Minority Counsel Program

In 1998, a program was developed to encourage corporations to retain lawyers of color for legal services. Originally called the Minority Counsel Demonstration Program, the Minority Counsel Program (MCP) had a vision that would be guided by the needs of our members, marketplace dynamics, and strong leadership with an eye toward full and equal participation in the legal profession by all. Our success is determined by the strength of the commitment of corporations and law firms to the goal of diversity. Through their commitment, our members demonstrate the value of diversity in the marketplace.

Today, the Minority Counsel Program continues to promote diversity in the legal profession through education and by building relationships between corporations and lawyers who are racially and ethnically diverse. The program meets twice a year bringing together in-house lawyers and potential outside counsel for an array of CLE Programming, Professional Workshops, Roundtable Discussion and Networking Events as well as elite programs.

AGENDA – AT – A - GLANCE

October 28, 2009
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm	On-site Registration
Registrants will pick up materials and badge. On-site Registration will be available. No cash payments accepted.
5:00 pm - 6:30pm	Conference of Minority Partners Reception @ TBD
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm	Conference of Minority In-House Counsel @ Sens Restaurant
October 29, 2009
7:00 am - Noon	On-site Registration
Registrants will pick up materials and badge. On-site Registration will be available. No cash payments accepted.
8:00 am - 9:00 am	Networking Breakfast w/ *Keynote Speaker:* *Drucilla Ramey,* Dean of School of Law, Golden Gate University
9:15 am – 10:45 am	Roundtable Discussions
Round A: Balancing Board Liability and Fiduciary Obligations in Today's Economic Landscape
Round B: Ten Mistakes Employers Can't Afford to Make: A Look at the 2009 EEOC Enforcement Trends and Case Law Developments.
Round C: Partnering to Promote Diversity at the Trial: Bringing Diverse Talent into the Courtroom.
11:00 am – 12:30 pm	Roundtable Discussions
*Round A:* How Will the False Claims Act, Qui Tam, Sarbanes-Oxley and Fraud Enforcement Impact Your Company?
Round B: Wage and Hour Class Actions: Latest Developments and Emerging Strategies.
Round C: TBD
12:30 am – 1:45 pm	Networking Luncheon w/ *Keynote Speaker: TBA*
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm	Plenary Session I: Turning Lemons into Lemonade: A Step By Step Guide for Converting Contacts into Clients.
4:15 pm - 6:30 pm	Networking Event: Wii Rock & bowl Tournament
*SPONSORED BY WAL MART**
October 30, 2009
8:30 am – 9:30 am	Networking Breakfast w/ *Keynote Speaker:* *Therese Leone,* Vice-President & General Counsel, Mills College
9:45 am – 11:45 am	Plenary Session II: What Keeps Your General Counsel Awake During an Economic Downtown?
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm	Networking Luncheon w/ *Keynote Speaker:* Maribel Medina, General Counsel, San Francisco Unified School District

Get Involved!

Membership

Renewals
Corporate Participation
Governmental Bodies/Other Agencies
Lawyer and Law Firm Participation

Volunteer Opportunities
Sponsorship Opportunities
CLE Program Proposals (CLOSED)
FAQ’s

CLE Programs at MCP

Are you interested in leading a CLE session at an upcoming MCP meeting or speaking on a panel? Here are some things you may need to know:

You must be a partner, associate or otherwise affiliated with a law firm that is currently an MCP Member in good standing.
If selected, you will serve as the Program Chair for that specific CLE program.
As the Program Chair, you will be responsible for the following:

Developing a program topic;
Submit a program title and description;
Creating written materials for the program in order to serve CLE accreditation;
Indentifying and confirming in-house lawyers ONLY as panelists;
Arranging the participation of at least 3-5 in-house counsel lawyers as your panelists;
Securing speaker releases, bios, registration materials and any supplemented written materials, etc. from the panelists on your program; and
Moderating the panels and facilitating the discussion.

Still interested? Please contact us at:

American Bar Association
Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession
Attn: Aracely Munoz Petrich, Director
321 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60654-7598

Or, fax it to (312) 932-5638 or e-mail to petricha@staff.abanet.org

Goal III : The State of Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the ABA

Executive Summary
Full Goal Report

Upcoming Events

Fall Minority Counsel Program
October 28-30, 2009
Hyatt Regency San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

Register Today

2009-2010 MCP Member Law Firms

Alston & Bird LLP
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Chan Law Group
Concepcion Sexton & Martinez
Crowell Moring
Fitzgerald Abbott & Beardsley LLP
Halton & Doan
Katten Muchin Rosenman
Lam, Lyn & Philip PC
Nixon Peabody LLP
Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold LLP
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
Yukenvich Calfo & Cavanaugh

2009-2010 MCP Member Corporations

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
Microsoft
Psychemedics Corporation
Wal-Mart