CMCP welcomes partnering with member law firms and legal departments to produce programs or events that meet the member’s strategic diversity goals and advance CMCP’s mission, i.e., promoting professional and business development for attorneys of color.

Here are some general guidelines to help produce a well-attended program/event (virtual and/or in-person.)

• 1. Eligibility

Participating law firms or legal departments must be current dues-paid members. In limited circumstances, speakers may be drawn from a non-member organization (see below.)

• 2. Program Planning

To organize an event, the participating member organization should submit a proposal including:

• • Proposed dates and times for program. Lead time of at least 3 weeks from initial announcement of program to delivery is recommended. Online programs are generally delivered during business hours, Tuesday – Thursday.

  • Brief description of program (50 words or less)

  • Proposed speaker or moderator from member organization

  • CLE category if applicable, ex: Recognition and Elimination of Bias

Submit proposals by email to events@cmcp.org.

If you need additional information or would like to vet ideas for a program, contact CMCP’s Director of Events and Operations, Lela Woltjer  lwoltjer@cmcp.org.

• 3. Event Content and Format (CLE)

The event must be consistent with CMCP’s mission of supporting minority business lawyers in law firms. Event content may address substantive law, be law practice related, or support advancing diversity in the legal profession. For example:

• A program on current issues relevant to business attorneys, for example dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and/or economic disruption, presented by attorneys of color

• A program on building a network and professional development for attorneys of color

• CLE on an area of substantive law- such as intellectual property, presented by attorneys of color

• Events on racial/ethnic/cultural diversity; for example, diversity in the legal profession generally, or business development advice for women of color

CMCP will consult on potential topics or focus for the event, including sharing insights based on prior CMCP programs. Proposals may be scheduled or revisions suggested to ensure a wide range of topics programmed over a period of time, i.e. to avoid oversaturation of a topic.

CMCP events are open to attorneys of all backgrounds, at CMCP member and non-member organizations, except when an  event is targeted to a specific population, for example a mixer for women of color or a program designed for next generation lawyers.

• 4.  Speakers

Host members may present  at least one attorney as a panelist or moderator and CMCP requires participation of lawyers from  other CMCP member firms to provide a variety of views on the program topic. CMCP and the host organization will coordinate on recruitment of other speakers  (in-house and outside counsel) as CMCP favors collaborations with Big Law and minority-owned firms, and in-house legal departments. NOTE: Please secure CMCP consent before extending an invitation to a potential speaker.

Program speakers should be attorneys of color at CMCP member organizations (not required of speakers making welcome remarks, typically given by a senior attorney or managing partner.) In-house speakers may or may not be attorneys of color.  Speaking opportunities are reserved for practicing attorneys rather than  consultants or other professionals, except where the consultant may bring a particular expertise or perspective not available from a practicing attorney.  CMCP does not pay speaker fees.

•  5. Registration and Marketing

CMCP will facilitate online event registration, email the registrants confirmation, process registration event fees (if applicable), and email the registrants a post-event acknowledgement and survey.

Event fees for non-CMCP members may vary.

CMCP will create or collaborate on digital assets to be approved by the organizing member.  CMCP will promote the event in the weekly email newsletters (eBulletins), the website with a dedicated event page, and via relevant social media in advance through to the event date.

The organizer is encouraged to assist with promoting the event via its marketing channels to its audiences. The organizer is encouraged to re-cap the event to its employees or network, but CMCP requests the opportunity to review any article to be publicized outside of the firm or its own network.

Cancellation Policy

CMCP will provide periodic registration reports for the event. CMCP will alert the organizer if registration is not on target for projected attendance and will consult with the organizer to determine if the program should be rescheduled, or cancelled.  CMCP will be responsible for notifying registrants if the program is rescheduled or cancelled.