In 2021, CLC introduced its first Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Phyllis Stricklan.  Prior to the creation of this position, as a law firm Director, Phyllis helped form the CLC Reducing Disproportionality and Disparity Committee [“ReDD”] which through trainings and committee work, began to build staff’s knowledge and skills on all things DEI.  Outside of CLC, ReDD members served on county wide LGBTQ+ and race equity efforts as well as national initiatives on these topics.  In 2023, CLC hired two new DEI team members including a Recruitment & Retention Specialist, Ashley Spann, and a DEI Associate, Caprial Koe.  

The DEI Team in collaboration with the ReDD committee and other CLC groups have curated trainings, identified and applied best practices to the legal work, and continued community outreach efforts in order to strengthen our legal advocacy for clients and support the great (and often taxing) work of staff.  To learn more about the work we are doing and how you can get involved, please see below.

The State Bar of California: DEI Silver Seal

In 2023, CLC was awarded the State Bar of California DEI Leadership Silver Seal. The DEI Leadership Seal recognizes legal employers with California attorneys that commit to and implement research-driven actions that further workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion.

CLC implemented the following actions:

  • Collect and maintain demographic data
  • Create a strategic DEI plan
  • Compare California attorney hire demographics to California attorney population
  • Create and share publicly a DEI statement
  • Survey staff to gather feedback on DEI efforts
  • Require annual training of employees on implicit bias
  • Integrate DEI Responsibilities Into Leadership Team Members’ Job Duties.

Recruitment & Retention

The Children’s Law Center of California is dedicated to fostering a workforce that reflects the diverse clients it serves, ensuring equitable and inclusive advocacy for children in the foster care system in LA County, Sacramento County and Placer County.  Through recruitment efforts, CLC aims to attract, hire and retain diverse candidates who bring varied perspectives, cultures, and experiences to their work.

By implementing equitable hiring practices, forging partnerships with schools and organizations that support groups that are often underrepresented and leveraging multiple diverse outreach channels (such as social media, networking events and job boards), CLC pursues access to a broad representation of highly skilled professionals.  Additionally, CLC prioritizes creating a supportive workplace culture that values and supports a sense of belonging, enabling employees to thrive professionally and personally.

The objective of these efforts is to build a team of skilled professionals who are not only representative of the communities they serve but also equipped to address systemic inequities with compassion and effectiveness. By aligning recruitment and retention strategies with its mission, CLC strengthens its capacity to advocate for the best outcomes for children.

Meet Our DEIB Network Team

The DEIB Network is a collective of CLC leaders and representatives from groups contributing to the DEI work at CLC.  This network meets quarterly to report on group projects, gauge community needs, support and promote each other’s efforts and collaborate on DEI efforts. 

Affinity Groups:

  • Latinx Affinity Group
  • Asian Pacific Islander Committee

Committees/ Focus Areas:

  • ReDD- Reducing Disproportionality & Disparity
  • LGBTQIA+ Committee
  • Disability Rights
  • Youth Advisory Council
  • Client Racial ID Cohort
  • Recruitment & Retention
  • On the Same Page Group
  • Cultural Brokers
  • LA County Eliminating Racial Disparity and Disproportionality (ERDD)
  • CA State Bar DEI Seal

Meet the Team

Phyllis Stricklan

Director of Diversity Equity & Inclusion

Caprial Koe

DEI Associate

Ashley Spann

Recruitment & Retention Specialist