As headlines swirl and political pressure intensifies, many accounting firms are left wondering what diversity, equity, and inclusion really mean from a legal perspective and what’s still safe, smart, and compliant to pursue.

In this session, employment attorney Aislinn Sroczynski of Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld cuts through the noise to explain what has actually changed in the legal landscape, and what hasn’t. Drawing on federal anti-discrimination law, recent executive orders, and new guidance from the EEOC and DOJ, Aislinn will help firms understand where the real legal lines are when it comes to DEI initiatives.

This is not a session about retreating from inclusion. It’s about moving forward thoughtfully. Attendees will learn how common firm practices, from recruiting and employer branding to ERGs and training, can remain both inclusive and compliant, and why knee-jerk rollbacks often create more risk, not less.

Whether you’re shaping firm messaging, managing people programs, or advising leadership, this session will help you replace uncertainty with clarity and confidence.

Key takeaways:

1. What DEI practices remain fully permissible, and where firms need to be careful
2. How to align inclusion, employer brand, and compliance without overcorrecting
3. Practical steps firms can take now to audit, refine, and strengthen their approach