Littler Diversity & Inclusion Podcast

In this Littler Celebrates episode honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, host Devjani Mishra – a shareholder in Littler's New York office and co-chair of the firm's 'Ohana Affinity Group – is joined by Littler attorneys Brandon Mita and Lavanga Wijekoon, along with special guest Jeff Sun, Senior Director and Counsel at Exelixis, for a powerful conversation at the intersection of sports, identity, and the legal profession. Centered on the iconic 1989 French Open victory of Michael Chang, the discussion explores how this historic moment became a lasting symbol of perseverance, cultural identity, and quiet strength within the AANHPI community. Through personal reflections on immigration, belonging, resilience, and leadership, the episode highlights how lived experience and heritage continue to shape the way these legal professionals and allies lead, advocate, and inspire – both in and beyond the courtroom.

Margaret Parnell Hogan, co-chair of Littler's Women's Leadership Initiative and shareholder, speaks with Anna Curry Gualano, principal and Littler Learning Group director. They discuss Anna's journey, the women who have inspired her along the way, and how she, in turn, inspires many at the firm.

Emily Haigh, U.S. Army veteran and co-founder of Littler's Veterans Initiative, speaks with Littler attorneys Michael Kibbe, Caroline Lutz and Jonathan Heller, about how their military experience has had a positive impact on their legal practice.

When President Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential campaign last month and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Party's nominee, the move resulted in several historical firsts. It also placed a swift focus on intersectionality and identity politics as tensions mount in the final stretch of the 2024 election cycle. Littler Principal Cindy-Ann Thomas and her guests, University of North Carolina (Charlotte) Associate Chair of Communications Studies, Professor Debra C. Smith, and Littler Shareholder Bradford Kelley, explore: - The interplay of race, gender, and ethnicity for women in leadership and how they detract from meaningful conversations about suitability and competence; - Why and how topics like appearance, attire, voice pitch/tone, laughter, temperament, and likeability continue to persist so disproportionately for women; - The real meaning of “DEI Hire” and other coded terms; - How the perpetuation of inappropriate labels and evaluation criteria hinder progress for members of historically minoritized populations in key leadership roles – beyond the position of POTUS; - The role that the media and big tech ecosystem play in normalizing coded language, microaggressions, and stereotypes; - How biased messaging and beliefs about political candidates spill into workplaces; and - Possible guidelines – and guardrails - for implementing standards of conduct and handling discussions of politically diverse perspectives present in the workplace. This podcast offers an in-depth discussion about how and why an increasingly contentious election cycle is having such a taxing and divisive impact for so many.

Littler's Anna Curry Gualano is joined by her father, Ashley Curry, to discuss their advocacy work in Alabama to update the traditional accessibility symbol to one that is more inclusive and empowering.

In celebration of Pride Month, Littler shareholder Mattheus Stephens and associates Trevor Hardy and Jessica Wimsatt discuss their advocacy work for LGBTQIA+ individuals in their local communities. The group also highlights the importance of how being authentically you and sharing your story can help others find community and feel connected.

In continued celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Littler shareholder Alyesha Asghar speaks with associates Alan Persaud and Grace Waddell about their experience in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity's Pathfinders Program and the inclusive community of legal professionals they joined by participating.

In honor of this year's Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month theme “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation,” Littler associate Ed Tsui spoke with Littler shareholder, Lavanga Wijekoon, who shared how he has been able to advance his practice at the firm through innovation.

Littler Women's Leadership Initiative co-chair Margaret Parnell Hogan, interviews fellow Littler attorney Dionysia L. Johnson-Massie, about how respecting women in the workplace helps recruit and retain crucial talent, among other IE&D efforts.

As February comes to a close, we end our celebration of Black History Month with a podcast featuring Littler attorneys and authors in honor of this year's theme “African Americans and the Arts.” Littler attorney Karimah Lamar, has a thought-provoking conversation with fellow Littler attorneys Michael Wilder and Tiffany Obeng, who share their journey to becoming published authors and the influence it has had on their careers.

Since the United States Supreme Court issued its ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University and the University of North Carolina on June 29, 2023, striking down race-conscious admission processes in higher education, it has sent shock waves throughout the corporate community as business leaders consider the decision's potential impact on their own diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Littler Principal Cindy-Ann Thomas and her guest, Littler Shareholder Kim Carter, explore: - The real significance of SCOTUS' decision on the corporate sector - The challenges associated with language and terms associated with DEI initiatives - Strategies for reshaping and broadening the concept of “diversity” in screening and evaluating talent going forward - Business considerations for reinforcing commitments in this evolving space

In celebration of Disability Pride Month, Jennifer Duke, Littler Learning Group Director and attorney, talks with Anna Curry Gualano, Littler Principal and co-chair of the firm's Individuals with Disabilities affinity group, about the importance of disability inclusion and its impact in the workplace for both employers and employees.

As May comes to a close, we end our celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with the second of two podcasts that feature the personal stories of some of our ‘Ohana group attorneys. Littler attorney Brandon Mita has an inspiring conversation with fellow Littler attorneys Nicole LeFave , James Lee and Urvi Morolia about leading through community service, non-profits and pro bono organizations that make a difference in their communities.

In continued celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, Littler's Jennifer Maguire, Sarah Sorensen, and Daniel Kim discuss how their individual experiences in the U.S. Military – as a JAG officer, a military spouse, and an officer – shaped them as leaders, ultimately leading to careers in labor and employment law.

There has been a recent, dramatic rise in antisemitism in the United States. In this podcast, David Goldman, the Executive Director and General Counsel of Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco, shares his perspective on how this trend is impacting our communities and workplaces, and offers some practical insights as to how the development of a shared understanding, along with a combination of empathy and meaningful policy implementation, can contribute to a more respect-based coexistence as we move forward.

To celebrate the last week of Women's History Month, WLI co-chair Margaret Hogan (Denver), talks with three Littler associates who have shaped their legal careers in the area of traditional labor. Listen as Kameron Miller (Charleston), Ashton Hupman (Washington D.C.) and Brittany Stepp (Philadelphia) tell their stories of being women attorneys in a field that has traditionally been dominated by men.

As February comes to a close, Littler is capping off our celebration of Black History Month with a special podcast highlighting the voices of some of our Black attorneys. Kimberly Dobson (Long Island, NY) talks with fellow Littler attorneys, Kim Carter (San Diego, CA), Jason Byrd (New York City, NY), and Taylor Lawson (Memphis, TN) about how they've experienced – and seen the impact of – Black resistance in their personal and professional lives.

Emily Haigh, U.S. Army veteran and co-chair of Litter's Veterans Affinity Group, speaks with Littler attorneys William Anthony, Tracy Leidner, and Emily Arnett, who each have a family member currently serving in active duty.

As Pride Month comes to a close, we are celebrating with a very special podcast that features the personal stories and perspectives from two members of the Littler family. Littler Knowledge Management Counsel, Betsy Cammarata (GSC – Kansas City) talks with Littler alum, Bennett Kaspar-Williams (Corporate Counsel for Labor Relations at Amazon Studios) about: - The effective use of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to strengthen connections between employees and the employer - The benefits of thoughtful conversation about what it means to be transgender, evidence-based considerations, and avoiding oversimplification of complex and nuanced issues - How the deliberate perpetuation of misinformation hurts trans people and their families – among other topics

Employers are under the microscope from internal and external stakeholders to weigh in on myriad social issues and current events. To publish, or not to publish in each instance? That is the question. In this brief “podcast-ette,” Alyesha Asghar Dotson highlights the self-assessment that an employer ought to engage in before pressing that publish or print button.

Littler attorney, Judy Iriye (L.A. – Century City) talks with fellow Littler attorney, Kevin Yam (New York) and Littler alum, Fran Barbieri (Chief Counsel, Litigation and Employment at World Wide Technology in St Louis, Missouri), about personal experiences where they were able to overcome feelings of foreignness to achieve personal and professional success.

In honor and celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Littler attorneys William Ng (Long Island), Hinna Upal (Rochester) and Gregory Iskander (Walnut Creek) discuss how their journeys to leadership were built on promoting collaboration, finding community and creating opportunities for other diverse attorneys.

In the weeks leading up to and during the historic confirmation hearings of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, the first Black female justice was repeatedly recognized by a number of senators for being so “articulate” while being questioned. The “compliment” resonated at the same frequency as fingernails screeching across a chalkboard for many listeners. Littler Principal Cindy-Ann Thomas and her special guest, Professor Inte'a DeShields: -- Unpack the cultural context of the word “articulate” - Discuss why the word is viewed as a linguistic aggression for Blacks and African-Americans - Consider the word's relationship to “code-switching” and “racial bilingualism” - Provide a framework for analyzing the appropriateness of the word's use and more suitable alternatives - Examine different strategies for responding to the “compliment” – particularly in workplace scenarios where there is an interest in preserving the relationship This podcast offers an in-depth discussion about how and why such a seemingly straightforward word has such a bruising impact for so many.

Golf is one of the most significant informal business networks and approximately half of all women feel like their exclusion from these gateways is among the key challenges to reaching the highest echelons of corporate leadership. As a prelude to the 2022 edition of the “Masters Season,” Littler Principal Cindy-Ann Thomas explores how enduring barriers in recreational golf impact meaningful access and equity gains for women in corporate America. With nationally recognized LPGA leader and “Top 50 Instructor in the U.S.” Dana Rader as her guest, you will hear an engaging conversation on topics that include: • An exploration of the business advantages that can flow from golf • Reasons why exclusionary practices have legally and culturally been allowed to persist within the sport • Tips for how women can overcome the external and internal obstacles to participating more meaningfully • Action steps that golf industry insiders can take to advance the ball for female golfers • Strategies that business leaders can take to level the playing field for businesswomen • A “Gentleman's Guide” to including golf for mentoring and networking with aspiring businesswomen in a post-#MeToo era • An assortment of entertaining and inspirational tales from the “Forward Tees”

In this episode of our Women's History Month podcast series, Conversations with Women, Melissa Cee, Littler's Chief Talent Officer talks with three Littler attorneys – Lori Brown, Angela Healy, and Lisa Kathumbi – who recently rejoined the firm and how their experiences were shaped by the women who supported their individual journeys.

In this episode of our Women's History Month podcast series, Conversations with Women, Jacqueline Polito (Rochester) talks with two special Littler alumnae, Meyling Ly Ortiz, Managing Counsel at Toyota, and Eboneé Lewis, Associate General Counsel at BD, a global medical technology company. Sharing personal stories of support, Mey and Eboneé provide their perspectives on the importance of elevating – and being elevated by – their female colleagues every day in the workplace.

When President Biden revealed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his nominee to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, history was made. If her nomination is successful, Judge Jackson will be the first Justice in the Court's 233-year history who is a Black woman. Littler Principal Cindy-Ann Thomas and her special guest, the Honorable Bernice Bouie Donald, a federal judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, explore: - Riveting reflections from Judge Donald's own personal journey as a pioneer in U.S. judicial history - Why diversity on SCOTUS today is so critical for ensuring public trust in the judicial system and for all Americans' rights - The most significant challenges that jurists face due to the complicated intersection of race and gender and why Black women have not benefitted equally from women's movements - Strategies for female jurists of color in managing bias, invisibility, and micro-invalidations in the profession - The role of law schools, law firms, and the judicial system in making sure that this historical moment repeats itself - Judge Donald's suggestions for female attorneys of color who may have their own ambitions of donning “the black robes” Tune in to this podcast to hear an in-depth discussion with Judge Donald about the significance of this momentous nomination to the Supreme Court.

In the second of a two-part podcast celebrating Black History Month, Littler associates Jason Byrd (New York) and Jo Gbujama (San Francisco) talk with licensed clinical psychologist and author, Dr. Adia Gooden, about the interpersonal journey of Black health and wellness, and techniques for navigating everyday issues.

In the first of a two-part podcast celebrating Black History Month, Littler associates Jason Byrd (New York) and Jo Gbujama(San Francisco) talk with licensed clinical psychologist and author, Dr. Adia Gooden, about the impact of systemic health inequity on Black Americans, and the importance of self-advocacy and being heard when it comes to resolving health issues.

As a follow-up to last week's podcast about a proposed law to ban private companies from delivering diversity or discrimination-prevention training that inflicts any “guilt,” “anguish,” or “discomfort” due to historic wrongs, this episode explores the implications for employers. Littler Principal Cindy-Ann Thomas and her guests, Lori A. Brown, Littler Shareholder and Andrea Cisco, Chief Operating Officer of the Future Work Institute: - Discuss the socio-cultural factors in the national clamor for “guilt-free” learning zones - Consider the benefits of “discomfort” for effective learning initiatives - Explore the potential challenges that such mandates pose for companies seeking to preserve their Faragher-Ellerth defense to hostile work environment claims - Identify the steps that employers should take to safeguard their current anti-discrimination training programs from mounting “discomfort” claims - Share additional strategies that business leaders can take to resist an increasing call for such orders

In case you missed it, legislation designed to prohibit public schools and private businesses from inflicting any “guilt,” “anguish” or “discomfort” due to historic wrongs related to race or sex during diversity or anti-discrimination training was introduced in Florida last month. While the bill – which is being promoted as a move to protect “individual freedoms” – is a few stages away from becoming law, the move to ban discomfort is becoming an increasingly familiar refrain for learning initiatives across the country. Littler Principal Cindy-Ann Thomas and her guest from Flagler University, Professor J. Michael Butler, address diversity and discomfort as they: - Examine the socio-political and theoretical challenges of “eliminating” discomfort from the uncomfortable facts of history and the Civil Rights movement - Discuss “equity” as a tipping point for race relations in the U.S. - Consider the dangers of suppressing historical realities that make us uncomfortable - Contemplate the modern-day purpose of “Black History Month” in light of enduring truths about racial equity and discrimination - Explore how the mounting focus on individual sensitivities is disrupting meaningful learning experiences and initiatives on race, equity, and social justice.

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close this week, Littler Shareholder and Reunión Co-Chair Mel Cole (San Francisco) and Shareholder Anne Sanchez LaWer (San Jose) discuss their experiences with the Spanish language and the ways in which learning it – and not learning it – has impacted their individual connections to their Hispanic heritage.

In this podcast celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, Shareholder and Global Practice Leader Peter Susser talks with Juan Carlos Varela, Shareholder of Littler's Miami and Caracas offices, about becoming Littler's first international attorney, extending a labor and employment law practice beyond the United States, and how that helped him achieve the American dream.

There are many employee referral strategies out there, and the newest among them is leveraging the employee referral bonus program to build diversity. Such programs offer special – sometimes higher – bonuses to current employees for the referral of candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities. In this podcast, Alyesha Asghar Dotson discusses whether such bonuses potentially may expose employers to legal risks, and whether employers ought to use them even if they are legally sound and effective.

Vendor or supplier diversity programs can be a powerful tool in a company's Inclusion, Equity & Diversity toolbelt. But, like any tool, such programs can cause more harm than good if they are implemented haphazardly. In this podcast, Alyesha Asghar Dotson discusses the history, benefits, and challenges of implementing a successful vendor or supplier diversity program that pushes the needle forward regarding Inclusion, Equity & Diversity without embracing unnecessary legal risk.

In celebration of Pride Month, Jennifer Youpa (Dallas) interviews Shareholder and Littler Board Member Lee Schreter (Atlanta) about Lee's experience coming out as a lesbian woman, the challenges and opportunities of intersectionality, and strategies for improved inclusion, equity and diversity across the legal profession.

Kimberly Doud of Littler's Orlando office, Chelsea Lewis of Littler's Miami office and Kameron Miller of Littler's Charleston office present episode two of the Allied Behavior podcast series. Allied Behavior is focused on cultivating conscious conversations about inclusion, equity, diversity, and allyship in a corporate environment. In this episode, Kimberly, Chelsea and Kameron discuss Juneteenth, the factors shaping our perceptions about race, and how to foster meaningful interactions in the workplace.

Littler's Chief Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Officer Paul Bateman leads a conversation with Shareholders Dionysia Johnson-Massie (Atlanta), LaToi Mayo (Lexington), Lindbergh Porter (San Francisco), and Charles Wilson (Houston) as they discuss the trail to Juneteenth, its importance and how various acts impacted slavery in the U.S.

Racially offensive symbols, such as Confederate flags, displayed in the workplace can constitute evidence of a racially hostile work environment. In light of this and our ever-increasing efforts to foster harassment-free workplaces, Alyesha Asghar Dotson discusses how employers can prepare for and respond when potentially offensive symbols appear in their workplace.

In celebration of Pride Month, Whitney Williams (L.A. – Century City) and Michael Hui (San Francisco) discuss their personal experiences growing up gay in the Black and Asian American communities, what their similar upbringings have taught them about being an attorney, and how the Littler Pride affinity group is an important part of their lives at the firm.

In continued celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, Eddie Chyun (Cleveland), Lavanga Wijekoon (Chicago) and Aki Tanaka (Boston) share their stories of moving to the U.S., assimilating and adding to the American culture, and how their worldview, experiences, and background prepared them to practice law.

In support of AAPI Heritage Month, this podcast features Danielle Herring (Houston), Emilie Hammerstein (Pittsburgh) and Alan Sims (Downtown Los Angeles) as they explore their biracial identity and how that shapes the way they practice law.

Watershed events in recent years like the resurgence of Black Lives Matter and #MeToo have galvanized organizations to step up their commitments in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion space to gauge the “cultural temperature.” The persisting pandemic has raised the stakes. Accordingly, many companies seeking a roadmap for these efforts increasingly want to begin their journey with a snapshot of who’s in the mix and how they are feeling. Enter the “Diversity Questionnaire.” Littler Principal Cindy-Ann Thomas and her guest, Littler Shareholder Alyesha Dotson: • Examine the reasons for the growing trend towards soliciting employees about their demographics and commentary on DE&I • Outline the purpose and function of the “diversity questionnaire” • Provide guidance on issues associated with these instruments • Explore alternative measurement tools

A properly structured and implemented Affinity Group (AKA Employee Resource Group) is a powerful tool in an employer’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion tool belt. But, unwary employers may risk violating the National Labor Relations Act if they bargain with an Affinity Group. In this month’s podcast, Alyesha Asghar Dotson discusses the do’s and don’ts of interacting with an active Affinity Group within your organization.

Kimberly Doud of Littler’s Orlando office, Chelsea Lewis of Littler's Miami office and Kameron Miller of Littler's Charleston office present episode one of the Allied Behavior podcast series. Allied Behavior is focused on cultivating conscious conversations about inclusion, equity, diversity, and allyship in a corporate environment. In this episode, Kimberly, Chelsea and Kameron discuss the importance of effective allyship and provide suggestions to turn allyship into meaningful action in the workplace.

Littler Principal Cindy-Ann Thomas and her special guest, Pranam Lipinsk, a dedicated scholar of Generation Z and co-founder of Door of Clubs, delve into the (unofficial) rule book for attracting and retaining these young professionals. They will: - Crack the code on “Gen Z Speak” - Outline what’s really most important to members of the iGen - Pinpoint the actions employers should be taking to attract and retain these young professionals - Discuss how and why your current approach to DE&I may be failing them - Identify resources that may help Gen Z navigate a post-COVID world

An effective way to increase diversity hiring is to require diverse candidate slates for interviewing. Such slates include at least two diverse or women candidates in the pool of finalists. Employers should take heed, however, because there are limits to which a recruiter or a staffing agency can go in building such a slate. Alyesha Dotson discusses the avenues to intentionally recruit for diversity in a fair and smart manner to avoid violating antidiscrimination laws.

Margaret Parnell Hogan interviews Wendy Buckingham and Emily Haigh on how their experience as women in the U.S. military influenced their legal careers, and how their backgrounds shaped their outlook on gender equity in the workplace.

Jennifer Youpa and Nina Markey discuss the importance of advancing gender equity in the workplace, how access and representation are critical to creating opportunities for women, and how women can help each other achieve their professional goals.

One year into a global pandemic, with vaccinations underway, we are eagerly preparing for social “re-entry.” But how do the isolating behaviors that we have now perfected - in the interest of sheer survival - bode for the concept of “inclusion” in a post-pandemic world? Littler Principal Cindy-Ann Thomas and her guest, Enidio Magel, Managing Director and Founder of the Multicultural Institute, consider: - The estranging effects of the pandemic on people in our “New Normal.” - The future of “inclusion” after a year of practicing physical avoidance - Practical approaches for re-cultivating a culture of trust and connection.

Jeanine Conley Daves hosts a conversation between Tom Bender and Shin-I Lowe. They discuss the importance of mentorship, what a successful mentorship relationship looks like, and how male mentor influences are equally important to women.