Using DEI To Level-Up The Legal Department: Valerie Portillo, Diversity Lab (E28)

Valerie Portillo leads the legal department and law firm integration at Diversity Lab, the organization that pioneered DEI for the legal profession. The Diversity Lab convened a hackathon of legal leaders at Stanford Law School, where the Mansfield Certification was developed. This framework has become "the" standard to measure diversity and inclusion at more than 300 law firms nationwide. In this episode, we dive into the Mansfield Certification and how to engage with law firms on staffing and advancement for all attorneys. However, DEI is more than a buzzword. In this conversation, the components of a DEI program are good business. By prioritizing transparency, broadening the playing field for stretch projects, and being intentional about work assignments, the General Counsel and other in-house leaders deliver a better working environment and a better bottom line. And it's no coincidence that Valerie's pump-up song is "Level Up" by Ciara.