Presentations to and Sponsorships of Professional and Community Organizations

K|W|W attorneys regularly speak to professional and community organizations on a variety of DE&I-related topics as well as labor, employment and HR topics on a pro bono basis.  Examples of such work include:

• In February 2024, Amanda Smith presented DE&I in the Legal Profession: Where Do We Stand, Where are We Going, and How Can We Get There? at the University of Akron School of Law’s 2024 Winter Institute.
• In December 2023, as part of K|W|W’s ongoing support of Leadership Akron’s Diversity on Board program, K|W|W attorneys Jim Wilkins and Amanda Smith delivered a presentation to Diversity on Board Class 8 on the topic of legal and ethical obligations associated with service on non-profit and public boards. Leadership on Board provides leadership development, education and board matching services to advance racial/ethnic minority representation on such boards in the Greater Akron area.
• In October 2023, as part of K|W|W’s HR InsideOut series, Amanda Smith presented A Conversation about Unconscious Bias and Its Effects in the Workplace.
• In September 2023, K|W|W rebooted its client seminar, which included a panel discussion regarding the 2022 Women in the Workplace study conducted by McKinsey & Company in partnership with LeanIn.Org. The panel was moderated by Amanda Smith and included:
  • Emily M. Janoski-Haehlen, Dean, University of Akron School of Law;
  • Monique D. Good, Chief Human Resources Officer, Cuyahoga County Public Library;
  • Jacqueline Opal, Chief People Officer, STV Incorporated; and
  • Jennifer Savitski, MD, Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cleveland Clinic Akron General.
• In September 2023, May 2023, April 2023, and September 2022, Tom Green presented Compliance and Employee Relations Tips for Small Businesses at Master Classes for Small Business Owners.  The workshop series was part of the Entrepreneur in Residence Powered by Huntington initiative created by Huntington National Bank and the City of Cleveland to provide business coaching and skills training to local entrepreneurs, with a focus on minorities and women.
• In September 2023, Amanda Smith presented “Beyond FMLA: Understanding and Supporting Working Parents’ Needs in Today’s Unique Labor Market” at the Ohio SHRM State Council annual HR conference.
• In April 2023, K|W|W sponsored the Junior League of Akron’s annual “Raise a Glass Around the World” fundraiser.
• In November 2022, Michael Karst presented twelve (12) sessions of “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Workplace Professionalism” at a client’s Ohio and Indiana facilities.
• In November 2022, John McKenzie presented at a client employee retreat on the topics of DE&I and Unconscious Bias.
• In September 2022, Amanda Smith presented “Beyond Compliance: How to Strengthen and Protect Your Organization by Being Proactive and Intentional About DE&I” at the Ohio SHRM State Council annual HR conference.
• In March 2021, Michael Karst presented “Preparing for the Next HR Challenge: The Covid-19 Vaccine” for the HR Leadership Group of Northeast Ohio.
• In March 2021, Amanda Smith presented “I Am Not Your Superwoman: Debunking Women Having to Take Care of Everything” in the 2021 Northern Ohio Women In Leadership Symposium for the Ohio Diversity Council.
• In February 2021, Meg Matejkovic co-facilitated a continuing legal education session entitled “Implicit Bias: Define It, Recognize It, Combat It!” for the Akron Bar Association.
• In November 2020, Amanda Smith participated in “’Biased’ An In-Home Brown Bag Lunch Book Discussion” for the Akron Bar Association”.