Executive Orders on DEI: Impacts for Engineering Firms

Executive orders restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at federal agencies and among federal contractors have had significant impacts on engineering firms. Whether you are a business leader, legal, or human resources professional, this program will have something for you.

Join Cate McCaffrey with Gibson Dunn to review the latest executive orders and their implications for firms that work for federal clients, as well as risk management steps firms can take. Cate will present an updated version of the presentation she gave last year to ACEC to include the latest changes and court decisions.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand what federal requirements have changed and what remains the same
• Consider the strategic and practical workforce implications for your company culture
• Identify the business processes and business systems that may need to be changed along with the necessary resources to address them

Catherine (“Cate”) McCaffrey, an associate at Gibson Dunn, is a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment, Class Actions, and Litigation Practice Groups. Cate has represented clients in a range of employment litigation matters, including cases on discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination. She has extensive experience helping employers navigate the changing landscape of DEI following the Supreme Court’s decision in SFFA v. Harvard. Cate has helped numerous clients conduct privileged audits of their DEI programs, assess litigation and reputational risks, and forge creative paths to accomplish their DEI objectives in a lawful manner.