Episode 9: JAMS VP and CMO Mark Smalls on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Alternative Dispute Resolution

Joe talks with Amauri Costa, Partner in our Duane Morris Corporate Practice Group, about his career doing business in Latin America and his role as co-leader of the firm’s attorney Hispanic and Latino employee resource group.

Aaron Ford, Attorney General of Nevada and the first African American to hold statewide constitutional office in Nevada, talks with Joe West about his career path and calling: to serve the public as a teacher, lawyer and elected official.

Joe West talks with Trial Practice Co-Chair Sharon Caffrey about leading the largest practice at the firm while maintaining her own active practice, developing the next generation of trial lawyers, how the firm combats implicit bias in assignments, and her advice for young lawyers in the hybrid workplace.

Austin So, General Counsel & Head of Sustainability of Armstrong World Industries, talks with Joe West about “the hot mess” of the first half of his career and how following his mentor’s advice to “ruin his resume” gave him the variety of skills and experiences needed to move up and into the C-suite. Austin also shares what led him to pursue a legal career, the importance of diversity and mentoring and the advice he has for young lawyers.

Joe West talks with Noni Ellison, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Tractor Supply, about her career path and the key to her success: finding a space where she can be her authentic self and bring all of her skills and experience to work every day.

Duane Morris Partner and American Association of People with Disabilities Board Member Mike Zullo talks about his work at the firm and with the AAPD to advocate for full civil rights for the over 60 million Americans with disabilities.

Mark Smalls, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of JAMS, talks about the importance of diversity and representation in arbitration, mediation and alternative dispute resolution.

Partner and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Joe West sits down with Yvonne Kilmer, Office Manager of the Duane Morris San Diego office, Co-leader of the Hispanic/Latino Staff Employee Resource Group, and Vice President of the Association of Legal Administrators, San Diego Chapter, about her experiences at the firm and her involvement in the community.

Joe West talks with Sherry Williams, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Corporate Secretary and SVP of Human Resources at SMI (Strategic Materials, Inc.), about her career path and the importance of having your own personal board of directors.

Joe West talks with Monté T. Squire about his career path - engineer, law school, administrative patent judge and member of the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board - and the value a lawyer with deep STEM skills can bring to a business.