What DEI Changes Mean for Employers Featuring Patice Holland
Concepts: DEI; Employment Law; Discrimination
As political forces target Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, companies reassessing their DEI strategies must tread carefully—because, while the landscape has shifted, employment discrimination law has not.
Joining me on the Emerging Litigation Podcast is employment law attorney Patice L. Holland, a Principal at WoodsRogers in Roanoke, Va. Patice shares with me what companies need to know as they reassess their DEI initiatives in light of President Trump’s recent executive orders and increasing public and political pressure.
Patice explains that while the administration has moved to eliminate disparate impact liability and deprioritize federal enforcement, core legal protections under Title VII and state laws remain fully intact. Employers—especially federal contractors—face complex new certification requirements and exposure to potential False Claims Act liability, while private businesses must weigh operational risk, employee morale, and public perception in their decisions.
We also examine the ripple effects across corporate America—from Costco and Apple, which continue to be invested in DEI, to Target and Amazon, which scaled back initiatives and faced backlash. Patice suggests practical considerations for navigating any changes, emphasizing clear communication, leadership buy-in, and careful risk assessment.
Listen in as she explains the real impact and power of the executive orders, how obligations differ for government contractors and private companies, the legal and strategic risks of altering DEI policies, and the real-world business consequences of staying the course—or stepping back.
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Tom Hagy
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Host of the Emerging Litigation Podcast
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She has extensive experience litigating cases in state and federal courts as well as in mediation. Through her litigation experience, Patice has garnered extensive knowledge in defending witness and document subpoenas and FOIA requests.
As Chair of the firm’s E-Discovery group, she advises clients on all aspects of E-discovery, including litigation holds, custodial interviews/data collection and preservation, and review and production of electronically stored information (ESI). Patice has been involved in extensive discovery matters in complex litigation in both state and federal courts. She earned her J.D. from Stetson University College of Law.
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