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Webinar

The Backlash Complaint; or, Equity-Proofing Your Investigation


Credit Available - See Credits tab below.

Categories:
Bias |  Credibility |  Report Writing |  Trauma |  Advanced |  External Investigators |  Internal Investigators |  Interviewing
Speaker(s):
Bonnie Levine
Duration:
60 minutes
Format:
Audio and Video
License:
Never Expires.

Dates



Description

Session Description:

Individuals from diverse and historically marginalized groups may find themselves unfairly or disproportionately targeted in workplace complaints because of employee bias, whether conscious or unconscious. In what circumstances can an investigation itself become a tool of discrimination or retaliation? How might typical boundaries we set for reasons of investigation integrity cause us to overlook double standards, power abuse, and systemic inequities? Learn how to identify and address what lurks beneath the surface without compromising investigational practice.

Learning Objectives:

Through attending this session, participants will develop an understanding of the following concepts and practices:

  1. Equity in investigations
  2. Scope definition / expansion
  3. Discrimination and retaliation

Disclaimer:

The contents of this webinar and the positions taken are those of the presenter only, may be time sensitive, and are not warranted, endorsed or otherwise recommended by AWI and are not intended to provide legal advice. 

Credits


CA MCLE

California MCLEs: 1.0



Handouts

Speaker(s)

Bonnie Levine's Profile

Bonnie Levine

Verse Legal


Bonnie Levine is a workplace investigator, executive coach, and licensed attorney representing organizations and individuals navigating workplace change. Bonnie's practice specializes in respectful-workplace initiatives, DEI (diversity equity inclusion), distributed workforce management, and sustainable growth strategies. Bonnie utilizes creative, research-guided approaches to help employers rethink legal-risk decisions in a way that aligns workplace compliance with their goals and values, mindful of systemic barriers. In 2022, she co-authored an article in Harvard Business Review on constructive organizational partnerships among compliance, human resources, and DEI functions to achieve a more equitable workplace.

Prior to founding Verse Legal in 2021, Bonnie spent over ten years practicing employment law at global labor-and-employment law firm Ogletree Deakins, most recently as a shareholder. She headed the Asia-Pacific team within Ogletree’s cross-border practice and the firm’s international COVID response, and was a member of the Diversity & Inclusion, Data Privacy, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Unfair Competition practice groups.

Based in Atlanta, Bonnie is licensed to practice law in Georgia (admitted in all trial and appellate courts) and New York (admitted in the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York). She holds certificates in behavioral economics, diversity & inclusion management, workplace investigation, and Title IX investigation. She graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and Cornell University and clerked for the Honorable Beverly B. Martin at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Bonnie is a cyclist, vocalist, keyboardist, and songwriter / arranger, and speaks Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.

Bonnie is licensed to practice law in the state of Georgia and in the state of New York