We are excited to announce that the new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion section of our website is LIVE! |
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For those who may be interested, the Rhode Island Bar Association’s Diversity and Inclusion Task Force created this Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) Pledge and invites lawyers, law firms, legal departments, legal services, and law-related organizations to join RIBA in its commitment to increase diversity in the legal profession. Those who participate in the Pledge will be acknowledged on the RIBA website for their good faith efforts. For more information and to take the pledge, click the button below! |
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There is still time to join the RIBA
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee!
The DEI Committee will meet regularly to discuss DEI-related matters of interest to the membership and to make recommendations which will foster a sense of equity and inclusion among members. The Committee will also propose DEI-related CLE and Annual Meeting programming, networking events with affinity legal organizations, and resources for membership.
Bar members interested in joining the proposed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee are asked to contact Rhode Island Bar Association Member Services Coordinator Madeline Benner by email: mbenner@ribar.com
Anyone who signed up for the DEI Committee in 2021-2022 will carry over into 2022-2023.
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Ada Sawyer Centennial Booklet |
The Ada Sawyer Centennial Celebration Memorial Booklet has been updated with more stories about our state's first women! |
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Ada Sawyer is the first woman to pass the bar exam and be admitted to practice law in Rhode Island. In 2020, Ada's 100th anniversary of passing the bar exam came and went without celebration due to COVID restrictions.
This year, we will be inducting Ada into the RI Heritage Hall of Fame at the Rhode Island Bar Association Annual Meeting on Friday, June 24th at the RI Convention Center. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Jennifer is an associate with Moses Ryan Ltd. practicing civil litigation within employment discrimination, contract disputes, personal injury, and tax appeals. She graduated summa cum laude as an undergraduate at Roger Williams University in Business Management with a minor in political science. She earned her Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law. While in law school, Jennifer externed with the Honorable Edward C. Clifton, assisted the Pro Bono Collaborative and participated in the Jessup International Moot Court.
She is admitted to practice law in Rhode Island, Masschusetts, Connecticut and the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. She is an active member of the Rhode Island Bar Association as a member of the House of Delegates and has been involved in the Superior Court Bench Bar Committee, Probate Committee, and Annual Meeting Planning Committee. She is excited to participate in the newly formed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee after being a member of the Task Force. Jennifer is also an active member of the Rhode Island Women’s Bar Association and a member of its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Wanting to broaden her knowledge of social justice issues, she started a book club with friends and family. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and son, and all their many extracurricular activities.
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2022 Annual Meeting Workshops Related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |
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The RI Bar Association is committed to presenting a wide variety of CLE
programming to meet the needs of our diverse membership. As such, at this year's meeting we have the pleasure of bringing you a diverse assortment of DEI related CLE's
at the 2022 Annual Meeting. Check out some of our highlights below!
This year, the Thursday morning plenary speakers are the Honorable Melissa A. Long, Associate Justice of the RI Supreme Court, the Honorable Linda Rekas Sloan, Associate Justice of the RI Superior Court, the Honorable Lia N. Stuhlsatz, Associate Justice of the RI Family Court, and attorneys Hamza Chaudary and Josh Xavier. The panel will discuss the value of multiculturalism and representation in all aspects of the legal system, including the legal workforce and Rhode Island Judiciary, and address how organizations can attract and retain employees from a broad range of backgrounds.
Our Friday afternoon plenary presentation features award-winning trial attorneys Keith and Dana Cutler, partners in the law firm of James W. Tippin & Associates in Kansas City, Missouri, and co-judges on the two-time Emmy-nominated, nationally syndicated daytime television courtroom show “Couples Court with the Cutlers.” Their program will discuss some of the things that can get in the way of Authentic Inclusiveness, like micro-aggressions, implicit bias, and good intentions gone bad. Keith and Dana will keep it authentic and entertaining as they help us all navigate diversity and inclusiveness.
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Top (left to right): Hon. Melissa A. Long, RI Supreme Court Associate Justice, Hon. Linda Rekas Sloan, RI Superior Court Associate Justice, and Hon. Lia N. Stuhlsatz, RI Family Court Associate Justice.
Bottom (left to right): Hanza Chaudary, Esq., Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C., and Josh Xavier, Esq., Partridge Snow & Hahn
Below (left to right): Keith Cutler and Dana Cutler, James W. Tippin & Associates
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Lawyers as Equitable Employers and Leaders
Thursday June 23rd, 10:45pm - 12:00pm
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In this workshop, the speakers address how lawyers can create and support a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. The speakers also discuss equitable hiring, equitable HR policies and procedures, reasonable accommodations, accessibility, ADA compliance, handling of complaints of discrimination and harassment, and achieving an inclusive workplace. |
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Kara DiPaola, Esq,
Office of the General Treasurer
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Chip Muller, Esq.,
Muller Law, LLC
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Simone N. Tubman, J.D., Director, Institutional Discrimination/Bias, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Office of Institutional Discrimination + Title IX at RI School of Design |
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Respectfully and Ethically Communicating with Clients
Thursday June 23rd, 1:30pm - 2:45pm
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In this workshop, the speakers utilize hypotheticals drawn from various resources, glossaries, and phrasing guides to update attendees as to what language is appropriate and inclusive when addressing LGBTQ individuals or groups. The speakers also discuss an attorney’s ethical and professional obligation to address people by using the labels/names/words that each person has endorsed as their own. This workshop allows attorneys of every generation to speak with whomever walks through the door or appears across the aisle and allow those potential clients and colleagues to feel safe and respected. |
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James J. Bagley, Esq., (he/they), The Law Office of Leonard M. Cordeiro |
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Christopher J. Gerlica, Esq., (he/his), Roger Williams University School of Law |
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The Britney Effect: Protect Decision-Making Rights with Supported Decision-Making, A New Alternative to Guardianship in RI
Friday June 24th, 10:45pm - 12:00pm
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This program reviews what supported decision-making (SDM) and how it works as a possible alternative to guardianships in Rhode Island. The program reviews what the law is, success stories using SDM, and how it can impact daily life. Supported decision making (SDM) is a tool that allows people with disabilities to retain their decision-making capacity by choosing supporters to help them make choices. |
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Eliminating Bias from Your Writing
Friday June 24th, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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In this workshop, the panelists discuss how and why lawyers should write in a manner that is inclusive and eliminates unconscious biases and microaggressions from documents they prepare. Panelists will discuss updated and respectful terminology for referring to individuals and groups, proper pronoun usage, and person-first focus. Panelists also discuss how and why lawyers should review policies, procedures, regulations, and other documents to suit the needs of a diverse audience. |
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Articles
Amanda Robert
Amanda Robert
Matt Reynolds
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The State of Black Rhode Island Project Team
A collaboration between a wide array of Black community members throughout Rhode Island and faculty and students at Brown University have come together to conduct The State of Black Rhode Island Project. One component of this project is to produce a series of reports that address a variety of important topics that impact Black Rhode Islanders.
The team has written a report about homeownership amongst Black Rhode Islanders. In this brief report are statistics showing recent data about Black homeownership, barriers and facilitators to homeownership, and policy recommendations. The full report is featured in a Boston Globe article.
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The CLE office is currently seeking speakers for DEI related programming. If you would like to submit an idea for an upcoming seminar or you would like to participate as an instructor for a future CLE program, please click here to fill out and submit a proposal form. The CLE office welcomes and encourages presenters of diverse backgrounds in regard to race, color, religion, country of ancestral origin, handicap, age, sex, or sexual orientation. Please contact CLE Director Tanya Nieves at tnieves@ribar.com or by phone at 401-421-5740 with any questions.
Be sure to check out the CLE calendar often to see all our upcoming programs!
DEI On-Demand Programs:
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