In this powerful season premiere, we sit down with Craig Leen, a leader in labor and employment law and a passionate advocate for disability inclusion. Craig shares his inspiring journey through private practice and impactful roles in government, including his tenure as Director of the OFCCP at the U.S. Department of Labor.

Drawing from personal experiences, including having children with autism, Craig discusses the critical need for DEI programs that embrace neurodivergence and foster inclusive workplaces. He also advocates for adding the "A" which stands for "Accessibility". Packed with insights, stories, and actionable advice, this episode highlights the transformative power of empathy, advocacy, and systematic change. Tune in to learn how we can all play a part in creating a more inclusive future.

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Craig Leen is a partner at K&L Gates in the Labor, Employment, and Workplace Safety practice, where he co-leads the firm’s OFCCP and Affirmative Action Compliance focus. He previously served as the Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) at the U.S. Department of Labor, overseeing federal civil rights enforcement for contractors and leading initiatives in disability inclusion and pay equity. A frequent speaker on disability inclusion and accessibility, Craig combines his government and private sector expertise to help organizations develop effective and inclusive equal employment opportunity programs.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-leen-1a47155b/

K&L Gates Bio: https://www.klgates.com/Craig-E-Leen

Email: Craig.Leen@klgates.com

In this episode we share some deleted clips from our first talks from Episodes 1 and 2; similarly, we share out interview with ChatGPT which was intended for our Halloween episode, but we didn't feel it was ready for the interactive discussion we're used to with our guests.

Paulina Vera, a dedicated U.S. Immigration attorney and Professor at The George Washington University, helps people navigate their legal issues to stay in the United States. Known for her empathy and bedside manner, she adeptly handles complex situations and connects deeply with her clients' struggles. She also shares the personal challenges of balancing a demanding work life while maintaining her own sanity and well-being. Join us for an insightful conversation about compassion, resilience, and the human side of immigration law.

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Guest Info:

Paulina Vera, Professor at The George Washington University Law School, Legal Associate at the GW Law Immigration Clinic, and Founder of Hermanas In The Law.

She is President of the Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia (HBA-DC) and Co-Chair of the Immigrant Legal Defense Task Force at the Hispanic National Bar Association. She has been recognized locally and nationally; she is the recipient of the GW Latinx Excellence Awards, Alma Award (2019), DC Courts Community Agency CORO Award (2019), Hispanic Bar Association of DC (HBA-DC) Rising Star Award (2019), and the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) Top Lawyers Under 40 Award (2021).

Her passion project is managing an online community called Hermanas In The Law, where she features Latinas thinking about law school, Latina law students, and Latina lawyers. She is originally from Tucson, AZ and is the proud daughter of two immigrants.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulina-vera-00a89439/

Email: pnvera@law.gwu.edu