In response to corporate DEI programs facing mounting and uncertain legal challenges, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP announced their launching of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory practice group devoted to helping organizations navigate the external complexities that threaten to impinge the positive outcomes derived from DEI-related initiatives.
“DEI programs are viewed by companies as a vital tool in strengthening their organizations,” said MSK partner Louise Truong, who will chair the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory practice group. “But those companies also recognize that with the current climate, thoughtful consideration is required in the implementation and management of DEI initiatives. Through our DEI Advisory practice, MSK plays a valuable role for organizations seeking to ensure that their DEI programs can withstand legal scrutiny, safeguard their cultures, and reinforce their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
MSK’s practice group assists organizations in developing legally compliant DEI policies. Through DEI audits, surveys, and other tools, the firm helps entities implement policies that minimize legal risk while maintaining the commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that drives organizational success. Among other issues, the practice group advises companies on how to set up mentorship pipelines, affinity groups, and fellowship programs; prepares affirmative action programs in compliance with OFCCP regulations; and assists in training management on DEI-related matters.
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory practice group is an extension of MSK’s nationally recognized Labor & Employment department, which includes former in-house counsel to major companies and entertainment trade associations. Drawing on their varied perspectives—and the input of related practices such as litigation, regulatory, and immigration—MSK is providing strategic advice on the full spectrum of issues surrounding DEI initiatives.
Truong, a partner in the Labor & Employment department, advises companies ranging from Fortune 50 companies to start-ups on employment litigation and counsels them on best practices to avoid conflict. She was named to Profiles in Diversity Journal’s 2023 “Women Worth Watching” list and the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2023 and 2024 “Leaders of Influence: Minority Attorneys” lists. Additionally, she was selected for the 2023 Fellows Programs of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), an organization committed to building a more diverse legal profession. MSK is a member law firm of the LCLD. Truong is also a member of MSK’s Diversity and Hiring committees.
