...

Members Discuss Diversity and Inclusion Efforts

US and Argentina members met via Zoom to share best practices regarding firm diversity and equality programs. Moye White (Denver), Much (Chicago), Rich May (Boston), Smith Anderson (Raleigh), Summit Law Group (Seattle), Varnum (Grand Rapids) and Vorys (Columbus) recommended a variety of initiatives, including:

  • Creating a Diversity and Inclusion Committee or Working Group that includes lawyers and staff at all levels within the firm and sets actionable, measurable goals
  • Meeting individually with black colleagues to listen to their perspective and hire a coach or consultant to meet with them as a group
  • Issuing an internal and public statement outlining your firm’s position and efforts the firm is undertaking to address racial injustice
  • Creating a Resource Guide that includes books, movies, podcasts, articles, etc. that address racism
  • Conducting leadership, lawyers and staff training and incorporating diversity and inclusion into the firm’s strategic planning process
  • Creating an internal or external diversity counsel to advise the diversity committee and/or leadership on how to effect change
  • Getting involved in legal industry anti-racist efforts such as the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance, Mansfield Rule Certification, or the ABA’s 21-day Reading Challenge