Digital White Papers

ILTA'S 2024 DE+I CLIMATE SURVEY REPORT ILTANET.ORG/DEI 4 Positive Perception of DEI Respondents overall expressed a positive view of ILTA's progress in creating a diverse and inclusive environment. A majority indicated they felt welcomed and included in the ILTA community. Relevant to the Mission Encouragingly, respondents recognized the relevance of ILTA's DEI activities, with many supporting the continuation and expansion of these initiatives. However, some feedback reflected a desire for ILTA to take a more strategic approach to integrating DEI into the overall mission. Challenges in DEI Engagement Despite the generally positive feedback, the survey results underscored several challenges that persist including the belief that DEI efforts may sometimes distract from ILTA's primary focus on legal technology. Additionally, respondents noted difficulties in engaging underrepresented groups, particularly in leadership roles and speaker selections. This aligns with the ongoing need for broader recruitment and representation across all levels of ILTA. Recommendations for the Future Many respondents called for more intentional DEI efforts, with specific recommendations including increased visibility of underrepresented groups, expanded affinity groups, and mentorship opportunities. These suggestions mirror those from the 2020 survey, reaffirming our community 's desire for greater diversity in leadership, programming, and member engagement. "I believe ILTA has always been a diverse organization, most notably in the areas of women and gay/trans volunteers and leaders. That has been true at all levels of volunteer engagement and leadership. It may not have been a formal initiative; such representation grew organically and has been long-standing. Representation of minority volunteers, which might be viewed as "lagging," reflects that of law firm legal technology roles generally, and that pipeline of talent is not directly within ILTA's control. The DEIC should be sure to promote ILTA's positive history as a foundation when it develops programming and plans for future initiatives." "We're already inclusive. Stop talking about our differences and let's just address the technology, which is the reason we all joined ILTA. There are no differences that matter to our reason for being here."

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