Deans' Diversity Council

The Deans’ Diversity Council (DDC) was convened by Beto Juárez, Dean of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, and David Getches, Dean of the University of Colorado Law School, in November 2006 to address the lack of diversity in the profession.  Dean Juárez has since stepped down and Dean Getches has been joined by Dean Martin Katz, Dean of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. 

Members of the DDC include top leaders from every sector of the legal community – law schools, law firms, judiciary, government, public interest, and bar associations. The Deans’ Diversity Council continues to act as an advisory group to CLI. It meets biannually at the two law schools.

Upcoming events:

October 5, 2010  The Council will meet at the University of Colorado Law School in Boulder, Colorado beginning at 5:30 p.m.  Rich Baer, CAO and GC of Qwest Communications, will update the Council on efforts of GCs and Managing Partners to create a model for leadership in diversity and inclusiveness.  The Council will also learn about unconscious bias and how it is creating hidden barriers in legal organizations from CU Law Professor Helen Norton and CLI Executive Director Kathleen Nalty.  For more information, contact Andrea Juarez at ajuarez@legalinclusiveness.org.

Past events for the Deans' Diversity Council:  

March 2010 The Council participated in a presentation by Dr. Anika Warren and Brande Stellings of Catalyst Research (New York) on a recent study of female attorneys of color.  To read more about Catalyst or their work focused on women of color in a number of different professions, visit their website.

October 2009 The Council was updated on the Retention Workshops by Chief Judge Wiley Daniel, U.S. District Court, who spoke about the survey data collected from diverse Denver law firm associates as well as the discussion he facilitated with corporate general counsel  and managing partners of CLI member law firms. Kelly Condon, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, spoke about Lockheed's inclusiveness efforts, their challenges, and tools they have used for the past decade to improve their inclusiveness score.

March 2009 The Council participated in a presentation by Dr. Arin Reeves, Nextions, on the difference between diversity and inclusion and the benefits of creating cultures of inclusion.  Photo Gallery of the March 2009 Deans' Diversity Council Meeting at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

Cornell Boggs, MillerCoors; Dr. Arin Reeves, Nextions

October 2008 The Council was addressed by Karen DuWaldt, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Qwest Communications, regarding leadership in diversity. Her remarks centered on the difference between diversity and inclusion, and the importance of leadership in bringing the concept of inclusiveness into Qwest’s law department through participation in the CLI Inclusiveness Network and the pilot program. Cynthia Coffman, Chief Deputy Attorney General, spoke to Council members about retention and reasons why attrition rates are lower among diverse attorneys in the AG’s Office. Council members discussed leadership and retention questions. Photo Gallery of October 2008 Deans’ Diversity Council Meeting at the University of Colorado Law School.