Diversity and Race: Why Is It Important for the Legal Community?

Over many years, both in-house departments and law firms have been working to improve diversity within their own organizations. Given the importance of diversity & inclusion in the legal profession, however, it is critical that law firms and in-house counsel work together to accelerate the pace of progress. The purpose of this panel is to talk about how in-house legal departments and law firms can partner to make a true impact on diversity & inclusion in the legal field, what’s working both from the in-house and law firm perspectives, and where we still need to do more to move the needle.

The Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct recognize that part of a lawyer’s duty to maintain competence includes keeping abreast of the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology. This segment examines this ethics requirement and provides an overview of what attorneys must do in order to comply. The segment focuses specifically on computer security, cloud technology, and other major current risks associated with the use of technology in the practice of law. Examine the issue of cybersecurity and try to provide a baseline for how best to interpret the standard of “reasonability” under the Rules of Professional Conduct and ISBA Professional Conduct Advisory Opinions on electronic information and security. The second half of the program includes “deep dive” a systematic review of a comprehensive computer security checklist for lawyers. Attendees should leave with a broad understanding of fundamental computer security concepts and a practical framework within which to apply these ideas throughout your devices and networks.

Positive Psychology: Proactive Tools and Techniques - Session 1
(1.0 MHSA Professional Responsibility credit)
The aspiration to “feel better” is admirable but shortsighted, especially for lawyers. We face formidable societal and organizational obstacles to achieving a sense of well-being. The factors that make lawyers a vulnerable population, in combination with mainstream messaging about positivity, create a counterproductive and harmful approach to lawyer well-being. This workshop uses brain science and interactive techniques to challenge participants’ preconceived notions of positive thinking, depression, and anxiety, and explore how impactful their mindset truly is.