Lights, Camera, Action: New Interactive PLI Program Engages DEI Learners
PLI is responding to the legal industry’s need for in-depth, actionable training on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with a groundbreaking two-hour CLE program, now available on-demand.
Michelle Silverthorn, founder and CEO of Inclusion Nation. Photo courtesy of PLI.
Picture this: You’ve been asked to advise the producers of a new TV drama set in a law firm on casting, storylines, and scripts. Sounds like fun — you have plenty of first-hand knowledge about how law firms and legal departments work. The catch? You need to help the show’s producers look for instances of bias, and help them make better choices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
A new program available on-demand from Practising Law Institute (PLI), Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession: Addressing Implicit Bias, gives you the opportunity to do this — while earning two hours of CLE credit.
Produced by the instructional design experts from PLI’s Interactive Learning Center, in consultation with Michelle Silverthorn, founder and CEO of Inclusion Nation, and other nationally recognized DEI leaders, the program presents everyday scenes involving hiring, work assignments, and promotions set in a fictional law firm. As they work through various modules, answering questions and weighing in on scenarios, participants are challenged to take the perspectives of attorneys to experience how microaggressions and implicit bias show up in the legal workplace.
Diversity & Inclusion – Hiring Committee: A New Take. Screenshot courtesy of PLI
In one example, a firm’s Hiring Committee meets to discuss the CVs of aspiring associates. Participants can track the comments these partners make about candidates’ backgrounds, and flag and discuss instances of possible bias. In other scenes, we see associates from underrepresented groups confront situations that negatively impact their work and career paths. Later in the program, participants learn how these stories might be rewritten. Other modules dive into concepts such as interrupting bias, offering actionable advice, and achievable goals.
“Data shows that the most effective DEI training requires learners to take the perspectives of others and to set goals to achieve diversity and inclusion. With that in mind, our experts designed a program that incorporates these methodologies, featuring scenarios that put learners in others’ shoes, and guidance on creating an action plan for their own DEI goals,” says PLI President Sharon L. Crane.
By inviting participants to get involved in scenarios and decisions, PLI has created “more than just another DEI training program,” says Michelle Silverthorn. She adds that the program “can also be a tool to help foster authentic discussions that can make a real difference in how organizations approach diversity, and how individuals relate to one another.”
Given its interactive and goal-setting components, the program works well for groups, facilitating lively discussions among colleagues. PLI offers the option of Groupcasts for Member organizations that want to stream the program as part of their DEI programming.
Diversity & Inclusion – A Day in the Life activity. Screenshot courtesy of PLI.
“We know that DEI is top-of-mind for law firms, and we are proud to add this one-of-a-kind program to PLI’s growing roster of DEI resources for the legal community,” Crane says. In addition to producing this content for lawyers, Crane notes, PLI is pursuing other opportunities to foster and promote diversity in the legal profession, including developing resources to serve DEI professionals within firms.
“This is an exciting time to be having these conversations,” Silverthorn comments. “The newest generation of lawyers entering the workforce is more attuned than ever to diversity, equity, and inclusion — and they expect their organizations to be, as well.”
With more states implementing Diversity-related CLE requirements, the program also offers a convenient way to stay in compliance. Program participants may earn up to two hours of Diversity, Inclusion, and Elimination of Bias credits, and California-licensed attorneys may fulfill their state’s new two-hour Elimination of Bias requirement, including the required one hour of Implicit Bias training, with successful completion of the program.
Ready to get started? Register to stream the program on-demand. Visit PLI’s website for a robust list of programs related to diversity, inclusion, and elimination of bias in law practice
Practising Law Institute is a nonprofit learning organization dedicated to keeping attorneys and other professionals at the forefront of knowledge and expertise. PLI is chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York and was founded in 1933 by Harold P. Seligson. The organization provides the highest quality, accredited, continuing legal and professional education programs in a variety of formats which are delivered by more than 4,000 volunteer faculty including prominent lawyers, judges, investment bankers, accountants, corporate counsel, and U.S. and international government regulators. PLI publishes a comprehensive library of Treatises, Course Handbooks, Answer Books and Journals also available through the PLI PLUS online platform. The essence of PLI’s mission is its commitment to the pro bono community. View PLI’s upcoming programs here.
