2022 CMCP Women of Color Conference

CMCP strives to assemble a Committee that reflects the diversity of its members, including diverse representation by organization type and geographical area.

Unless otherwise agreed by the Executive Director, Committee members must be licensed attorneys of color employed at a CMCP member organization with 5 – 15 years of practice experience. Members may be selected by the Executive Director or considered after candidates submit an application.

Committee members must commit to attending the full conference and be able to dedicate time needed to contribute substantively as a committee member. Attendance at a prior Annual Business Conference and/or other CMCP events is preferred.

A: The role of the Committee is to help select relevant and useful topics and design panels to present at the conference.  Committee members may serve as moderators, panelists, or session facilitators but a speaking role is not guaranteed and should not be the goal for volunteering to serve on the committee.

The Committee may also be called on by the Executive Director to advise and contribute ideas for the conference.  At the conference, committee members may be asked to support CMCP to ensure the event runs smoothly.

Members will be expected to join 1-2 meetings with the full Committee to discuss the role and expectations, share ideas on potential panel topics, and to answer questions.

Committee members will form panel work groups that will meet at their discretion to develop one session/panel by choosing a topic, recruiting speakers, and creating written materials.

The number of meetings will vary based on the topic and particular demands of the program. A timeline will be shared when the conference committee is formed, and it is important that committee members are prepared to step down if work or personal obligations make them unable to actively take part in the Committee and/or panel work group.

Depending on your role within work group, you may be involved in conducting research, drafting materials, creating exercises or hypotheticals, and/or recruiting speakers.

Committee members gain an opportunity to make a specific and concrete contribution to advancing CMCP’s mission of advancing opportunities for the professional development of attorneys of color. In addition, committee members:

• Receive complimentary registration for the full conference (not including hotel and travel for in-person events).

• Expand their professional network by working with a talented pool of committee members.

• Gain recognition on the CMCP platforms such as the website, newsletters and at the event, receive appreciation for their contribution and enhance credentials.

• Develop skills and experience in designing and implementing effective programs and by working collaboratively with a range of diverse lawyers.

• Expand knowledge in an area of law, business, or issues of diversity in the legal profession.

• Potential speaking opportunities – again, this is not guaranteed. Panel selection is proposed by the panel workgroup and approved by the Executive Director, based on the best interests of the conference attendees.

If a speaker opportunity is of interest, send information on the areas of expertise about which you are qualified to speak and details on past speaking engagements to CMCP.