Helene Horn Figman, an employment law specialist and attorney of the Law Offices of Helene Horn Figman, P.C., presented a two-day Unconscious Bias Education Awareness Program to The Arc of Brocktonlast month. Charles E. Walker, Jr., Esq. (a former Chief of Enforcement and Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure, Former Chairman and Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination, General Counsel to the Secretary of Elder Affairs and a former assistant attorney general), served as Figman’s guest collaborator for the program.

The program focused on what unconscious bias is, how to recognize these biases within yourself, and how to override these biases, especially within a workplace environment. Figman and Walker led attendees in participatory exercises and discussions that fostered deeper empathy, recognition, and self-awareness.

Figman is an attorney with over 30 years of experience with employment law and human resources matters. She has served as an Administrative Hearings Officer for the Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination. Attorney Figman has hands-on experience creating personnel policies and trainings that are tailored to the specific needs of each of her client’s unique businesses, addressing significant subjects such as social media and workplace violence as well as anti-discrimination and anti-harassment trainings in addition to her unconscious bias education programs.

Walker is a retired government attorney who currently serves as a mediator/arbitrator, adjunct professor with New England/Boston School of Law and the UMass-Dartmouth School of Law, Title VII and IX investigator, and employment discrimination specialist. He has received numerous state and civic awards for his work in civil rights enforcement.

“This type of awareness is so important to recognize and discuss, and is part of our commitment to expanding our diversity and inclusion efforts,” said Jay Lynch, director of The Arc of Brockton. “We appreciate the thoughtful, inspiring, and educational program Attorneys Figman and Walker offered our staff.”

“The Arc of Brockton is ahead of the curve in educating its employees about unconscious bias awareness and the organization has a continuing commitment to diversity,” said Figman. “Although Starbucks’ recent publicity for this kind of employee training received much attention, it’s crucial for any organization – big and small – to be thinking about these topics, recognize the need to address this important issue, and educate their employees – for the benefit of all.”

About The Law Offices of Helene Horn Figman, P.C.

The Law Offices of Helene Horn Figman, P.C. focuses exclusively in the areas of employment law and human resource management; a key focus of her practice is the presentation of anti-harassment, anti-discrimination and unconscious bias training.

A member of the Massachusetts Bar for over 30 years, Attorney Figman has successfully litigated before all courts in Massachusetts and the United States District Court. As a former Administrative Hearings Officer for the M.C.A.D., she has presided over all full evidentiary hearings related to workplace discrimination; her decisions are published in the Massachusetts Discrimination Law Reporter. She currently defends employers in actions brought before the M.C.A.D.

Attorney Figman is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Arizona. She is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, 1st Circuit, and before the United States Supreme Court.

The firm maintains offices at 45 Bristol Drive, Suite 207, South Easton, Massachusetts 02375. For more information, please call 508-238-2700, email hfigman@figmanlaw.com, or visit www.figmanlaw.com.