Welcome to the Jungle: A Lawyer's Guide to Navigating Professional Responsibility and An Evening at The Zoo

We are combining our traditional Celebration Event evening with a new afternoon seminar which will offer in-house attendees sought-after IL PR Credits in Mental health and Diversity & Inclusion.  You won’t want to miss this educational opportunity followed by an indoor-outdoor party featuring fine food and drink. 

AGENDA

1:00 PM     REGISTRATION

1:30 PM     LEADING COMPASSIONATELY FOR LAWYERS

The Leading Compassionately for Lawyers presentation aims to highlight the importance of investing in the well-being of others, provide tangible takeaways as to how to do so with colleagues, and provide insight into recognizing warning signs for mental health distress. Working in the law can sometimes feel overwhelming, isolating, and utterly exhausting. Over time, symptoms of emotional disconnection, cynicism and burnout can arise if we do not actively withstand the challenges of this unique environment.  In this program, lawyers will gain a deeper understanding of the impact of compassionate leadership on collegiality, professionalism, performance, morale and overall success. The presentation will delve into practical techniques and strategies for cultivating compassion to enhance their own leadership styles and actionable ways to show up for others. By learning how to use supportive strategies and implement systems of support, lawyers will understand how leading compassionately can improve mental health not only for themselves but for others in the legal profession.   
 
PRESENTER
Ali Schroer, MSW, LCSW, Mental Scope Consulting, Well-Being Advisor and Therapist at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP

2:30 PM     BREAK

2:45 PM     IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE! HOW CORPORATE COUNSEL CAN NAVIGATE THROUGH THE EVOLVING LANDSCAPE OF DEI

In this session, we will look at DEI through the lens of Corporate America, and provide insights into best practices corporate counsel can implement to promote DEI in their own organizations, create a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and positive environment, and protect their organizations from

•    Overview of the past, present, and future of DEI in the United States and the world
•    Legal impacts that educational, governmental, and other non-corporate legal decisions have on businesses
•    Best practices to foster a more inclusive workplace, promote DEI initiatives, and keep a company DEI compliant

PRESENTERS
Yemi Akisanya, Vice President− Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and People Experience, Axon
Albert Heng, Counsel, Intellectual Property, Eversheds Sutherland
Lance Phillips, Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions/Private Capital, Eversheds Sutherland

3:45 PM     BREAK

4:00 PM     THE POWER OF MINDFULNESS:  AN EXPERIENCE

Join us for an experiential learning session on what mindfulness is— including the neuroscience behind how it changes the brain and positively impacts physiological, mental and emotional health. Learn how various mixed modality mindfulness practices benefit your professional effectiveness as an attorney and your personal wellbeing. Participants will learn 8 different mindfulness-based practices to integrate into their legal practice, elevating professional outcomes.  We will begin in a large group and then walk to three learning stations inside the zoo.  

•    Understand what mindfulness is and how it works scientifically and functionally, elevating one’s legal practice and mental health.
•    Understand how and when to deploy specific mindfulness exercises into an attorney's practice to:
    o    manage reactivity and emotionally charged situations skillfully through manipulation of the parasympathetic nervous system
    o    expand perspective in the midst of stress to skillfully navigate legal arguments
    o    improve active listening skills using present moment attention, elevating connection, understanding and outcomes in client, counsel or judicial relationships
    o    expand attentional control and mental clarity to improve insights in oral and/or written arguments
•    Realize the power of neuroplasticity and the importance of integrating mixed modality practices into attorney practice, benefiting professional outcomes and personal wellbeing.

Presenters will include team members from Inseus with Founder Ashley Nelson.  Program developed by Ashley Nelson and Christine Binotti, Lead Counsel, Employment Law, Motorola Solutions, Inc.

THE CELEBRATION
5:15 – 8:30 PM

Enjoy an array of hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and collegial networking under the summer sky on the loggias of historic Café Brauer at our Premier Chapter Event of the year.  

We will present the Thurgood Marshall Award of Excellence & the Member of the Year annual awards.