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2022 Annual Meeting Plenary Sessions Focus


As a reminder, the Rhode Island Bar Association Annual Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 23 and Friday, June 24, 2022, at the Rhode Island Convention Center. In addition to the 31 fantastic workshops and social opportunities provided at the meeting, this year, we have two engaging plenary sessions dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion topics. To learn more about each presentation, please see below. 


 
The Thursday morning plenary speakers are the Honorable Melissa A. Long, Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, the Honorable Linda Rekas Sloan, Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court, the Honorable Lia N. Stuhlsatz, Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Family Court, and attorneys Hamza Chaudary and Josh Xavier. The panel will discuss the value of multi-culturalism and representation in all aspects of the legal system, including the legal workforce and Rhode Island Judiciary, and address how organizations can attract and retain employees from a broad range of backgrounds. Panelists will also describe the mission and work of the Supreme Court Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts as well as the Rhode Island Bar Association's Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion.
 

Our Friday afternoon plenary presentation features award-winning trial attorneys Keith and Dana Cutler, partners in the law firm of James W. Tippin & Associates in Kansas City, Missouri, and co-judges on the two-time Emmy-nominated, nationally syndicated daytime television courtroom show “Couples Court with the Cutlers.” All of us are seeking to have workspaces and organizations that are diverse and inclusive, but attitudes, misinformation, and cultural differences tend to get in the way. This program is designed to discuss some of the things that can get in the way of Authentic Inclusiveness, like micro-aggressions, implicit bias, and good intentions gone bad. Keith and Dana will keep it authentic and entertaining as they help us all navigate diversity and inclusiveness.


A detailed meeting brochure will be disseminated to members in the next few weeks, and online registration will open next month. We are excited to once again gather in-person to catch up with old friends, colleagues, and members of the judiciary. This is one meeting you don’t want to miss!