How Language Can Foster Belonging
January 31, 2024
O’Melveny’s Director of Diversity and Engagement Bendita Malakia discussed the firm’s DEI efforts with Law360, as well as its 2024 CLE Marathon program focusing on ability- and well-being-inclusive language. “Belonging is critically important because it’s what really makes people stay and be fully invested and thrive with their organizations ... When people feel invested, they return that investment to the organization with their effort, their energy. We at O’Melveny think it’s incredibly important for business, but we really do it because it’s the right thing to do and because we care a lot about our colleagues,” Malakia said. “Ability- and well-being-inclusive language aims to increase the support of those with various abilities or disabilities. Given that language is a lawyer’s sword and shield, we recognize the opportunity for language to be a support for our people.”
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