In this Q&A, Cisselon Nichols Hurd highlights what makes for successful diversity efforts and describes a common challenge she observes when working with outside counsel at big firms.
Texas Lawbook: From your 25 years of experience, what are specific diversity efforts that you see as more effective than others?
Cisselon Nichols Hurd: Diversity efforts that are successful tend to be in organizations where folks have a genuine sense of belonging because individual differences and unique perspectives are respected and embraced.
Lawbook: Recognizing the current political and legal environment, is it still possible for diversity and inclusion efforts to continue? If yes, how?
Hurd: Yes — of course. Folks who are genuinely committed to DEI are staying the course. At Shell, our focus on our people is foundational to the delivery of our strategy, and that includes Shell’s aspiration to become one of the most diverse and inclusive organizations in the world. Inclusion is for everyone because we value unique perspectives, experiences, cultures, working styles, etc. I enjoy working for an organization where everyone feels respected and valued for their contributions.
Lawbook: What are the factors you consider when deciding about hiring outside counsel?
Hurd: First and foremost, they need to be up to the challenge of working on complex matters efficiently. Also, I am seeking “fit for purpose” legal services, which can be different in each case — I don’t always want or need a lengthy research memo. This tends to be challenging for some lawyers, especially from big firms.
Lawbook: What does outside counsel need to know about you?
Hurd: That I have likely handled more jury trials than many of them and am very hands-on in my cases.
Lawbook: How is AI impacting your work?
Hurd: AI is definitely impacting my work — it was a bit shocking at first, but we have had lots of training, and I find it useful in terms of summarizing lengthy documents. As an environmental litigator, I must review lots of documents that tend to be technical, so I definitely do not rely 100 percent on AI due to the potential “hallucinations”.
Lawbook: How is AI impacting your work and relationship with outside counsel?
Hurd: Our law firms are required to state how they will use AI when they respond to [requests for proposals]. In my experience it seems to be having a positive impact.