The Gender Equity Brief

How Design Thinking Helps Law Firms Achieve Gender Equity

Interested in having Katherine as a speaker? Let’s chat.

Why This Talk Matters

Law firms struggle to move beyond performative diversity, equity, and belonging efforts. Mansfield Certification and other programming has helped somewhat, but doesn’t address the systemic challenges women attorneys face. Efforts to level the playing field for women lawyers are now under attack and while most lawyers (and most people) want workplaces that are fair and equitable, it’s challenging to find solutions that work for everyone. The Gender Equity Brief introduces a practical, human-centered approach to gender equity, empowering firms to create real, measurable change.

In this engaging and actionable session, Katherine Porter, a lawyer and gender equity strategist, breaks down her 5-stage Gender Equity Framework, showing how firms can identify barriers, generate innovative solutions, and implement lasting change.

What You'll Learn

Who This is For

  • The five stages of design thinking as applied to law firm gender equity
  • The benefits of a human-centered approach to inclusion
  • How to apply these strategies to your firm’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging goals

Law firm leaders who are committed to fair and equitable workplaces, including:

  • Partners & firm leadership
  • Associates invested in career advancement
  • Diversity, inclusion, and equity professionals & diversity officers

About Katherine

Katherine Porter is a lawyer, law firm gender equity strategist, and founder of The Resourceful Lawyer. A former litigator with over 20 years of experience, she brings a practical, solutions-driven approach to advancing gender equity in law firms.

A UCLA Law graduate and former Articles Editor of the UCLA Law Review, Katherine is certified in design thinking and project management (PMP). She frequently speaks and writes on gender equity and human-centered design in the legal industry.

Recent Appearances