Improving Diversity in the Insolvency Industry

ABI's Diversity and Inclusion Working Group was put in place in 2019 to address issues with diversity, including racial diversity, within ABI, its leadership and our industry.

Our mission is to develop recommendations to increase diversity within ABI and its leadership, to help create opportunities for diverse ABI members, and otherwise to promote diversity within ABI and within our professions.

Click below to read an update on ABI's Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.

Read the Report
Diversity Working Group

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Because of its amorphous nature; making the case for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI&B) is sometimes a difficult one — especially in the context of consumer bankruptcy. While larger law firms and corporations have begun to embrace and incorporate DEI&B initiatives, the influence of DEI&B is far more elusive in the consumer bankruptcy context. This panel will discuss the challenges faced by smaller consumer firms regarding DEI&B and, by explaining the “what, why and how” for DEI&B, will propose possible solutions for creating a more inclusive environment.
Access the materials HERE.

Law firms, law schools, and even courts are not free from bias — the types of bias that you may be aware of, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and disability, but also some types of bias that you might never have focused on. This panel discusses how to identify and work toward eliminating these biases.
Access the materials HERE.

For all the efforts around interrupting bias and diversifying the legal profession, recent data shows that diversity continues to be a problem area in the insolvency industry. While the road to a more equitable legal profession is a long one, there are practical tools and best practices that individuals and organizations can utilize today to not only increase diversity among their attorney ranks, but also cultivate a culture of belonging within their spaces.
ABI’s Diversity Working Group proudly brings you this impactful event, which will highlight the importance of active allyship, a powerful tool in making our environment more inclusive and equitable. We have assembled a fantastic panel of attorneys and DE&I professionals that, through their expertise and practical advice, will provide participants with a brief orientation on the current state of diversity in the legal profession; new language and awareness; discussion on what it takes to be an active ally; guidance on when it is appropriate to take a stand and when it is time to stand back; and inspiring discussion on how our panelists have benefited from allies themselves.
Access the materials HERE.

This panel explores the realities, misconceptions and interpretations of the “business case” vs. the “values case” for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in this interactive session. The panelists highlight the gaps created when the business case for DEI is prioritized over values and organizational culture, and examine metrics that can measure and evaluate the progress of values around DEI.
Access the materials HERE.

Join ABI's Diversity Working Group to hear from experts on the current trends related to gender identity and pronoun usage, workplace liability issues and more.
Access the materials HERE.

The goal of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has been a frequent point of discussion over the last few years, including at last year’s conference. This panel will focus on how DEI is now being implemented in the legal world generally and in the insolvency space specifically. The panelists also will discuss how they have integrated DEI talking points into their daily practice.
Access the materials HERE.