Twin Cities Diversity in Practice

In 2022, TCDIP gathered in-person more frequently and in greater numbers. After two years of modified programming, we brought back the Summer Alliance as a larger event to reconnect our legal community! Attendees participated in fun activities with their colleagues, families, and kids, including a behind the scenes tour of the Allianz Field soccer stadium. We were also able to reconvene our Leadership Council in person for the first time in two years. This event brought together General Counsels, Managing Partners, and senior leaders, with a focus on retention and advancement of attorneys of color. Leaders were introduced to the Eliminating Barriers study, which examined why attorneys of color choose to leave or stay with an employer. Senior leaders engaged with the findings and worked collaboratively to envision how the actionable steps revealed in the study could be implemented in their organizations. In 2022, TCDIP began a formal strategic planning process that deeply engaged our Members, Board, staff, law schools, and other key stakeholders. In spring 2022, with key guidance from consultants at Parenteau Graves, the Strategic Planning Committee facilitated deep listening sessions with Member Representatives from TCDIP Member Organizations, diverse professionals at law firms and corporate legal departments, and members of the Emerging Leaders Group. Participants were asked where they thought TCDIP could have the most impact, where we are currently making an impact, and where we can do better. In fall 2022, TCDIP designed the Eliminating the Barriers Employers Face in Retaining Attorneys of Color study to understand barriers employers face in retaining attorneys of color in the Twin Cities. The consulting firm Parenteau Graves conducted the study, interviewing 38 attorneys of color who are working or have recently worked in the Twin Cities. These interviews were confidential, so participants were able to be candid, sharing their experiences and making concrete suggestions for transforming legal workplaces to better retain and advance attorneys of color. In 2022, TCDIP hosted our largest class of TCDIP 1L Clerks. Over 38 law school students of color from across the country worked at law firms and corporate legal departments and gained valuable work experience. TCDIP provided the students with wrap-around support, including mentoring, professional coaching, networking opportunities and a professional development workshop. Our recruiting efforts continued to strengthen with another successful Minnesota Minority Recruitment Conference in 2022. We had 31 employers interview 71 law students from across the country. MMRC is designed to introduce law students from various backgrounds to employers from across the legal industry in Minnesota.