively mandated office headed by Martin Brown

Faculty

Debra Alexander, Principal, Alexander Consulting and Training, Inc. / Alexandria 

• Grew up in Grambling, Louisiana.
• Consultant, Trainer, Coach focusing on individual, team, leadership and organizational performance.
• Completed graduate and post-graduate studies at American University, Columbia University, University of St. Thomas and the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland and holds an undergraduate degree from Hampton University.
• DEI strategist and advisor to major corporations, nonprofits and educational organizations. Former owner of the Moton Conference Center in Virginia, member of the faculty of Georgetown University in the Organizational Consulting and Change Leadership program.

Debra Alexander is a consultant, trainer, and coach focusing on individual, team, leadership, and organizational performance. She is a DEI strategist and advisor to major corporations, nonprofits, and educational organizations. She is a former owner of the Moton Conference Center in Virginia, and member of the faculty of Georgetown University in the Organizational Consulting and Change Leadership program.

Ms. Alexander grew up in Grambling, Louisiana. She completed graduate and post-graduate studies at American University, Columbia University, University of St. Thomas and the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland and holds an undergraduate degree from Hampton University. 

Herbert R. Rubenstein, HR Rubenstein Law / Lexington

Herbert R. Rubenstein, the author of Leadership for Lawyers (American Bar Association, 2nd ed., 2008), has taught at six universities and has taught online for more than 20 years for many organizations including Thomsen Reuters, Bisk Education, CPA Academy, Virginia Law Foundation, and others. He has been an ethics consultant to lawyers, nonprofit organizations, educational organizations, government agencies, and companies.

Mr. Rubenstein is a Phi Beta Kappa/Omicron Delta Kappa graduate of Washington and Lee University, a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar to the University of Bristol, Bristol, England, where he received a graduate diploma in Social Sciences, was an LBJ Scholar and received his Master of Public Affairs degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs of the University of Texas at Austin, and received his law degree from Georgetown University in 1982 and became a member of the Virginia Bar on October 4, 1984.

Mr. Rubenstein worked previously for the National Academy of Sciences, the American Institutes for Research, The US Department of Health and Human Services, and the Law Offices of Coroneos and Rubenstein. He is also the Co-Founder of The Web3 Company, LLC, a Virginia company, and a PGA member.  He graduated Phi Beta Kappa/Omicron Delta Kappa from Washington and Lee University in 1970 and was captain of the golf team.