Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter - April 2016

D I V E R S I T Y & I N C L U S I O N Ne wsle t ter

Q UA R T ER LY D I V E R S I T Y & I N C L U S I O N NE WSLET TER

btlaw.com

1

A P R I L 2 016 A L L I N

Diversity discussion: Exceeding Expectations, overcoming challenges A Conversation with Beth Davis Beth Davis, a partner in our Atlanta office and member of the firm’s Environmental Department, focuses her practice on environmental and product liability matters. Beth counsels clients and litigates in virtually all aspects of federal and state laws related to hazardous waste, underground storage tanks, water, air, pesticides, toxic substances and occupational safety and health.

Outside the office, Beth is a member of the American Bar Association, International Association of Defense Counsel, and the State Bar of Georgia’s Environmental Law Section.

She also participates in the Diversity Law Institute, Trial Law Institute, Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia and National LGBT Bar Association and serves on Lambda Legal’s National Leadership Council. Beth is a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and the chair of the board of directors of Suzi Bass Awards.

Q: What obstacles have you had to overcome to get to where you are today?

A: I don’t know if I’d call them obstacles, but I suspect some of my experiences are unique to people with mobility impairments. My disability is obvious. Anyone can tell I don’t move like most people, and I use a rolling walker to get around. Over the years, I’ve had a range of interesting experiences: everything from overt gawking, to having people talk to my friends about me as if I weren’t present, to some workplace exchanges that would probably make an employment lawyer cringe. I was asked in a job interview when I was going to die (I don’t know, but I don’t have a life threatening, or even progressive, condition). A partner at another firm told me she’d resolved never to work with me and explained her decision with a story about getting caught between two sets of double doors with a guy in a wheelchair. She said that experience scarred her for life.

As I consider those experiences, it seems preconceived ideas of what I can or can’t do have been the most obvious challenge. I’m far enough along in my career that I don’t see those overt reactions too often. I still recognize that I may be the only person with a mobility impairment someone knows. I’m happy to answer questions posed respectfully. After all, I’m just getting on with my life the best way I know how. As odd as it may appear to someone from the outside, it’s perfectly normal to me. And please don’t assume we can’t do something. We’ve lived this way a long time and probably have figured out how to accomplish anything we need to.

“

Q: Why is diversity important?

A: Diversity is important because we live in a world of varied experiences. Inclusion helps us harness the strengths of those experiences. Inclusion is as simple as bringing those experiences to the table to participate.

People from different backgrounds and experiences can Beth Davis, a partner in Barnes & Thornburg’s Atlanta office. contribute to solutions in important and unpredictable ways. That varied and diverse contribution makes us stronger as a community, whether as a family, firm, city, or country.

From a slightly different perspective, many clients have told me they like to see diversity in their law firms. Sometimes, clients want a firm demographic that reflects their customers.

Sometimes, an in-house counsel wants to hire a lawyer with whom they have something in common. It can be an instant bond. That may be race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, etc.

From a perspective of including people with disabilities, I think there’s a lot to be gained.

Consider that we’re talking about people who carry out one or more major life functions differently than most. Some people find that off-putting. In my experience, though, most people who face obstacles have found ways around them. They did that by being determined, resourceful and creative (and probably a few other things). Those are all characteristics that can improve a community or workforce. Who wouldn’t want that?

”

... most people who face obstacles have found ways around them ... by being determined, resourceful and creative.

Those are all characteristics that can improve a community or workforce. Who wouldn’t want that?

2

D I V E R S I T Y D&I VI E NRCSLIUTSYI O awareness &NI:Ndisability C L U S I O N Ne wsle t ter How David Frazee Defines Success How do you define yourself? Indianapolis associate David Frazee has asked himself this question countless times throughout his life. Does he define himself as the man with one hand, or does he challenge himself to be something more?

“I’ve never asked anyone at Barnes & Thornburg what they think when they look at me, mainly because I don’t care that I have one hand,” David said. “I’ve never felt discounted or been without work because I only have one hand, even though our society doesn’t always accept those with disabilities. I attribute that a lot to the culture at Barnes & Thornburg.”

He challenges himself -- every day.

John Wilford Gives Back, Overcomes Adversity

“If you gave me another hand, I wouldn’t know what to do with it,” David said. “I don’t refer to myself as having a disability because I don’t see it as one. Having one hand is part of who I am and I’m not defined by that.”

John Wilford has been through a lot over the last 12-plus years. He is now giving back to the South Bend community that supported him through the difficult times.

“

”

I don’t refer to myself as having a disability because I don’t see it as one. Having one hand is part of who I am and I’m not defined by that.

David, a five-sport athlete in high school, does not define himself by his wins or losses. He knows not everyone will win 100 percent of the time.

“We all have some sort of handicap, something that makes us feel discounted when we walk into a room,” David said. “Whether it’s outward or not, there’s always something. I’ve probably failed at some things more than most people and there are certain things I’ll never be good at, jump rope and the monkey bars for example, but I always try. My parents instilled in me to always give 100 percent in everything because even if I fail, I’m not defined by that failure. I’ve learned that when you let your failures define you, the fear of failing often keeps you from giving 100 percent to your task; or worse, the fear of failure stops you from trying at all. If you’re willing to try and you’re not afraid to give 100 percent, you’re more likely to succeed.”

After realizing as a small child that his hand wasn’t going to grow, David recognized early on three ways he could choose to live his life: he can feel sorry for himself, meet expectations or exceed expectations.

Complications from a 2002 surgery left John with diminished mental capacity after being quite successful in business. As he progressed in his recovery, John was introduced to the Sunshine Clubhouse of St. Joseph County, a community center based in Madison Center that assisted mentally ill adults with support, mental health services and opportunities for transitional employment.

As part of the Clubhouse program, it took John until 2007 to gain the confidence to take a transitional employment John Wilford, left, with Phil Faccenda, managing partner of Barnes & Thornburg’s South Bend office. Photo courtesy of WNDU South Bend. position with Barnes & Thornburg for six months.

At the end, Barnes & Thornburg wanted to continue his employment and gave him an offer as a part-time facilities assistant, a position he holds today. Unknown to the firm at the time, John wanted to stay on with the firm as well so he wrote two job descriptions, one for the facilities assistant and one for the transitional position.

David Frazee, an associate in the Indianapolis office, and his wife.

“I had to work really hard to do things, from learning how to tie my shoes to playing five sports,” he said. “I failed often, but at the end of the day, I kept trying to exceed expectations and succeeded.”

David, who does motivational speaking for schools and churches, realizes that all sides have to look past the disability.

Meanwhile, the Clubhouse closed after Madison Center ceased operations, leaving a void in the St. Joseph’s mental health community.

John and a small group of advocates worked for several years to re-establish a new Clubhouse, which opened in December 2015.

Because of this and other activities in the community at both the state and local levels, Barnes & Thornburg presented John with its 2015 “Commitment to Community” award, a firmwide honor that recognizes attorneys and staff members for their efforts to improve the communities in which they live.

btlaw.com

3

A P R I L 2 016 A L L I N JMF Foundation Honors Life of Indianapolis Partner’s Son In addition to supporting individuals, Barnes & Thornburg also believes in investing in community organizations whose goal it is to help others overcome challenges. One of those organizations is the Joseph Maley Foundation (JMF), an Indianapolis-based nonprofit that has been close to the firm for nearly 10 years.

Steve Hernández Joins Leadership Council on Legal Diversity 2016 Fellows Class Steve L. Hernández, a partner in the Los Angeles office, has been selected as a Fellow by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) and will participate in its landmark program to identify, train and advance the next generation of leaders in the legal profession.

“It is an honor to be selected among this group of experienced attorneys who are being recognized as leaders in their organizations,” Steve said. “Being involved in LCLD will provide me with resources to help build my practice as well as create valuable connections through networking opportunities with peers.”

Steve focuses his practice on traditional labor and employment law and has extensive experience litigating individual discrimination and wage and hour cases, as well as class actions. Steve provides employers with guidance relating to unfair labor practices, labor disputes, and collective bargaining negotiations.

He previously worked as an attorney for Region 21 of the National Labor Relations Board.

The LCLD Fellows program is an ambitious, highly structured initiative built to increase diversity at the leadership levels of the nation’s law firms and corporate legal departments. Over the course of the year-long program, participants will be challenged to improve their professional brand, build relationships that enhance professional development, participate in corporate learning experiences, and sharpen stewardship and leadership skills.

Founded in 2009, LCLD has more than 240 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who are personally committed to creating a truly diverse legal profession.

Steve Hernández

In 2008, Indianapolis partner John Maley and his wife, Vivian, started JMF in honor of their son, who passed away at the age of 18 following a battle with leukemia. In the spirit of Joseph’s unconditional love and acceptance of all people, the organization works to build respect and acceptance through nine different programs. To date, the organization has served more than 40,000 children in central Indiana.

“Joseph lived with the struggles of often overwhelming disabilities, but Front row, John Maley, Vivian Maley, Jane Seymour. Back row, Dr. Yancy (Joseph’s pediatrician), and Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. The photo was taken on March 10 when these disabilities became the JMF was honored as one of four finalists in Jane Seymour’s Open Hearts Foundation’s educational cornerstone for Celebrating Open Hearts Contest.

Joseph’s family, friends and everyone who met him,” John said. “This foundation is Joseph’s legacy.”

The foundation’s mission is to serve children of all abilities. This is accomplished through disability awareness education, adaptive and inclusive athletics programs, service programs teaching children to support others in their communities, providing children with leadership opportunities, scholarships, and excellence in service awards to honor those who best exemplify the spirit and actions of JMF. Barnes & Thornburg has been a supporter of JMF since its inception. From lending space for events to helping staff new initiatives, the firm has kept this organization top of mind.

“A core JMF program focuses on family advocacy, assisting families with navigating special education and individualized education programs,” John said. “Barnes & Thornburg attorneys have been active educating other attorneys in Indiana on these challenging issues, and in providing pro bono guidance to families in need. Jonathan Sundheimer, who was a special education teacher prior to law school, has been a leader in this initiative.”

For the past 18 months, Jonathan, an associate in the firm’s Indianapolis office, has worked with attorneys, parents, families, educators and schools regarding the legal complexities of special education services to enable students to receive the best services possible.

“I have conducted information sessions for parents,” Jonathan said. “I have also taught CLEs for attorneys, so that we would have a bank of attorneys to provide support services. The goal is to educate

4

D I V E R S I T Y & I N C L U S I O N Ne wsle t ter the public as a whole about special needs students and enable families to selfadvocate for their sons/daughters.”

Annamarie Daley Helps Youth as Pro Bono Guardian When Annamarie Daley isn’t at the office co-chairing the firm’s Antitrust and Competition Law Practice Group, she can be found working with the Hennepin County Guardian ad litem office acting as a pro bono guardian ad litem.

“I originally volunteered in response to an effort by the then-chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court to aid the courts in assisting children who were involved in cases where their parents’ parental rights were under consideration for possible termination,” said Annamarie, a partner in the Minneapolis office.

Rep. Lewis Visits Chicago Office, Talks About Civil Rights Movement In March, Congressman John Lewis visited the firm’s Chicago office to talk about his role in the Civil Rights movement. Rep. Lewis represents Georgia’s 5th District and serves as the senior chief deputy whip, is a ranking member of the House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee and is the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Labor Task force.

In addition to his extensive political career, Rep. Lewis completed the historic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Congressmen Danny K. Davis and Bobby L. Rush, and Congresswoman Robin Kelly, all of Illinois, also attended the breakfast, along with attorneys, clients and students from Morehouse College.

To help mediate the best outcome for children, who are often dealing with disabilities, Annamarie works with parents, courts, county staff, counselors, school teachers and health professionals.

“I have been a volunteer guardian ad litem for 14 years,” Annamarie said. “The children who are in the child protection system are our most vulnerable population and often need someone to advocate for the services that they need. A guardian ad litem has the ability to request such assistance and to push the county to provide the services that are necessary for the child’s well-being. It is a real treat to work with some of the children and to attend the adoption proceedings where children get adopted by parents who can care for them.”

Mercedes Badia-Tavas Chairs Regional Conference Mercedes Badia-Tavas of the Chicago office chaired the Midwest Regional Conference for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Chicago Chapter. Nearly 300 attorneys and senior government managers from local, regional and national levels attended the conference, held March 14. Additionally, the firm co-sponsored the awards reception hosted by AILA Chicago and the American Immigration Council Mercedes Badia-Tavas as part of the diversity initiative, which recognizes and honors an outstanding Chicago immigrant and the chapter’s 5th grade Creative Essay Writing Contest winner. At the reception, the Chicago Immigrant Achievement Award was presented by Mercedes. Mari Regnier and Chihiro Maeda of the Chicago office attended the conference, and Dennis Schlottman and Eli Korer of the Chicago office attended the reception.

Left to right: Congressman Danny K. Davis, Congressman Bobby L. Rush, Richard Boykin of Barnes & Thornburg, Congressman John Lewis and Congresswoman Robin Kelly Mark Rust, left, Chicago managing partner, with Rep. Lewis

Rep. Lewis, left, and Sheilah Marion of Barnes & Thornburg

Rep. Lewis, left, with Luanne Redmond of Barnes & Thornburg

btlaw.com

5

A P R I L 2 016 A L L I N Firm Sponsors Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association’s Annual Gala

as a summer associate and I am very thankful for this opportunity.”

The firm sponsored the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association (MHBA) Annual Gala held in Minneapolis in March. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro provided the keynote address and received the MHBA’s President Award. Before serving with HUD, Secretary Castro served as mayor of San Antonio, where he became known as a national leader in urban development.

Annamarie Daley, Steve Katz and Roger Maldonado of the Minneapolis office Roger Maldonado of the Minneapolis office is a second-year board member of the MHBA and is pictured sixth from the left, next to Secretary Julián Castro. attended the event, which was also attended by numerous Minnesota Supreme Court justices, appellate and district court judges, federal judges, elected officials and business leaders. Roger is on the MHBA board.

Prior to attending law school, Alejandra was a legal assistant with a small Indiana law firm.

She received her undergraduate degree from Indiana University with high honors, while majoring in political science and international studies. Alejandra also was a law clerk with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, and is bilingual in Spanish and English and proficient in French and Portuguese.

Alejandra Salmeron Selected as Barnes & Thornburg’s 2016 Diversity Scholarship Recipient Alejandra Salmeron has been awarded the 2016 Barnes & Thornburg Diversity Scholarship.

The scholarship was created as part of Barnes & Thornburg’s ongoing commitment to diversity.

Alejandra will serve as a summer associate in the firm’s Indianapolis office. She is a first-year student at the University of Michigan Law School, where she also received the merit-based Dean’s Scholarship.

“I am honored to have been chosen as the Diversity Scholarship recipient for 2016,” Alejandra said. “Diversity is something I seek everywhere I go. For this reason, I’m very happy to be spending my summer in an environment that not only fosters diversity, but is actively seeking to expand it, within Barnes & Thornburg and beyond. I am looking forward to my time

6

“We are so pleased to be able to award Alejandra with this scholarship,” said Shannon Williams, Barnes & Thornburg’s director of law school recruiting and diversity. “This is the third year the firm has given the diversity scholarship, and we are thrilled to offer Alejandra this opportunity. She is an outstanding selection.”

The Diversity Scholarship is open to first-year law students who demonstrate a commitment to contributing meaningfully to the diversity and inclusion goals of Barnes & Thornburg and the legal profession.

Attorneys Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dawn Rosemond of the Fort Wayne office was the keynote speaker for the 31st Service of Repentance and Reconciliation honoring the life and legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., hosted by Wayne Street United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne on Jan. 17. The Minneapolis office sponsored the 26th Annual MLK Holiday Breakfast in Minneapolis on Jan. 18. Chris Knapp, Connie Lahn, Chris Lynch, Tom Mielenhausen, Scott Rothenberger, Mary Sennes, Ken Suzan and Trisha Volpe of the Minneapolis office attended.

Angela Freeman Recognized With Firm’s Diversity Award The recipient of Barnes & Thornburg’s 2015 Camille B. Conway Diversity Award is Angela Freeman of the Indianapolis office.

Angela has consistently demonstrated a commitment to diversity within the firm and in the community. Angela spends countless hours working with various groups, including those dedicated to women in science and to increasing the number of minorities in technical and legal fields. The Camille B. Conway Diversity Award Angela Freeman was created to recognize a lawyer who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of diversity and inclusion at the firm and the support of

D I V E R S I T Y & I N C L U S I O N Ne wsle t ter diversity efforts among community groups and organizations. This award was named in recognition of the late Camille Conway, a former Chicago office partner, in appreciation of his contributions to diversity efforts in the firm.

Raines Barrs, Angela Freeman, Jimmie McMillian, Rubin Pusha, Christopher Tucker and Shannon Williams of the Indianapolis office, Lindsey Dates of the Chicago office and Dawn Rosemond of the Fort Wayne office attended the conference.

Indiana Conference for Women Names Terri Bruksch 2016 Co-Chair

“Coming from the D.C. office, CYOC was a wonderful opportunity to connect with attorneys in our Indiana and Chicago offices,” Leasa said. “The conference was energizing. CYOC was an incredible networking opportunity.”

Terri Bruksch of the Indianapolis office has been named co-chair of the 2016 Indiana Conference for Women. The firm is a corporate sponsor of the annual conference, which is held in Indianapolis each November. The Indiana Conference for Women features more than 45 speakers and 15 breakout sessions across five topic areas: re-igniting careers, engaging others, giving back, harnessing technology and small-business strategies.

Tabitha Meier Elected to Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center Board Tabitha Meier of the Indianapolis office has been elected as the vice president of the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center board of directors. The Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center’s mission is to empower individuals by serving as a resource for help and hope.

“

”

The conference was energizing. CYOC is an incredible networking opportunity.

“Taking a proactive approach to our careers and identifying areas where we can strengthen our skills and better market our abilities is invaluable and learning from the experiences of others is always beneficial,” Leasa continued. “I enjoy mentoring junior associates and I delighted in being able to share my experiences and tips of the trade. The conference is well attended by in-house counsel and one of the goals of the conference is for participants to find ways to work together and help one another develop new business.”

Event Round Up Tabitha Meier

Olive Tree Foundation for Girls Holds Career Exploration Day in Columbus Office The Olive Tree Foundation for Girls hosted a career exploration day in the Columbus office on March 19. The event allowed Olive Tree scholars the opportunity to interact with 12 professional women and learn more about what they do in our community. The foundation provides mentoring and scholarships to further aid and empower young women in private school environments.

Firm Attorneys Chart Their Own Course at Annual Conference The firm sponsored the 2016 Charting Your Own Course (CYOC) Career Conference in Orlando in February. CYOC is a career development conference for diverse associates, partners and in-house counsel in the U.S. The focus of this year’s conference was “The Path to TrustDriven Relationships.” Leasa Anderson of the Washington, D.C., office, Adey Adenrele, Alicia

Barnes & Thornburg has a strong commitment to supporting our attorneys and communities in diversity efforts. This is a sampling of the events and activities the firm supported during the first quarter of 2016.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

American Immigration Council Immigrant Awards, Chicago Annual Indianapolis Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity Awards Luncheon, Indianapolis Center for Leadership Development Annual Dinner, Indianapolis Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms Membership, Chicago David D. White Scholarship Endowment, Columbus International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation, Delaware IU McKinney School of Law BLSA/HLSA Annual Diversity Dinner, Indianapolis Mid-States Supplier Development Counsel Membership, Indianapolis Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association Corporate Council Conference, Minneapolis Minnesota Mother Attorneys Association, Minneapolis Minnesota Women Lawyers, Minneapolis MLK Dream Classic, Chicago Twin Cities in Diversity Program, Minneapolis

btlaw.com

7

A P R I L 2 016 A L L I N Welcome to the following attorneys who are adding to our firm’s growth and diversity:

Diversity & Inclusion Barnes & Thornburg is committed to building a more diverse workplace and promoting an environment of inclusion through various diversity initiatives. We strive to sustain a work environment in which each individual’s perspective, background, skills and abilities are valued.

The Diversity & Inclusion Committee advises on diversity issues; provides career development for women and minorities; develops flexible work options; and serves as a liaison among personnel, recruiting and management to create an inclusive environment. Barnes & Thornburg is committed to supporting diversity throughout our communities.

Michael Battle, Litigation, Partner, Washington, D.C.

Lori Bibb, Corporate, Of Counsel, Atlanta

Genevieve Charlton, Intellectual Property, Associate, Chicago

The Diversity & Inclusion Committee collaborates to improve diversity and increase growth opportunities for legal professionals and staff firmwide.

Co-chairpersons: Bob Grand Kathleen Anderson

8

Stephanie Denby, Corporate, Partner, Chicago

Yeny Estrada, Litigation, Associate, Chicago

Yonghao Hou, Intellectual Property, Of Counsel, Indianapolis

Minal Khan, Labor and Employment, Staff Attorney, Los Angeles

Michelle Mikol, Intellectual Property, Partner, Washington, D.C.

Myriam Pham, Litigation, Of Counsel, Chicago

Cari Sheehan, Litigation, Of Counsel, Indianapolis

Abby Vineyard, Litigation, Associate, Atlanta

Clinton Yu, Corporate, Associate, Washington, D.C.

MEMBERS AT LARGE: Leasa Anderson Edward Ayoob Alicia Raines Barrs Kara Cleary Marques Crain Annamarie Daley Lindsey Dates Elizabeth Davis Michael DeLargy Angela Freeman

Jeanine Gozdecki Steve Hernandez Jeffrey Hopper Ken Inskeep Karoline Jackson Mark Kittaka Naomi Kwang Nick Kile Sarah Kuhny Connie Lahn Denise Lazar Alan Levin Rachel Lerman Laura Luisi Melanie Mawema

David Paragas Paul Olszowka William Padgett Tony Prather James Robinson Laurie Rompala Alice Springer Lisa Starks Jennifer Stocker Katrina Thompson Steve Thornton Christopher Tucker Heather Willey Shannon Williams