June 18 2026
1pm-2pm EST
Understanding Neurodiversity: Building Inclusive Legal Teams That Thrive
Description:
Learn how your Professional Development (PD) team can help
create a law firm where attorneys with different thinking and working styles
feel welcome and supported. We'll cover the basics of neurodiversity - which
includes conditions like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and others - and explore
simple, practical ways to make your firm more inclusive.
In this session, you'll learn:
- What neurodiversity means and why it matters in the legal
profession
- How to help managers and team leaders better understand
and work with neurodivergent attorneys
- Ways to make training programs and resources work better
for everyone
- Ideas for mentorship programs that support different
learning and working styles
- Simple changes that can make a big difference in helping
all attorneys succeed
Whether you're just starting to think about neurodiversity or looking to build
on existing initiatives, you'll leave with clear, practical steps you can take
back to your firm. Join us to learn how supporting neurodiversity can help
create a stronger, more inclusive workplace for everyone. The strategies and
techniques we will cover have the added benefit of making your development
initiatives better for everyone at your firm.
About the Speakers:
Nicole Llorenz
Manager, Attorney Career Services
Latham & Watkins LLP
Carrie Marker
Carrie Marker, Director of Career Counseling & Planning at Akin, established the firm’s program in 2018. She provides individual career counseling and coaching on long and short-term goals to partners and senior attorneys at the firm. Her approach to career counseling combines her social work degree with 26 years in the legal industry counseling attorneys and managing professional development and recruiting programs. Before joining Akin, Carrie was the in-house career counselor at Dechert LLP. Carrie also worked as a career consultant at Greiner Consulting and is the former Director of Legal Recruiting and Professional Development at McKee Nelson LLP. Before that she was the pro bono administrator at Lawyers Alliance for New York and recruiting manager at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. She is an LMSW and MBTI certified. When she isn’t working, Carrie loves to cook for her people and travel to new places.
Jennifer Rakstad
Jennifer Rakstad is the Senior Manager, Learning & Development Manager at White & Case. Jennifer works closely with a global team and leads the Learning & Development function in the Americas region, including professional skills training for lawyers and business services professionals. Jennifer has over 15 years of experience in talent development, eight years as a practicing attorney in an AmLaw 200 firm, and served as a Judicial Clerk in the U.S. District of Puerto Rico. Jennifer has designed and delivered training programs for lawyers, business services professionals, and firm clients in the U.S. and globally, partnering closely with partners and key firm stakeholders. Jennifer is the L&D lead for the global Momentum professional skills learning journey for associates, which received a commendation from the Financial Times North America Innovative Lawyers in training and development. Jennifer is also Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coach Federation – certified through the Hudson Institute of Coaching – and oversees the White & Case Coaching Office, which provides coaching to lawyers and business services professionals globally and won the 2023 Financial Times North America Innovation award for People and Skills Management. Jennifer is certified in the Hogan Leadership Assessment and MBTI and has developed an innovative global group coaching program for senior associates focused on career and business development. As a recognized thought leader, Jennifer is a frequent writer and presenter on a wide range of professional development topics, including at the NALP and PDI education conferences.
Julie Remer
Julie has been part of the California legal community since 1998, beginning her career as a litigator at several respected law firms before transitioning to professional coaching.
She completed her legal education at UCLA School of Law and later trained as a coach with the Coaches Training Institute (CTI). Julie also received specialized training in ADHD and neurodiversity coaching from Carol Gignoux, author of 'Your Innovator Brain.'
As the founder of Amicus Coaching, Julie works with attorneys at all levels on leadership, management, and professional development, with particular focus on thriving with neurodivergence. As an attorney who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and a parent of neurodivergent children, she brings both a professional and personal perspective to this topic.