Webinar - Embracing and Empowering Our Diverse Talent: Lessons from the Outside

Moderator/Speaker

Ruben Gonzalez, Associate at Faegre Drinker
Litigator Ruben Gonzalez embraces disruptive innovation in the legal world as an opportunity to optimize services and benefit clients. Ruben has over 10 years of client-focused, results-oriented performance through his time in management consulting and legal service. Ruben defends medical device manufacturers from claims sounding in design defect and assists pharmaceutical clients navigate internal investigations and complex regulatory frameworks. Ruben is also Co-Chair of the Faegre Drinker Diversity Collective, Faegre Drinker’s Diverse Lawyers and Senior Professionals Resource Group.

Panelists

Rudhir Krishtel, Founder of Krishtel Coaching
Rudhir Krishtel is the founder of Krishtel Coaching. Prior to becoming an executive and facilitator, Rudhir practiced law for 15 years as a federal clerk, patent litigation partner at a large law firm, and then as senior patent counsel at Apple. His lawyer days led him to train as a teacher for yoga and mindfulness meditation, and as a professional coach and leadership instructor to serve as a support for the legal community. Rudhir coaches clients and hosts workshops to identify the issues that hold lawyers back from advancing in their career with clarity and fulfillment. He specializes in creating the space for having difficult conversations and growth at the intersection of leadership, well-being and diversity, equity and inclusion issues. Through work with groups of individuals, Rudhir leads his team to transform the professional workplace.

Maria Lewis, Chief Diversity Officer of Faegre Drinker
As Faegre Drinker’s chief diversity officer, Maria Lewis provides vision and leadership for promoting and instilling a firm culture that builds, values and supports diversity and inclusion. In partnership with firm leadership, Maria serves as the champion for the firm’s overall diversity and inclusion initiatives by developing and facilitating strategies, decision making, priority setting and actions necessary to advance diversity and inclusion at all levels. She also serves the firm’s clients by providing litigation counsel on challenging employment issues in the workplace and conducting corporate training programs to improve workplace culture and reduce legal risks.
     
Elizabeth Lopez, Managing Counsel – Litigation at United Airlines, Inc.
Elizabeth Lopez is Managing Counsel – Litigation for United Airlines’ Legal Department. At United, she supports all areas of the business with regard to pre-litigation and litigation advice. Elizabeth’s practice includes complex commercial claims, including antitrust and unfair competition claims, complex contract disputes and business torts, and class action litigation. In addition, Elizabeth provides counsel to the company regarding general risk management. As a rising future leader, Elizabeth was one of about 30 employees across the company to be selected for United’s 2018-19 RISE leadership program.
     
James Walker, SVP, Integrated Media Strategy at Weber Shandwick
James is a Senior Vice President of Integrated Media & Washington, D.C. Digital Practice Lead at the global communications agency Weber Shandwick. His client portfolio crosses public affairs, corporate, and consumer brand campaigns, and he has deep experience in developing and executing integrated media strategies, with clients in the US, Europe and Asia. In addition to leading the DC Digital Practice, James is also the founder of NOIR, Weber Shandwick’s ERG geared to Black employees.