LEADERSHIP COMMITMENT

We are pleased to recognize Juneteenth as an official firm holiday.

Juneteenth (short for June 19th), a federal holiday, honors the date in 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, an event longrecognized by many Americans as marking the end of the lawful institution of slavery. To us, this holiday means more than a day off. It is a time in which we will reflect on the meaning of Juneteenth as a second day of freedom. We encourage members of the firm and our communities to actively celebrate Juneteenth – whether that be supporting Black-owned businesses, engaging with organizations that promote racial and social justice, or joining local celebrations across the nation.

The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity

As we promote active leadership engagement, we were proud to join the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), an organization of more than 400 corporate general counsel and law firm managing partners who are committed to promoting a more open and diverse legal profession. The organization’s action programs are designed to attract, inspire and nurture the talent in society and within law firms across the country, thereby helping a new and more diverse generation of attorneys ascend to positions of leadership. By producing tangible results, LCLD works to promote inclusiveness within law firms. Stan Blanton, managing partner, serves as Balch & Bingham’s representative to the LCLD.

The Leadership Council for Legal Diversity named Managing Partner Stan Blanton a Leader at the Front, an honor given to those who are publicly committed to incorporating diversity and inclusion into organizational changes that are meaningful and measurable.

The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity and Balch share a common pursuit – to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce among those serving in the legal profession. Balch strives to make an impact and foster an inclusive environment within our firm, our profession, and the wider community. We are honored to be recognized with the Compass Award by the LCLD, and I am happy to serve alongside others as a Leader at the Front.”

Stan Blanton

Partner