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IN PURSUIT OF BETTER
“Better” by definition means “to a greater degree,” “more completely or thoroughly,” “to increase the good qualities of,” and “in a more appropriate or acceptable way or manner.” When we sat down at the end of 2016 to talk about a new, more aggressive approach to the firm’s diversity and inclusion efforts, the goal for both of us was clear -- we wanted a more inclusive experience for all of Team B&T; to better serve our clients and communities; and to increase our overall impact on the legal industry. We are now more than a year removed from that initial conversation, and “better” it has been indeed. As you will see in the following, we have certainly experienced a change that is tangible – growth in our diverse demographics, more programming and initiatives fostering true inclusion, and more women and professionals of color in firm leadership, just to name a few. At the risk of sounding dramatic, Barnes & Thornburg, a year after we met to talk through what was possible, feels different... increased in “good qualities” …better. 2
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Plainly, we are holding ourselves to a standard of excellence not determined by our peers or some other external stimulus, but by the decision of our firm’s leadership to be the best Barnes & Thornburg we can be.
That is actually our goal at the end of the day. To be better – not relative to the market, but compared to who we were yesterday. Plainly, we are holding ourselves to a standard of excellence not determined by our peers or some other external stimulus, but by the decision of our firm’s leadership to be the best Barnes & Thornburg we can be.
are stopping for a moment to celebrate some of the bold changes we have experienced since that 2016 conversation as we look forward with hope, humility and determination to an even better 2018. May we never grow so comfortable that we arrive! Diversity and Inclusion Committee Co-Chairs
Much work remains. Indeed, we are just getting started. But it is important to enjoy (and respect) the journey. So we
Bob Grand
Firm Managing Partner
Dawn R. Rosemond
Partner and Director of Diversity, Professional Development and Inclusion
OUR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE Co-Chairs: Bob Grand and Dawn R. Rosemond Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator: Kelly Atkinson
Washington D.C.
Atlanta
Dallas
Indianapolis
Los Angeles
Kara Cleary Jim Robinson
Mark Bayer
Alicia Raines Barrs Amber Bollman Cari Bryson Angela Freeman Bob Grand Ann Grayson Jeff Hopper Ken Inskeep Kari Jackson Nick Kile Naomi Kwang Bill Padgett Tony Prather Steve Thornton Heather Willey
Steve Hernandez Rachel Lerman Melanie Mawema David Wood
Leasa Anderson Eddie Ayoob
Minneapolis
Wilmington
Chris Fowlkes Lee Hutton
Jesse Reeves
Chicago Lindsey Dates Denise Lazar Laura Luisi Paul Olszowka Debby Usher
Columbus Kelly Atkinson David Paragas Katrina Thompson
Fort Wayne Dawn Rosemond
Grand Rapids Tammy Helminski Jennifer Stocker
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South Bend/ Elkhart Jeanine Gozdecki Sarah Kuhny Alice Springer
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OUR 3-PART PLATFORM
Empowering our talent
“Our focus – to be better than we were yesterday.” -Dawn R. Rosemond
Aligning our business and our values
Shaping our environment to drive true inclusion
OUR CORE • • • •
We strive to reflect the clients we serve and the communities in which we have the privilege to practice law. We define, promote, and embrace diversity broadly to foster authentic inclusion. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion permeates every aspect of how we conduct business. We are responsible stewards of our resources, taking care to use our influence, brand, purchasing power, and thought leadership to drive diversity and inclusion growth outside the walls of our firm. • We proactively seek out and pursue opportunities to better support, empower, and promote our talent. • We continuously look for innovative solutions to remain effective, relevant, and in tune with our clients’ values and business objectives.
OUR MISSION To position all of our talent to win – individually, collectively, and for our clients.
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“Our focus on diversity and inclusion is critically important for the professional success of younger women and attorneys of color here at the firm, as well as to attorneys researching whether Barnes & Thornburg is a firm they want to join.” – Angela Freeman, Associate, Intellectual Property
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INTEGRATION
“Clients are noticing and are very appreciative of our enhanced focus on diversity and inclusion. And across the firm, there is an increased awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion. It’s become cultural.”
–John Maley
Partner, Labor & Employment
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“Very few firms I encounter have opened themselves up for dialogue, critique and learning regarding diversity and inclusion the way Barnes & Thornburg has, including your management. I encourage you to keep up the great work, as it has a positive impact on women, minorities and others in our profession, which is truly appreciated by clients like me and Ingersoll Rand.”
– Angel Shelton Willis
Vice President & Deputy General Counsel – Mergers & Acquisitions, Finance & Restructuring Vice President & General Counsel – EMEIA (Europe, Middle East, India & Africa) Ingersoll Rand Company
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INTEGRATION
MARKETING AND BRANDING STRIDES
A BOLD NEW LOOK TO TELL OUR BOLD NEW STORY
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CULTURE
CULTURE To celebrate and promote our uniqueness, launched “Celebration of Our Diversity” calendar in 2017 with firmwide acknowledgements
“The firm’s decision to invest in this important initiative speaks loudly about the firm’s commitment to diversity. We are now ahead of many of our law firm peers in this area.”
“EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP GETS PROXIMATE”
– Harold Bickham
Retired Partner, Litigation
Diversity and Inclusion Committee Co-Chairs Conduct Firmwide Talent Visits
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CULTURE
2017 MULTICULTURAL LAW “TOP DIVERSITY ADVOCATE”
11-Point Jump on The American Lawyer Diversity Scorecard (2017)
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CULTURE
10 FEATURE STORIES, 14 SPEAKING/ KEYNOTE OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING:
Image courtesy of The Indiana Lawyer
Thomson Reu te
rs Legal Exec
utive Institute
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“When we talk about diversity and inclusion, it is on a much larger and more comprehensive scale. We are aggressive in our goalsetting, and when we achieve them, the entire firm wins.” – Bob Grand, Firm Managing Partner and Diversity and Inclusion Co-Chair
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