Practical Insights on AI, Automation and Ethics / The DEI Landscape - Legal Challenges and Their Impact in the Judicial System
A cross-practice group of Vorys partners — including Alycia Broz, Whitney Gibson, Carey Jordan and Janay Stevens — spoke at AI and DEI: How to Adapt, Automate and Adjust as Times Change at The Aviator Cleveland on October 28.
The event, hosted by the Association of Corporate Counsel Northeast Ohio, provided an in-depth exploration of key ethical issues in the legal practice, including outside counsel guidelines, civility and joint representation, with particular emphasis on topics tied to AI and DEI. The program was divided into two parts:
Practical Insights on AI, Automation and Ethics
In this discussion, the group discussed how legal teams are applying AI and automation to drive efficiency, streamline operations and deliver greater value within the boundaries of their ethical obligations. Drawing on their experience advising clients from across sectors, including those with affiliated and tech-driven business lines, they provided practical insights into what is working, what is not and where they believe the future of legal is headed.
The DEI Landscape – Legal Challenges and Their Impact in the Judicial System
This session explored how recent federal legal developments and judicial scrutiny of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives are shaping broader conversations about justice, fairness and legitimacy within the U.S. legal system. The group discussed how, presently, there are competing interpretations of what is lawful in the DEI landscape — the law says one thing, public opinion says another and the presidential administration has issued executive orders and agency directives seemingly intended to change the law. They discussed that, as courts increasingly weigh in on the constitutionality and legality of DEI-related employment practices, in-house counsel must not only ensure compliance but also understand how these legal outcomes influence public perceptions of fairness and the credibility of the judiciary. In-house counsel is at the forefront and, with a rapidly evolving legal and public opinion landscape, compliance in this area is rife with legal and ethical issues, both under the law and the rules of professional conduct. This session provided strategic guidance for navigating the intersection of legal compliance, ethical responsibility and public accountability in today’s evolving judicial landscape.
