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Championing Inclusion, Ethics & Compliance: Junna Ro, Head of Strategic Legal Initiatives, UC Office of the President
Championing Inclusion, Ethics & Compliance: Junna Ro, Head of Strategic Legal Initiatives, UC Office of the President
Key insights
1. The General Counsel as an Internal Advocate.
Junna believes that lawyers are in a unique position of privilege. Part of the GC’s mandate is to ensure that those who are marginalized or lack a "loud voice" in the organization are heard and protected. This involves proactive listening and building trust across all levels of the hierarchy.
2. Compliance is Built on Psychological Safety.
A successful ethics program relies on a "speak-up" culture. If employees fear retaliation, no amount of technology or policy will prevent misconduct. Leaders must demonstrate through their own actions that reporting an issue is safe and valued, turning legal from a "police force" into a trusted partner.
3. DEI is an Executive Responsibility.
Diversity and inclusion are not just "HR topics." Junna highlights that for a legal department to be effective, it must reflect the community it serves. This requires intentional mentorship and creating "on-ramps" for diverse talent to reach leadership positions, which in turn drives better decision-making for the business.
4. Embrace the Responsibility of Giving Back.
Having a legal education is a blessing that carries an obligation. Junna encourages practitioners to ground themselves by offering their energy to those without ready access to legal services. This service builds stronger communities and provides essential perspective that informs a lawyer's corporate work.
5. Laws Should Fit the Current Moment.
Junna urges the next generation of legal professionals to be active participants in legal change. She warns against living in a time where laws no longer fit the current societal situation, encouraging lawyers to be part of the evolution of the legal framework itself.
6.Closing insight
Your legal education is a tool for empowerment; the most successful GCs are those who use that tool not just to win cases, but to win the trust of their people and build a high-integrity legacy. By focusing on the "voiceless" and the marginalized, you ensure the organization remains healthy from the inside out.
In this podcast, we cover
0:00 Introduction
2:22 Taking a break from legal work and reflecting
9:23 Book recommendations
12:11 Sharing the cultural context of your upbringing
15:16 Existing as both a legal outsider and a legal insider
17:34 Finding the courage to speak up in high-pressure moments
23:16 Defining the difference between ethics and compliance in legal
26:49 Moving into a General Counsel position at Metromile
33:55 Taking a stand against Asian hate
39:23 Advising executive teams on taking a stand on social issues
44:16 Offering advice to leaders about tackling difficult topics
44:56 Reflecting on failures
46:56 Advice for young lawyers
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