Combatting Systemic Bias: What Attorneys Can and Must Do

Agenda / Content Covered

1. Bias and Discrimination: A Quick Overview of the Rules and Concepts
   1. Definition and Types of Bias
   2. How Do Bias Issues Affect Conduct Between Lawyers in a Judicial Setting?
   3. Laws Prohibiting Bias
   4. Insidious Unconscious and Implicit Biases
2. Common Expressions of Systemic Bias in the Legal Practice and How to Remedy the Inequity
   1. Access to Services
   2. Court House and Law Office Design and Access
   3. Choice of Non-Legal Specialists/Advisers
   4. Assumption of General Knowledge/Abilities
   5. Attorney Advertising
   6. Client Intake/Selection
   7. Communications With the Court
   8. Ongoing Client Communications
   9. Consulting With the Client on Case Decisions and Choosing the Best Course of Action
3. Unfair Advantages Granted by Systemic Bias
4. Best Practices for Attorneys: What You Personally Can Do in Daily Practice to Balance the Scales
   1. In Judicial Setting
   2. In Transactional Practice
   3. Promoting Inclusion in Small Daily Tasks
5. People With Disabilities and the Legal Practice
6. Special Note on Sexual Harassment and #MeToo

Accreditation Details:

B. J. FADEM is a senior attorney and president of the Law Offices of B J Fadem & Associates, APC. Within the area of family law, Mr. Fadem has extensive experience in handling palimony, international jurisdiction matters, domestic partners/same sex marriage, and difficult custody cases. He is an international mediator as certified by University of California Hastings Law School. Mr. Fadem is an adjunct professor at Santa Clara Law School, California. He is a certified specialist in family law by the State Bar of California. Mr. Fadem is a member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association (Family Law Section), National Association of Counsel for Children, Santa Clara County Minors Counsel Committee, Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, and the State Bar of California. He is also a member of the BAYMEC - board member and co-chair of the Policy Committee, chair - Santa Clara County Bar Association Family Law Section LGBTQI+ Committee, chair - Diversity Committee for the Santa Clara County Bar Association, and member of Executive Committee of Santa Clara County Bar Association. He was appointed by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell to serve on the San Jose Independent Police Auditors Advisory Commission and continues to serve on the commission. Mr. Fadem earned his B.S. degree from San Jose State University and J.D. degree from the Golden Gate University School of Law.