Diversity & Inclusion

ABA Forum on Construction Law’s Fall Meeting Explores Inclusion, Diversity, and Professionalism in the Construction and Legal Industries

I was fortunate to attend the ABA Forum on Construction Law’s fall meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from October 23 – 25, 2019.   The program titled Building a Better Construction Industry through Inclusion, Diversity, and Professionalism was a first for both the Forum on Construction Law and the ABA.  Never before had any ABA group dedicated an entire meeting to the topics of inclusion, diversity, and professionalism.  The following ABA diversity commissions and coalitions co-sponsored the event: the Commission on Women in the Profession, the Coalition on Racial and Ethnic Justice, the Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities, the Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, the Commission on Disability Rights, and the Council for Diversity in the Educational Pipeline.

The speakers in the nine plenary sessions provided a wealth of information, insight, and practical tips to both lawyers and construction professionals alike.  Here are some of the highlights:

Diversity and Inclusion Problems Can

Pierce Atwood Attorneys Attending Summit on Diversity and Inclusion in the Construction Industry

Pierce Atwood Attorneys, Tom Dunn and Katie Kohm, plan to attend a first-ever summit focused on understanding the business implications of inclusion, diversity, and professionalism across the construction industry.  The meeting is a perfect opportunity for in-house counsel, risk managers, compliance managers, diversity officers, and other leaders of companies involved in the construction industry to engage in this important discussion.  The American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law is putting on the meeting in Philadelphia later this month on October 23-25th.  As can be seen in the program brochure, the topics discussed are relevant to legal and business professionals involved in the construction community.  In addition to an assessment of diversity and inclusion, topics include how those issues relate to risk management, pay equity, immigration, DBE programs, negotiations/ADR, leadership, and rules of ethics.  The program will benefit any lawyer advising companies, any labor/employment lawyer, and any in-house counsel for construction, design, insurance.

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