Lee Watts – the firm’s director of diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) – was interviewed on the Spill the Ink podcast where she joined host Michelle Calcote King to discuss how law firms are integrating DEI strategy into core business models that impact nearly every firm department – from prospecting and marketing to recruiting and talent development.
Speaking of her own role at Bass, Berry & Sims, Lee said her focus is to “bring DEI to the table – as many tables of the firm – and create a strategic plan for DEI” at the firm. To accomplish this, she is “collaborating with all parts of the firm to make sure that diversity, equity and inclusion is part of the conversation and that we’re looking at every aspect of the firm through a DEI lens.”
When asked about how DEI has changed through the years, Lee commented that “It’s gone from filling out surveys and providing numbers to, again, more of a strategy, a differentiator, a competitive advantage, a point in retaining talent and developing talent. It’s really been helping with the business model of the firm.”
Lee closed the program by reminding listeners that “Everyone is part of the DEI program – we are all diverse. It’s not just ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation. It could be how you grew up, if you’re first generation. There are so many ways that we’re diverse. Part of making real change with the DEI initiative is to realize that all of us have aspects of diversity … that intersectionality of identities is really important.”
The full episode, “Why a DEI Strategy Is a Competitive Advantage for Law Firms,” is available on the Spill the Ink website or wherever you get your podcast content.