Workforce Diversity


The Coca-Cola Company on Leveraging Diversity in Legal Services


John Lewis, Senior Managing Counsel - Litigation at The Coca-Cola Company. Diversity in the legal workforce would give Counsel the full range of viewpoints necessary for superior decision-making in a highly globalized business setting. A speaker at the marcus evans Chief Li- tigation Officer Summit Spring 2011 in Hollywood, Florida, March 24-26, Lewis highlights how diversity is critical and how best to align it with business goals.


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Why do you consider diver- sity in the legal team to be critical?


John Lewis: In the US there is an un- precedented demographic shift underway, with “minority” groups such as Latinos and Asians continuing to grow in size, vi- sibility, and economic and political clout. Increased globalization, an emerging middle class in the BRIC countries and different economic and political factors are changing the face of business. Together with the proliferation of technology, the


he new business environment calls for a heightened understanding of cultural and ethnic drivers”, says


Web and social media will add to the com- plexity of practicing law and defending litigation risks in large companies. This will require heightened understanding of cultural and ethnic drivers, and looking at risks through different lenses. As we move into the 21st century bu-


siness environment, we have to be purpo- seful, and change the way we seek and re- cruit talent. Legal Counsel have to look in non-traditional places to find people with different competencies, backgrounds and language skills. Talent should be diverse in terms of gender, generation and ethni- city. This will ensure the full spectrum of viewpoints at the decision-making table.


How does diversity fit into your legal team?


John Lewis: Diversity is one of the


lens through which we approach legal and business problems. It informs how we deal with government entities, regu- latory agencies, business constituencies, business partners and other stakeholders. Diversity has become part of the calculus that determines how we manage risks and make decisions. Risks come from a host


About the Chief Litigation Officer Summit Spring 2011 This unique forum will take place at The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, Flo-


rida, 24-26 March, 2011. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution pro- viders to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The summit includes presenta- tions on budget maximization, managing e-Discovery and successful case management. For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event


website at www.chieflitigationofficersummit.com/JohnLewisInterview Please note that the summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.


About marcus evans Summits marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-


makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced – kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com


24 www.blackeoejournal.com


What is the best way of align- ing diversity goals to business goals?


John Lewis: Managing a diverse team


requires some additional level of focus and cultural intelligence. That includes taking into account factors based on reli- gion, ethnicity, and what motivates or de- motivates a team from achieving desired goals. It is important to listen to and value


different perspectives. For instance, while young lawyers might bring additional per- spective on technology and social media, more seasoned colleagues bring experien- ce and perspective based on past history. Having both at the decision making table is not just about generation diversity but also enables the most well rounded and robust thinking to a given question. The key is to listen and leverage the talents of everyone on the team in order to arrive at the best solution. A 360-degree approach in decision-making, better positions our


company for achieving business goals. Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division press@marcusevanscy.com


The Black E.O.E. Journal


John Lewis


of different backgrounds so a diverse le- gal team helps us make better informed decisions. Our team is reflective of the consumer base that our company serves. Not taking that into account would be a significant long-term strategic mistake.


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