The ALICE Lawyers Summit will take place in Cologne on November 19, 2016, the first event of its kind in Germany. If the LGBTI trio, law and career are topics close to your heart, you should definitely go.
Alice Nkom is a courageous woman: the Cameroonian lawyer has been campaigning for the protection and rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTI) people for decades, founded an organization specifically for this purpose and defends accused victims. Because homosexual acts are illegal in the African country, the law threatens a prison sentence of up to five years.
The fact that the Lawyers' Summit ALICE gave itself its name is a small homage and points precisely to what it is about: the increased visibility of LGBTI people in the world of work. And this is especially true in an industry that at first glance would not necessarily have been expected to have a growing commitment to diversity. The event, a mix of career fair and networking spot, is aimed primarily at LGBTI students, trainees and qualified lawyers under the motto “Finding Unicorns – Connecting LGBTI Lawyers”.
Homophobic law firms – no thanks
»The legal world wasn't really on my radar at all. Conservative and maybe even a bit boring – that’s what I associated with it,” says Stuart Cameron, head of the project and also organizer of Sticks & Stones. Proud, open companies for which employee diversity is expressly desired have been presenting themselves at the Berlin career fair for several years. »More law firms took part every year. Many lawyers - including straight people - have also told me that a law firm that is homophobic would not be an option for them as an employer. What is important, however, is open appreciation. That doesn't mean that you have to run through the office with the rainbow flag. But in an open law firm you can bring your partner with you and can talk about your private life during your lunch break in a relaxed manner and without shyness." Companies for which this is part of their philosophy have a much easier time finding talent and are also demonstrably profitable more successful.
Network, discuss and meet open companies
So it's high time for a platform like ALICE, the first event of its kind in German-speaking countries. After its premiere in 2015, it will take place this year on November 19th in Cologne. Networking is at the forefront, accompanied by exciting lectures, panels and workshops about LGBTI, law and careers. How can “marriage for all” be implemented? How do you deal with the issue of coming out in the office? Which LGBTI legal networks are there? And how does a transition actually work, for example when a lawyer becomes a lawyer? All questions that are up for discussion. In addition, one-on-one discussions can of course also be held with participating law firms such as Latham & Watkins, the Foreign Office or White & Case.
The model for ALICE is an event in the USA, where things have already come a long way in the legal world when it comes to LGBTI people: the Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair, the largest event for LGBTI lawyers, has been taking place there for years, with up to 2,000 visitors and 800 law firms. Diversity as part of corporate culture is very important in the USA. Law firms that do not openly acknowledge this and are not committed to it run the real risk of losing clients. This practice is slowly spreading to Europe.
"I love change," says Stuart Cameron, who knows from his own experience exactly what it's like to not be outed in the workplace and to have to hide. At some point, however, he simply “got fed up” with it.
If the LGBTI trio, law and career are topics close to your heart, you should definitely go to ALICE.
