Economic Incentives for Diversity
Diversity and inclusion are laudable goals, but how can change be created in an industry driven by tradition and financial return? This interview explores the concept of using economic incentives and rigorous data to encourage diversity within the legal profession. The conversation also explores controversial topics such as diversity spin, partner compensation, and the impact on the legal profession of changes to affirmative action law currently being considered at the Supreme Court.
Aviva Will is the Co-Chief Operating Officer at Burford Capital and one of the architects behind Burford’s Equity Project (a $150,000,000 fund allocated exclusively for women and minority litigators). Keith Harrison is a partner and co-chair of Crowell & Moring’s Litigation Group and a member of the firm's Diversity Council. Aviva and Keith sit down with TalksOnLaw’s Joel Cohen to discuss putting money on the line to overcome inherent biases and structural disadvantages and strategies to encourage and grow diversity in the profession.
The Equity Project – The Equity Project is an award-winning initiative earmarking a $150 million pool of capital earmarked for financing commercial litigation and arbitration matters led by women and minority attorneys. It is an award-winning initiative to improve diversity in the business of law by providing an economic incentive for change in leadership in commercial litigation and arbitration.
2020 Equity Project Study: General Counsel & the Gender Gap in Law – a sourvey of corporate general counsels on legal diversity.
