Conference Agenda

Thank you to our CMCP2020 Title Sponsors

Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis.

Apple Inc.

CMCP-2020-VCS

California Minority Counsel Program (CMCP) is an approved provider for California (CA) Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credit.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

9:00am – 10:00am

Welcome to CMCP2020 "Driving Diversity Forward"

Learn how CMCP’s first Virtual Business Conference will foster authentic online connections, build business opportunities, and help you develop knowledge and skills to enhance personal and career development for the future.

9:00am – 10:00am

Coffee with a General Counsel (raffle)

Conference registrants can enter for a chance to join a private 15-minute virtual meeting with a General Counsel. This singular opportunity gives raffle winners first-hand career insights from a leading GC.

Thanks to our sponsor:

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovski and Popeo, P.C.

10:00am – 10:15am

Opening Plenary

CMCP Board and Executive Director will offer remarks on “CMCP: Successes, Challenges and Advancing the Professional and Business Development of Attorneys of Color.” 

10:15am – 11:15am

GC Panel: Managing and Leading

Proven leaders in legal departments discuss effective leadership and management of organizations, guiding teams and individuals, navigating business challenges, and identifying and developing talent to create productive and inclusive workplaces.

CA MCLE: 1.0 hour

11:15am – 11:30am

Break

11:30am – 12:30pm

Breakout Sessions (Concurrent)

Session 1A

How to Succeed at Corporate Connections

How can you get the most benefit from a 15-minute interview? Join this roundtable discussion for best practices to get value from Corporate Connections. Past interviewers share how to research and prepare before the meeting, tips to making a great first impression (that includes virtual too) and an effective plan for follow-up. 

Thanks to our sponsor:

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Session 1B

Negotiation Skills for In-House Lawyers

For in-house lawyers engaged in advising internal business partners, managing outside counsel, litigating, or doing deals, strong negotiation skills are essential. This session will cover some fundamental principles for achieving excellent results in any negotiation, with attention given to the negotiation experiences of diverse lawyers.

CA MCLE: 1.0 hour

12:30pm – 12:50pm

Break

12:50pm – 1:20pm

Roundtables (Concurrent)

Roundtable A

"No Bosses Allowed"

Interactive Leadership, Career Development and Networking Roundtable for:

  • Law firm associates and other non-partners
  • In-house non-managers

Virtual Roundtable topics include:

  • Pursuing promotions, career development, and advancement during this new work-remote era.
  • Managing morale and stress during the current political climate and economy.
  • Can current political issues serve as a springboard to promote diversity in the workplace?

Roundtable B

"Know Your Peers" Practice Groups

How has professional life changed since the COVID-19 pandemic? Let’s discuss in virtual roundtables:

  • Practice and industry-specific problems caused by COVID-19 
  • Work-from-home policies 
  • Leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic to make career changes or enhance career opportunities
  • Preparing for similar interruptions in business

Thanks to our sponsor:

Alston & Bird LLP

1:20pm – 1:30pm

Break

1:30pm – 2:15pm

Keynote Address with California Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye with Q&A

2:15pm – 2:30pm

Break

2:30pm – 4:30pm

Women of Color Forum

Leading women lawyers of color spearhead conversations for connection, inspiration, and insight on managing professional life. 

Following the presentations, participants engage in facilitated discussion groups to explore the opportunities and issues faced by women of color in the law.

CA MCLE credit: 0.5 hour (Recognition and Elimination of Bias credit)

4:30pm – 5:15pm

Women of Color Reception

Thanks to our Women of Color Forum and Reception sponsor:

Hueston Hennigan LLP

Visa, Inc.


Wednesday, September 23, 2020

9:00am – 10:00am

Welcome to CMCP2020

9:00am – 10:00am

Coffee with a General Counsel (raffle)

Conference registrants can enter for a chance to join a private virtual meeting with a General Counsel. This singular opportunity gives raffle winners first-hand career insights from a leading GC.

Thanks to our sponsor:

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovski and Popeo, P.C.

10:00am – 11:00am

Breakout Sessions (Concurrent)

Session 2A

Branding, Confidence and Owning the Room

Do you present as capable, personable, and trustworthy? Our panel of successful attorneys will share diverse approaches to ensure you instill confidence and “leave a great impression.”

Attendees from law firms and legal departments will practice delivering their elevator pitch and developing a unique style.

CA MCLE: 1 hour

Session 2B

Hacking Potential Bias in Artificial Intelligence

The expanding use of AI and technology presents both ethical and technical challenges at the intersection of diversity, consumer rights, privacy and other issues.  Explore the implications and potential solutions with a panel of experts.

CA MCLE: 1.0 hour (includes 0.5 hour of Recognition and Elimination of Bias credit)

Session 2C

Law Firm Economics; How Money Gets Made and Shared

Understanding the basics of law firm economics – from origination credit and billable hours to collections and distributions – can help you advance your career and manage outside counsel spend.

CA MCLE: 1.0 hour (includes 0.25 hour of Recognition and Elimination of Bias credit)

11:00am – 11:30am

Break

11:30am – 12:15pm

Roundtables (Concurrent)

Roundtable A

"No Bosses Allowed"

Interactive Leadership, Career Development and Networking Roundtable for:

  • Law firm associates and other non-partners
  • In-house non-managers

Virtual Roundtable topics include:

  • Pursuing promotions, career development, and advancement during this new work-remote era.
  • Managing morale and stress during the current political climate and economy.
  • Can current political issues serve as a springboard to promote diversity in the workplace?

Roundtable B

"Know Your Peers" Practice Groups

How has professional life changed since the COVID-19 pandemic? Let’s discuss in virtual roundtables:

  • Practice and industry-specific problems caused by COVID-19 
  • Work-from-home policies 
  • Leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic to make career changes or enhance career opportunities
  • Preparing for similar interruptions in business

Thanks to our sponsor:

Alston & Bird LLP

12:15pm – 1:30pm

Break

1:30pm – 2:30pm

3rd Breakout Sessions (Concurrent)

Session 3A

Does Legal Cannabis Present a Level Playing Field for Minorities?

Minority entrepreneurs may face hurdles in obtaining capital and navigating the legalities of their cannabis business. Government officials determine who does and does not get licensed. And cannabis advocates struggle to educate decision-makers on the market realities while combating the black market. Are minorities competing on a level playing field?

CA MCLE: 1.0 hour (includes 0.5 hour of Legal Ethics credit and 0.5 hour of Recognition and Elimination of Bias credit)

Session 3B

Allyship is a Necessity, But It’s Not Easy: Here’s Why and How 

Learn how to establish and grow the relationships we call allyship to advance your career: strategies, lessons learned, and navigating needed but uncomfortable conversations:

  • Defining allyship
  • Recruiting allies
  • Our role in cultivating allies, including sharing basic expectations as well as “wish-fors”  
  • Understanding that effective allyship is more than just about words
  • The effects of intersectionality and bias

CA MCLE: 1.0 hour (includes 0.5 hour of Legal Ethics credit and 0.5 hour of Recognition and Elimination of Bias credit)

Session 3C

Keeping the Client: Make Sure They Think of You First

In-house and outside counsel offer insights on becoming an indispensable advisor, partner, and problem solver for your clients. 

Learn how to identify the organizational structure and key stakeholders of client groups, how they operate, and their expectations of legal counsel. Explore how to maintain and grow client relationships, and gain advice on effective communication with client contacts.

CA MCLE: 0.75 hour

2:30pm – 2:45pm

Break

2:45pm – 3:45pm

Corporate Connections Mixer
(In-House Counsel and Newer Partners Only)

The first-ever Corporate Connections Mixer is a special reception exclusively for in-house lawyers and minority partners elevated to partner in the last three years. The goal is to create opportunities for dialogue and connection in a more relaxed format than Corporate Connections interviews – and form relationships that will benefit all parties for years to come.

NOTE: Space is limited and registration for Corporate Connections is required.

3:45pm – 4:00pm

Break

4:00pm – 5:00pm

Legal Department Diversity Summit
(In-House Counsel Only)

In-house counsel meet for a roundtable discussion to explore collaboration for meaningful actions toward diversifying the legal profession. CMCP members and non-members welcome. 

5:00pm – 6:00pm

General Counsel Reception

Meet and mingle with Chief Legal Officers and General Counsel during a social reception of small groups hosted in virtual meeting rooms. 


Thursday, September 24, 2020

9:00am – 10:00am

Coffee with a General Counsel (raffle)

Conference registrants can enter for a chance to join a private virtual meeting with a General Counsel. This singular opportunity gives raffle winners first-hand career insights from a leading GC.

Thanks to our sponsor:

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovski and Popeo, P.C.

9:00am – 12:00pm

Corporate Connections Interviews

10:00am – 11:30am

Speed Mentoring

CMCP connects you to potential mentors for a speedy “get acquainted” conversation that could boost your career and professional network to the next level.  

 Mentees will have access to a diverse panel of accomplished, self-elected mentors and can choose between mentors and topics during a “lightning round” of small group meetings. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with your community and build your network. 

Thanks to our sponsor:

Latham & Watkins LLP

12:00pm – 1:00pm

Break

1:00pm – 2:00pm

Breakout Sessions (Concurrent)

Session 4A

You Picked a Stressful Career, Now What?

Attorneys are constantly placed in high-pressure environments and faced with ever-increasing demands from both internal and external clients. This stress and anxiety can potentially lead to burnout, substance abuse, and other grave outcomes.

Learn strategies and tips to help decrease stress and anxiety, find time for self-care, cope in the face of a pandemic, and explore workplace wellness programs that can help improve diverse attorneys’ well-being.

CA MCLE: 1.0 hour (includes 0.5 hour of Competence Issues credit)

Session 4B

Diversity within Diversity: Identity, Intersectionality and Belonging in the Workplace

This interactive session will explore why the ways we define ourselves across social and political identities play a key role in diversity and inclusion efforts.

Leaders will be empowered to create environments that inspire authenticity and a sense of belonging for their teams and themselves.

CA MCLE: 1.0 hour (Recognition and Elimination of Bias credit)

Session 4C

"Know Your Peers" Practice Groups

How has professional life changed since the COVID-19 pandemic? Let’s discuss in virtual roundtables:

  • Practice and industry-specific problems caused by COVID-19 
  • Work-from-home policies 
  • Leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic to make career changes or enhance career opportunities
  • Preparing for similar interruptions in business

Thanks to our sponsor:

Alston & Bird LLP

2:00pm – 2:15pm

Break

2:15pm – 3:15pm

From the Desk of the General Counsel

Corporate Leaders Reflect on the Future.

3:15pm – 4:00pm

CMCP2020 Closing Reception

Thanks to our sponsor:

Bank of the West

Thank you for joining CMCP2020

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© 2020 CMCP | California Minority Counsel Program.