By C. Dominica McGinnis and Chris W. Kirby, JD, BridgeField Group

For a variety of reasons, diverse professionals are often firms’ most vulnerable members. Challenges experienced in firms are frequently felt by the diverse “first and worst.” Over the past few weeks, the legal industry shed 64,000 jobs with more cuts anticipated. How do diversity stakeholders — those concerned with or involved in firm diversity and inclusion efforts (marketers, diverse professionals, recruiters, diversity committees, allies, HR professionals, firm leaders, etc.) — keep the firm focused on driving diversity and inclusion (D&I) goals as a strategic imperative when so many other priorities are demanding attention right now?