Diversity Is Good Business: Practical Benefits for Firms, Including Improved Employee Satisfaction and Retention, and Revenue Growth

Danny M. Howell
Danny M. Howell | Howell & Rowlett PLLC

Danny Howell has been representing attorneys in professional liability suits, ba investigations and complaints, and disbarment actions before the federal courts and the United States Patent & Trademark Office, for 30 years. Danny also has an extensive insurance coverage practice in the areas of professional liability and commercial general liability insurance. He has lectured and published extensively on legal ethics and insurance topics.

On-Demand: April 24, 2025

2 hour CLE

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Program Summary

When we reach out to a broader source of candidates for employment, adopt interview and evaluation methods that promote fairness, and take steps to reduce bias in decisions regarding evaluations, compensation and promotion, greater diversity results. More diversity can produce financial benefits both in terms of increased revenue and greater employee satisfaction, which reduces the high cost of employee attrition. The course examines methods to make the hiring process fairer and more accessible, and policies designed to promote job satisfaction through reduction of bias and flexible approaches to compensation, distribution of assignments, and mentoring. Also covered are best practices to guard against anti-diversity lawsuits.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Obstacles to Diversity in the Legal Profession
  • The Business Case for Law Firm Diversity
  • What Research Says About Diversity and Profitability
  • Promoting Diversity: How Do We Change
  • Anti-Bias Training That Works
  • Backlash Against Diversity
  • Best Practices for Law Firms with Diversity Programs
  • Insurance Considerations

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Danny-M.-Howell_Law-Offices-of-Danny-M.-Howell,-PLLC_myLawCLEDanny M. Howell | Howell & Rowlett PLLC

Danny Howell has been representing attorneys in professional liability suits, bar investigations and complaints, and disbarment actions before the federal courts and the United States Patent & Trademark Office, for 30 years. Danny also has an extensive insurance coverage practice in the areas of professional liability and commercial general liability insurance. He has lectured and published extensively on legal ethics and insurance topics.

Danny is admitted to practice and has practiced extensively in the state courts in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Sixth, and Federal Circuits, the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland, and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. He has also appeared pro hac vice in federal court cases in the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of New York and the District of Minnesota.

From 2003 through 2016, Danny was a partner with the McLean, Virginia office of Richmond-based Sands Anderson, P.C. He joined Sands as part of its 2003 merger with Schraub Howell & Company, Chartered, where he served as managing partner. In 2016 Danny opened the Law Offices of Danny M. Howell, PLLC, a five-attorney litigation boutique in McLean, Virginia.

Danny carries an AV® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell. He was a 2007 Fellow of the National Institute for Teaching Ethics and Professionalism and has served as an Adjunct Professor with the University of Richmond’s.Danny carries an AV® Peer Review Rating by Martindale Hubbell. He was a 2007 Fellow of the National Institute for Teaching Ethics and Professionalism and has served as an Adjunct Professor with the University of Richmond’s.

Agenda

I. Obstacles to Diversity in the Legal Profession | 2:00pm – 2:15pm

II. The Business Case for Law Firm Diversity | 2:15pm – 2:30pm

III. What Research Says About Diversity and Profitability | 2:30pm – 2:45pm

IV. Promoting Diversity: How Do We Change | 2:45pm – 3:00pm

Break | 3:00pm – 3:10pm

V. Anti-Bias Training That Works | 3:10pm – 3:25pm

VI. Backlash Against Diversity | 3:25pm – 3:40pm

VII. Best Practices for Law Firms with Diversity Programs | 3:40pm – 3:55pm

VIII. Insurance Considerations | 3:55pm – 4:10pm

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