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Diversity & Inclusion

ALA Silicon Valley Chapter fosters an inclusive environment of awareness and respect.

Our Chapter continues to support the Association's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Statement. We provide education to legal industry leaders about why equity, inclusivity, and accessibility are important and how we can work to bring diversity, inclusion, and accessibility to the legal workplace.

"Diversity is about recognizing, respecting, and valuing differences based on ethnicity, gender, color, age, race, religion, disability, national origin and sexual orientation. It also includes an infinite range of individual unique characteristics and experiences, such as communication style, career path, life experience, educational background, geographic location, income level, marital status, military experience, parental status and other variables that influence personal perspectives.

These life experiences and personal perspectives make us react and think differently, approach challenges and solve problems differently, make suggestions and decisions differently, and see different opportunities. Diversity, then, is also about diversity of thought. And superior business performance requires tapping into these unique perspectives."1

1 Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, Business Case for Diversity

Contact Us:

ALA Silicon Valley Chapter Diversity and Inclusion Committee
(Taylor Aston-Nielsen, Darcy Diaz, Melonee Roebuck, and Debbie Sanders)

Also, ALA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Advisory Council continues to be a resource to you individually and to your firms, organizations, and chapters.

Diversity & Inclusion Spotlight - June 2026

By Taylor Aston-Nielsen

June Reflections: Building Inclusive Legal Communities Through Awareness, Respect, and Action

June offers an opportunity for reflection across many dimensions of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA). For professionals in the legal community, it is a month that reminds us that inclusion is not a trend or a single initiative — it is an ongoing commitment to understanding, belonging, and professional respect.

From recognizing the history behind Pride Month and Juneteenth to acknowledging the importance of accessibility and cultural awareness, June encourages us to engage thoughtfully with the diverse experiences that shape our workplaces, our profession, and our communities.

Pride Month: Honoring History and Encouraging Belonging

June is widely recognized as Pride Month, commemorating the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City — a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. Today, Pride Month is both a celebration of identity and a reminder of the importance of fostering environments where individuals feel respected and valued.

Within the legal profession, conversations around inclusion continue to evolve. Law firms, legal departments, and professional organizations increasingly recognize that workplace culture impacts collaboration, innovation, employee retention, and client service. Inclusive practices benefit everyone by creating environments where people can contribute authentically and professionally.

For legal administrators, this may include:

• Encouraging respectful workplace communication
• Supporting equitable professional development opportunities
• Reviewing accessibility and inclusion practices in policies and events
• Promoting mentorship and belonging across teams

These efforts do not require political alignment; rather, they reflect core professional values of dignity, fairness, and respect.

Juneteenth: Reflection on Freedom and Progress

Observed annually on June 19, Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Texas were informed of their freedom — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Juneteenth became a U.S. federal holiday in 2021 and continues to grow in national recognition and observance.

Today, Juneteenth serves as both a historical remembrance and an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing pursuit of equity and access within institutions, including the legal field.

For legal professionals, Juneteenth can inspire conversations around:

• Equal access to opportunity
• Representation within the legal profession
• Community engagement and education
• The role of law in advancing civil rights and justice

Importantly, these conversations can remain constructive and inclusive when approached through education, empathy, and shared commitment to professional excellence.

Accessibility and Inclusion in the Workplace

DEIA also includes accessibility — ensuring that workplaces, events, technology, and communications are usable and welcoming for all individuals, including those with disabilities.

As hybrid and digital work environments continue to evolve, accessibility remains a meaningful focus area for organizations across industries. Small adjustments can create a substantial impact, including:

• Providing accessible digital documents and presentations
• Using inclusive event planning practices
• Offering captioning or alternative communication formats
• Creating spaces where employees feel comfortable requesting accommodations

Inclusive design benefits everyone, not only those who identify as having disabilities.

Current Conversations in the Legal Industry

Across the legal profession, organizations continue to examine how DEIA initiatives support recruitment, retention, leadership development, and workplace culture. Industry events such as the 2026 American Bar Association Equity Summit reflect ongoing interest in practical strategies that strengthen fairness, innovation, and trust within the profession.

At the same time, perspectives on DEIA may vary widely. In today’s environment, successful organizations often focus on common-ground principles:

• Professional respect
• Equal opportunity
• Fair processes
• Accessibility
• Civil dialogue
• Collaborative workplace culture

These principles can unite individuals across different backgrounds, experiences, political viewpoints, and faith traditions.

Moving Forward Together

As members of the legal community, we each contribute to shaping workplaces where professionalism and humanity coexist. June reminds us that awareness and inclusion are not about perfection or agreement on every issue — they are about creating environments where people feel seen, respected, and able to contribute fully.

By continuing to listen, learn, and engage thoughtfully with one another, we strengthen not only our organizations, but the legal profession as a whole.

The Association of Legal Administrators Silicon Valley chapter remains committed to fostering professional environments that value respect, accessibility, collaboration, and opportunity for all.

Diversity Observances

	Diversity Observances Calendar

Other News

03/08/2021

International Women's Day

In honor of International Women's Day, the SVC Leadership Board participates in the #ChooseToChallenge2021 campaign. Learn more: Women's History Month and International Women's Day 2021

ALA SVC Leadership

Pictured:
Shelley Strong, Lisa Hild, Shirley Laboy, Jim Karkas, Taylor Aston-Nielsen, PHR, Debbie Piker Sanders, CLM MBA, and Diana Medina.

Not pictured:
Thea Wagner and Christie Ernst

06/08/2020, updated 07/10/2020

ALASVC's Statement of Solidarity with the Association's July 2020 Statement

ALA Silicon Valley Chapter supports the ALA Diversity Initiative's aim to increase awareness of and sensitivity to the differences among our workforce and to advance the concept of inclusiveness and acceptance. The Association of Legal Administrators calls upon our members and business partners and stakeholders to join us in the fight for equity and justice in America and across the globe. ALA stands in solidarity with our colleagues of color. The work to be done to dismantle systemic racism is immense. As individuals, and together as an Association, we all must do better.

You can read the Association’s full statement on recent events here.

5/09/2018

Video: What Does Diversity Mean To You

ALA's Diversity & Inclusion Committee developed a video featuring members talking about diversity and what it means to them. ALA's Committee for Diversity & Inclusion works to educate legal industry leaders about why diversity is important and how we can work to bring diversity and inclusion to the legal workplace.

Why Diversity?

The world is rich with our celebrations of diversity.

All employers should be able to create a diverse and inclusive work environment. Why? Because when business leaders and managers welcome many backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints, they create a competitive advantage for themselves. But few organizations know how to create a culture that truly promotes, embraces, and seeks each employee's unique contributions. Gallup research, as noted in 3 Requirements for a Diverse and Inclusive Culture by Ella Washington and Camille Patrick has found that in a diverse, inclusive culture, three components must be present: “(1) everyone treats everyone else with respect; (2) managers appreciate the unique characteristics of everyone on their team; and (3) leaders do what's right.

Below is a list of resources gathered by ALASVC that we hope will be helpful to our members and the legal community to enhance diversity within our organizations.

Newsletters

RECOMMENDED READING by ALA Committee on Diversity and Inclusion
White Papers/Reports/Reference Guides

The Ripple, a newsletter by Ellie Krug
The Ripple contains stories about human kindness and compassion, and as well highlights some of the challenges that all of us face in our collective attempt to survive the Human Condition. Every issue also includes an “Inclusivity Tip” with ideas about how to make your organization (and personal life) more inclusive.