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NewsroomBASF Hosts Disability Conference
The conference, put together by BASF's Disability Rights Committee Chairs Betsy Johnsen, attorney at law and Kathi Pugh, Morrison & Foerster, has been in the works for six months, as it was one of the issues BASF President Nanci Clarence wanted to focus on during her 2007 presidency. The issue of hiring and retaining attorneys with disabilities has even caught the attention of San Francisco's government - both City Attorney Dennis Herrera and Public Defender Jeff Adachi were in attendance. "The issues discussed Wednesday were not those discussed in your typical CLE presentation--or anywhere else really--and are vital to encouraging a diverse and inclusive legal community here in San Francisco," said conference panelist Cristina Rubke of Shartsis Friese. "We are hopeful that this is the first step towards maximizing inclusion in this community." Judge David Tatel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District Court of Columbia was the keynote speaker for the conference. Clarence was optimistic about the success of the conference saying, "We have generated real momentum in our organization and beyond on this important part of our diversity agenda." The conference was videotaped and recorded. |