What Employers Need to Know to Mitigate Risks in Light of the New Government's DEI Directives

We will explain and simplify the flurry of Executives Orders and DOJ directives that are targeting what they term “illegal DEI,” and threatening increased investigation and litigation against employers. We will analyze how these directives fit into the existing legal landscape of federal, state, and local antidiscrimination laws and federal contracting laws. We will also discuss how these directives may impact workplace culture and employers’ ability to productively manage the workforce, along with the trends we are seeing and the risks to all employers, including large and small companies, higher education institutions, and non-profits.

Matthew M. Durham, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP 
Aaron Goldstein, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP 
Alex Hontos, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Jack Sullivan, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Nisha Verma, Partner & Moderator, Dorsey & Whitney LLP

11:05 am – 12:05 pm CT

Despite the significant uncertainty presented by the new DEI directives, we have specific, concrete recommendations and guidance for employers seeking to minimize not only their risk of liability but also their risk of being targeted by DOJ, state attorneys general, whistleblowers, and plaintiffs’ attorneys. Instead of panicking and entirely scrapping long-standing diversity programs and initiatives, employers will learn how to conduct an independent DEI review, including how to best establish and maintain privilege, what to prioritize first, and how to document recommended changes.

Christopher A. DeLong, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Nicole Engisch, Partner & Moderator, Dorsey & Whitney LLP 
Beth Forsythe, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP 
Caitlin L.D. Hull, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Jillian Kornblatt, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP