Being the First: Creating a Law Firm Culture Where Newcomers Can Thrive

How is the law firm experience different for someone that has never set foot in a corporate or law firm setting? For someone who does not have any lawyers, professionals, or even anyone that has gone to college in their family? How about for an immigrant, or a child of immigrants that is also navigating a different culture or being between two cultures?

In this one-hour program, Diego Carvajal from VallotKarp Consulting explores what it means to "be the first" - the first person in a family to go to college or law school, first-generation immigrant, first professional, etc. While the responsibility of "being the first" can sometimes motivate and inspire people, it can also put a lot of undue pressure on professionals who are already navigating a challenging profession, difficult economic circumstances, and uncertain times.

Drawing from personal experience, his work with law firms, and current research, Diego will discuss some of the dynamics that can occur when these professionals enter law firms. What are some common experiences?  What are some potential challenges and opportunities? And what can law firms do to leverage the strengths of these professionals?

Learning Objectives:

1. Review what it means to "be the first" in a law firm setting 

2. Explore some of the challenges and opportunities of "being the first" in a law firm environment  

3. Identify ways that law firms can build an environment for newcomers to thrive