Speaker:  Michelle P. Wimes, Director of Professional Development and Inclusion, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Program:  21st Century Strategies:  Creating a Diverse and Inclusive Work Environment

Michelle P. Wimes serves as the Director of Professional Development and Inclusion at Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C., one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms. In her role, Michelle leads the firm’s efforts to recruit, orient, retain, promote and advance a diverse group of attorneys across the firm’s national platform of 41 offices in the U.S. and the Caribbean. Additionally, she leads the training of the firm’s attorneys and staff by developing and implementing performance management practices and professional competencies. Michelle is based in Ogletree Deakins’ Kansas City office.

 Michelle recently completed a two year term on the Executive Board of the Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals, a national organization dedicated to improving diversity in the legal profession. Additionally, Michelle is a nationally renowned presenter on professional development, diversity and inclusion issues in the workplace on topics such as, “Engaging Decision-makers and Practice Group Leaders in Diversity and Inclusion Efforts;” “Aligning Associate Competencies and Diversity Principles;” and “Reconciling Diversity, Inclusion & Meritocracy: Challenges & Opportunities.” She has presented before organizations such as the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, the Center for Legal Inclusiveness, the National Association of Legal Professionals, the National Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, and the Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals.

Sponsor:  Secretary at Law